Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 15

English Translation

Hrsikesa (Krsna) (blew the conch) Pancajanya; Dhananjaya (Arjuna) (the conch) Devadatta; and Vrkodara (Bhima) of terrible deeds blew the great conch Paundra;

Detailed Commentary

'Pañcajanyaṁ Hṛṣīkeśaḥ' -- The indwelling Spirit of all, Lord Krishna, who knows the innermost thoughts of everyone (Hṛṣīkeśa), standing on the side of the Pandavas, sounded the conch named 'Pañcajanya'. The Lord, having slain the conch-bearing demon named Pañcajana, took his conch, and thus this conch became known as 'Pañcajanya'. 'Devadattaṁ Dhanañjayaḥ' -- During the Rājasūya Yajna, Arjuna had conquered many kings and accumulated wealth, which is why he acquired the name 'Dhananjaya' (conqueror of wealth). While battling demons like the Nivātakavachas, Indra had bestowed upon Arjuna the conch named 'Devadatta'. The sound of this conch would strike fear into the enemy's army. Arjuna sounded this conch. 'Pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṁ Bhīmakarmā Vṛkodaraḥ' -- Having slain demons such as Hiḍimbā, Baka, Jatāsura, and mighty warriors like Kīchaka and Jarāsandha, Bhīmasena earned the epithet 'Bhīmakarmā' (one of terrible deeds). Besides the normal digestive fire (Jatharagni), there was a special fire named 'Vṛka' in his stomach that digested his food. For this reason, he was named 'Vṛkodara' (wolf-bellied). Bhīmakarmā Vṛkodara Bhīmasena sounded the mighty conch named 'Pauṇḍra'.