Verse 15
pāñcajanyaṁ hṛṣīkeśo
devadattaṁ dhanañjayaḥ
pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṁ
bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ
Word-for-Word Meaning:
- pāñcajanyam — (the conch named) Panchajanya
- hṛṣīkeśaḥ — Hrishikesha (Krishna, the Lord of the senses)
- devadattam — (the conch named) Devadatta
- dhanañjayaḥ — Dhananjaya (Arjuna, the conqueror of wealth)
- pauṇḍram — (the conch named) Paundra
- dadhmau — blew, sounded
- mahāśaṅkham — great conch
- bhīmakarmā — one whose deeds are tremendous (Bhima)
- vṛkodaraḥ — the voracious eater, Bhima (literally “wolf-bellied”)
“Hrishikesha (Krishna) blew His conch named Panchajanya; Dhananjaya (Arjuna) blew Devadatta, and Bhima, the doer of tremendous deeds, blew his mighty conch named Paundra.”
Expanded Interpretation:
Sounding the Divine Call:
This verse continues the sacred symbolism of conch blowing, now naming the three central figures on the Pandava side — Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhima — and their respective conches, each carrying deep spiritual and emotional meaning.
Who Are the Main Figures?
1. Hrishikesha (Krishna):
- Name Meaning: Hrishikesha means “Lord of the Senses” — one who controls and governs all sensory experiences.
- Conch – Panchajanya: Made from the demon Panchajana, symbolizing victory over evil and purity of sound.
- Krishna blowing the conch is the voice of Divine Will, awakening higher consciousness and signaling the start of sacred duty.
2. Dhananjaya (Arjuna):
- Name Meaning: Dhananjaya means “winner of wealth” — not just material, but symbolic of spiritual richness and righteous victory.
- Conch – Devadatta: Literally means “God-given” — indicating divine sanction and cosmic support for Arjuna’s role.
- Arjuna’s conch reflects his courage, readiness, and commitment to Dharma.
3. Bhima (Vrikodara):
- Name Meaning:
- Bhima-karma — one whose actions are formidable
- Vrikodara — wolf-bellied, symbolizing great strength and appetite for challenge
- Conch – Paundra: A mighty war conch representing power and ferocity.
- His sound shakes the battlefield with the promise of sheer physical dominance.
Symbolism of the Conches:
Each conch represents an inner power:
| Conch | Blower | Symbolizes |
|---|---|---|
| Panchajanya | Krishna | Divine guidance, awakening of higher purpose |
| Devadatta | Arjuna | Sacred intention, moral clarity |
| Paundra | Bhima | Strength, action, righteous aggression |
Spiritual and Psychological Insight:
- The sound of a conch is believed to clear negative energies and announce sacred action.
- These three warriors symbolize the balanced powers needed in the battle of life:
- Wisdom and control (Krishna)
- Focus and intention (Arjuna)
- Strength and fearlessness (Bhima)
Philosophical Perspective:
Dharma Begins with Clarity and Strength:
- Before engaging in the war of dharma (righteous action), one must declare inner alignment through clear intentions — the sound of the conch.
- These sounds aren’t just war signals — they are vows to uphold truth, with the divine as witness.
Call of the Soul:
- Krishna’s blowing of the Panchajanya is like the soul calling the self to action.
- Arjuna and Bhima respond — showing their readiness to follow divine command, rather than ego or impulse.
Conclusion:
Verse 15 shows us the spiritual power behind every true warrior. The blowing of conches is more than preparation for war — it is the expression of inner clarity, sacred responsibility, and divine resolve. It’s a moment where ego yields to duty, and divinity leads the way.
Reflection Questions:
What is your Panchajanya — that divine voice within you that calls you to right action?
Do you listen to your inner Krishna, or are you led by outer noise?
Are your actions (like Bhima’s) backed by clarity and dharma, or just raw force?