The symphony of the Pandava conches, built systematically from one great hero to the next, culminates in the nineteenth verse of the Bhagavad Gita. This verse, known as the Sa Ghosho Dhartarashtranam verse, describes the profound and terrifying impact of that collective sound on their opponents. The Sa Ghosho Dhartarashtranam verse is the dramatic payoff to the Pandavas’ divinely-ordered response.
Sanskrit Verse
स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत् ।
नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन् ॥ १९ ॥Transliteration
sa ghoṣo dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṁ hṛdayāni vyadārayat |
nabhaśca pṛthivīṁ caiva tumulo vyanunādayan || 19 ||Word for Word Translation
saḥ – that; ghoṣaḥ – vibration; dhārtarāṣṭrāṇām – of the sons of Dhritarashtra; hṛdayāni – hearts; vyadārayat – shattered; nabhaḥ – the sky; ca – also; pṛthivīm – the earth; ca – also; eva – certainly; tumulaḥ – tumultuous; vyanunādayan – resounding.
English Translation
That tumultuous sound, resounding through the sky and the earth, shattered the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Sa Ghosho Dhartarashtranam verse is a masterclass in describing the power of sound and morale. The collective roar of the Pandava conches was so immense that it seemed to fill both heaven (“nabhaḥ”) and earth (“pṛthivīṁ”). But its most significant impact was not physical, but psychological. The verse states that it “hṛdayāni vyadārayat”—it “shattered the hearts” of the sons of Dhritarashtra.
Why was this sound so much more effective than the Kauravas’ own?
- It was Unified: The Kauravas’ sound was a sudden, chaotic outburst. The Pandavas were a systematic, sequential, and harmonious symphony of power. It suggested perfect order and unity.
- It was Divine: The sound began with Lord Krishna Himself. This implied that the Pandavas’ cause had divine sanction, a terrifying prospect for their opponents.
- It was Confident: It was not the sound of a force trying to build its own courage, but the sound of a force that was already supremely confident in its righteous purpose.
This is the first great act of psychological warfare in the battle. Before a single arrow was fired, the Kauravas’ morale was broken. The Sa Ghosho Dhartarashtranam verse shows that their confidence, built on numbers and arrogance, was a fragile facade, easily shattered by the sound of true, unified strength.
Conclusion
The Sa Ghosho Dhartarashtranam verse teaches a powerful lesson about the difference between noise and true power. The Kauravas made a loud, tumultuous noise, but it was hollow. The Pandavas produced a sound that was unified, purposeful, and resonant with divine authority, and it had a devastating effect. It shows that true strength lies not in chaotic bluster, but in calm, unified, and righteous conviction.
In our own lives, we often encounter loud and intimidating opposition. The Sa Ghosho Dhartarashtranam verse is a reminder that a message delivered with unity, clarity, and deep conviction can be far more powerful. It is the sound of integrity that truly has the power to shake the foundations of even the most arrogant opponent.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 20 – Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva
