Gita : Ch-1. Slo-12.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita : 


Chapter-1. ( Arjuna-vishadha-yogam )


Slokam-12. (  Then Bhishma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather of the fighters, blew his conchshell very loudly like the sound of a lion, giving Duryodhana joy. )



tasya   sanjanayan   harsham   kuruvrddhah   pitamahah,



simhanadam   vinadyoccaih   samkham   dadhmau   pratapavan.




pratapavan     kuruvrddhah    pitamahah   =   the   valiant,   the   grandsire   of  the   Kuru  dynasty    the   grandfather  (Bhishma); 

tasya   =   to   him   (  Duryodhana );

harsham   sanjanayan   =  to   increase   cheerfulness;

uccaih   simhanadam   vinadya   =   very   loudly   like   a   roaring   and    vibrating    sound   of   a   lion;

samkham   dadhmau   =   blew   conchshell.






The grandsire of the Kuru dynasty could understand the inner meaning of the heart of his grandson Duryodhana, and out of his natural compassion for him he tried to cheer him by blowing his conchshell very loudly, befitting his position as a lion. Indirectly, by the symbolism of the conchshell, he informed his depressed grandson Duryodhana that he had no chance of victory in the battle, because the Supreme Lord Krishna was on the other side. But still, it was his duty to conduct the fight, and no pains would be spared in that connection.


So Duryodhana full of internal anxiety deceptively addressed the preceptor Dronacarya attempting to conceal his fear at the might of the Pandava army. Drona understanding the offensive innuendo by the words inner significance ignored Duryodhana being dissatisfied by the subtle sarcasm concealed within the words. At this time the valiant grandsire Bhishma perceiving Duryodhana's inner despondency, roared like a lion and blew a thunderous blast on his conch shell just to increase Duryodhana's joy. 


Bhishma become elated hearing the praises given him by Duryodhana. Thus to eliminate the fear he knew Duryodhana was concealing in his heart he roared like a lion, simha-nadam means roaring like a lion and then blew a thunderous blast on his conchshell. By only sounding a blast on his conch shell without speaking Bhishma signified that true to ksatriya or warrior code of warfare he would fight until death. 


Bhishma  Pithamaha  hearing such words of high esteem, roared like a lion and to gladden the heart of Duryodhana blew a thunderous blast from his conch shell. 


To be continued ....