Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 15 (1.15)
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 15 (1.15)
पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः । पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥ १५ ॥
pāñchajanyaṁ hṛiṣhīkeśho devadattaṁ dhanañjayaḥ pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahāśhaṅkhaṁ bhīmakarmā vṛikodaraḥ
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- पाञ्चजन्यम्
(Panchajanyam)— पाञ्चजन्य शंख(is Krishna's conch) -
hrisikesojoined in hṛiṣhīkeśho - देवदत्तम्
(Devadattam)— देवदत्त शंख(is Arjuna's conch) - धनञ्जयः
(Dhananjayah)— अर्जुन(Arjuna)
Line 2:
- पौण्ड्रम्
(Paundram)— पौण्ड्र शंख(is Bhima's conch) -
dadjoined in dadhmau - माम्
(mam)— मुझको(Me) -
ujoined in dadhmau - मह-शख
(maha-shankham)— महान(great conch) - इम-कम
(Bhima-karma)— पराक्रमी(one of mighty actions) - वृकोदरः
(Vrikodarah)— भीम(Bhima)
English: Krishna blew Panchajanya, Arjuna blew Devadatta, and Bhima, the doer of mighty deeds, blew the great conch Paundra.
Learnings from Shloka 15:
- Each role is distinct: Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhima each bring a different strength.
- Names carry meaning: Hrishikesha points to Krishna's mastery over the senses.
- Readiness needs guidance: Strength is most useful when guided by self-control.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 1.15 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
The named conches of Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhima show identity and purpose. Each warrior has a distinct role, and the sound of each conch announces readiness.
Krishna is called Hrishikesha, Lord of the senses. This is important because the chapter will soon show Arjuna's senses and emotions becoming disturbed. The guide of the senses is already present before the crisis unfolds.