Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 12 (1.12)
Reflective Prompt:
Why do we do *Griha Pravesh* when we move to a new house? Also think about: - Why do we blow conches at the start of puja? - Why do we tie *kalava*, the red thread, on our wrist during puja? - Why do we do Namaste when we meet? - Why do we burn Ravana's effigy on Dussehra?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 12 (1.12)
तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः । सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥ १२ ॥
tasya sañjanayanharṣhaṁ kuruvṛiddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ siṁhanādaṁ vinadyochchaiḥ śhaṅkhaṁ dadhmau pratāpavān
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- तस्य
(Tasya)— उसके(for him) - सञ्जनयन्
(sanjanayan)— उत्पन्न करते हुए(producing) - हर्षम्
(harsham)— हर्ष(joy or encouragement) - कुरुवृद्धः
(Kuru-vriddhah)— कुरुओं के वृद्ध(the elder of the Kurus) - पितामहः
(pitamahah)— पितामह(grandsire)
Line 2:
- सिंहनादम्
(simha-nadam)— सिंह जैसी गर्जना(lion-like roar) -
vijoined in vinadyochchaiḥ - न
(na)— नहीं(not) -
djoined in vinadyochchaiḥ - यः
(yah)— जो(who) -
cjoined in vinadyochchaiḥ - च
(ca)— और(and) -
ihjoined in vinadyochchaiḥ - शङ्खम्
(shankham)— शंख(conch) - दध्मौ
(dadhmau)— बजाया(blew) - प्रतापवान्
(pratapavan)— प्रतापी(powerful)
English: To cheer Duryodhana, the valiant grandsire Bhishma roared like a lion and blew his conch loudly.
Learnings from Shloka 12:
- Encouragement can be wordless: Bhishma supports Duryodhana through action.
- Elders influence morale: A respected elder can steady a nervous group.
- Signals matter: Ceremonial sounds mark the seriousness of the moment.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 1.12 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Bhishma responds to Duryodhana by sounding his conch with great force. His action encourages Duryodhana and signals that the Kaurava side is ready for battle.
Sometimes one respected person's action can change the energy of a whole group. Bhishma's roar is not a long speech; it is a visible sign of support, courage, and readiness.