tasya sañjanayan harṣhaṁ kuru-vṛiddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ
siṁha-nādaṁ vinadyochchaiḥ śhaṅkhaṁ dadhmau pratāpavān
tasya — his;
sañjanayan — causing;
harṣham — joy;
kuru-vṛiddhaḥ — the grand old man of the Kuru dynasty (Bheeshma);
pitāmahaḥ — grandfather;
sinha-nādam — lion’s roar;
vinadya — sounding;
uchchaiḥ — very loudly;
śhaṅkham — conch shell;
dadhmau — blew;
pratāpa-vān — the glorious
In this verse, we see Bhisma, an elderly and respected figure in the Kuru family, blowing a conch shell loudly. The sound of the conch is compared to a lion's roar, which is powerful and commanding. This action is significant for a few reasons.
Firstly, Bhisma is not just any old man; he is the grandmaster of the Kuru family. His role is important not only because of his age and experience but also due to his strong connection to his family, especially to his grandson, Duryodhana. When Bhisma blows the conch shell, he is trying to uplift Duryodhana's spirits. Duryodhana, the leader of the opposing side (the Kauravas), might be feeling anxious or troubled about the battle that is about to happen. Bhisma understands this and wants to show support to his grandson.
However, there is a deeper meaning behind blowing the conch. While it might seem like a sign of excitement and readiness for battle, Bhisma is also subtly hinting to Duryodhana that the outcome might not be favorable for them. He knows that Krishna, who is on the side of the Pandavas (the opposing group), is a divine presence. By blowing the conch so loudly, Bhisma is, in a way, warning Duryodhana that his chances of winning are slim because they are up against a stronger force—Krishna's side.
Yet, despite knowing this, Bhisma feels it is his duty to encourage Duryodhana to fight. He conveys that even if the odds are not in their favor, they need to stand up and face the battle, showing courage and commitment. It’s like a coach trying to motivate his team before a big game, even when he knows they might not win.
So in simple terms, Bhisma’s action is twofold: he cheers Duryodhana up, showing him love and support, while also reminding him of the tough reality they face in the upcoming conflict. This moment reflects Bhisma's dual role as a caring grandfather and a wise warrior who understands the seriousness of the situation.