Witnessing the visible despair and fear of his grandson Duryodhana, the great grandsire of the Kuru dynasty acts. The twelfth verse of the Bhagavad Gita, known as the Tasya Sanjanan Harsham verse, is a pivotal moment. It is the first sound, the first official act of war, born not from aggression, but from a grandfather’s desire to give his grandson courage. The Tasya Sanjanan Harsham verse signifies the point of no return.
Sanskrit Verse
तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः ।
सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥ १२ ॥Transliteration
tasya sañjanayanharṣaṁ kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ |
siṁhanādaṁ vinadyoccaiḥ śaṅkhaṁ dadhmau pratāpavān || 12 ||Word for Word Translation
tasya – his; sañjanayan – creating; harṣam – joy; kuruvṛddhaḥ – the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty; pitāmahaḥ – the grandfather; siṁhanādam – a lion's roar; vinadya – vibrating; uccaiḥ – very loudly; śaṅkham – conch shell; dadhmau – blew; pratāpavān – the valiant one.
English Translation
Then, the valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the glorious Bhishma, blew his conch shell very loudly, making a sound like the roar of a lion, giving joy to Duryodhana.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Tasya Sanjanan Harsham verse is pure action, driven by emotion. Bhishma, the eldest and most respected warrior of the Kuru dynasty, understands Duryodhana’s fragile morale. He does not offer words of comfort. Instead, he performs a powerful, symbolic act. He blows his conch shell, an ancient instrument used to signal the start of battle. This is the official commencement of the war.
The description of the sound is crucial. It is not just a loud blast; it is a “siṁhanādam”—the roar of a lion. This sound symbolizes supreme power, authority, and courage. It is intended to do two things simultaneously:
- Inspire the Kauravas: To fill them with courage and remind them that they are led by the invincible Bhishma.
- Intimidate the Pandavas: To strike fear into the hearts of the enemy with its sheer, overwhelming power.
But the verse explicitly states Bhishma’s primary motive: “tasya sañjanayan harṣam” (to bring him joy). At its heart, this grand, earth-shaking declaration of war is a personal gesture. It is an old man’s attempt to soothe the fears of his misguided grandson. The Tasya Sanjanan Harsham verse is as much about family dynamics as it is about military strategy.
Conclusion
The Tasya Sanjanan Harsham verse teaches us about the immense power of a single, decisive action. In moments of uncertainty and fear, words can fail, but a confident gesture can change the entire emotional landscape. Bhishma’s roar is a leadership lesson: sometimes, the most effective way to rally a team is not through speeches, but through a bold first step that signals strength and commitment.
This verse also serves as a poignant reminder of the tragedy of the war. The first sound of a conflict that will destroy generations is made out of love for a grandson who is on the wrong path. The Tasya Sanjanan Harsham verse shows how personal affections and duties can become entangled in a larger, catastrophic destiny, a theme that resonates throughout the Bhagavad Gita.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 13 – Tatah Shankhash Cha Bheryash Cha
