Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 13 (1.13)

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः । सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥ १३ ॥

tataḥ śhaṅkhāśhcha bheryaśhcha paṇavānakagomukhāḥ sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śhabdastumulo’bhavat

Word-by-word guide:

Line 1:

तत (Tatah) — तत(then)
शख (shankhah) — शंख(conches)
च (ca) — और(and)
एय (bheryah) — नगाड़े(drums)
च (ca) — और(and)
pa joined in paṇavānakagomukhāḥ
न (na) — नहीं(not)
वत् (vat) — वाला(possessing)
a joined in paṇavānakagomukhāḥ
कः (kah) — कौन(who)
gomu joined in paṇavānakagomukhāḥ
कः (kah) — कौन(who)

Line 2:

सहस (sahasa) — सहस(suddenly)
iv joined in sahasaivābhyahanyanta
अयहयत (abhyahanyanta) — ध्वनि(were sounded)
sa joined in sa
शद (shabdah) — ध्वनि(sound)
उउल (tumulah) — भयंकर(tremendous)
अभव (abhavat) — अभव(became)

English: Then conches, drums, kettledrums, cymbals, and horns suddenly sounded together, creating a tremendous noise.

💡 Commentary Note

The battlefield fills with the sound of conches, drums, and war instruments. What was private tension now becomes a public and collective movement toward war.

This verse shows how quickly momentum can build. Once a group begins moving together, it becomes harder for individuals to pause and reflect. That is why inner clarity is needed before outer noise takes over.

Learnings from Shloka 13:

Momentum grows quickly: Collective action can intensify a situation fast.
Outer noise affects the mind: Sound and atmosphere can increase pressure.
Pause before escalation: Reflection is easier before events become overwhelming.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 1.13 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary

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