After the tumultuous roar of the Kaurava army, the Pandava side delivers its response. The fourteenth verse of the Bhagavad Gita, known as the Tatah Shvetair Hayair Yukte verse, describes this moment with profound and symbolic imagery. The Tatah Shvetair Hayair Yukte verse contrasts the earthly chaos of the Kauravas with the divine order of the Pandavas.
Sanskrit Verse
ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ ।
माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ॥ १४ ॥Transliteration
tataḥ śvetairhayairyukte mahati syandane sthitau |
mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaścaiva divyau śaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ || 14 ||Word for Word Translation
tataḥ – then; śvetaiḥ – with white; hayaiḥ – horses; yukte – yoked; mahati – in a great; syandane – chariot; sthitau – situated; mādhavaḥ – Krishna (the husband of the goddess of fortune); pāṇḍavaḥ – Arjuna (the son of Pandu); ca eva – and certainly; divyau – transcendental; śaṅkhau – conch shells; pradadhmatuḥ – sounded.
English Translation
On the other side, both Lord Krishna and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot yoked with white horses, blew their divine conch shells.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Tatah Shvetair Hayair Yukte verse is filled with powerful symbolism. Every detail is significant and sets the Pandava army apart from its opponents.
- The Great Chariot: Their chariot is described as “mahati” (great), signifying its magnificence. This chariot was a gift from Agni, the fire god, and was said to be capable of conquering all directions.
- White Horses: The horses are “śvetaiḥ” (white), a color that symbolizes purity, righteousness, and divine origin. These horses were also a divine gift and were said to be eternally tireless.
- Madhava and Pandava: The verse specifically names Lord Krishna (Madhava) and Arjuna (Pandava). This highlights the divine-human partnership at the heart of their cause. The response begins with God himself.
- Divine Conches: Their conch shells are described as “divyau” (divine/transcendental). These were not ordinary instruments but celestial artifacts, each with its own name and power, as the following verses will reveal.
The action in the Tatah Shvetair Hayair Yukte verse is deliberate and focused. It is not a chaotic eruption, but a precise, powerful signal from the two most important figures on the Pandava side. The sound they create is not just noise; it is a sacred vibration meant to establish the power of Dharma.
Conclusion
The Tatah Shvetair Hayair Yukte verse teaches us about the difference between disorganized power and focused, righteous action. The Kauravas’ roar was a tumultuous, earthly noise. The Pandavas’ reply, starting with Krishna and Arjuna, is a divine, celestial sound. It signifies that their strength comes not from numbers, but from a higher purpose and divine alignment.
This verse is a reminder that in any conflict, the quality of our actions often matters more than the quantity. A single, focused, and pure-intentioned act can be more powerful than a thousand chaotic ones. The Tatah Shvetair Hayair Yukte verse shows the beginning of a response that is measured, confident, and backed by the divine, setting a completely different tone for the battle to come.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 15 – Panchajanyam Hrishikesho
