Chapter 1, Verse 16 (Bhagavad Gita 1.16)
Chapter 1: Arjun Viṣhād Yog – Arjuna's Dilemma
Sanskrit Shloka
अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ
Transliteration
anantavijayaṁ rājā kuntī-putro yudhiṣhṭhiraḥ nakulaḥ sahadevaśhcha sughoṣha-maṇipuṣhpakau
Word Meanings
ananta-vijayam—the conch named Anantavijay; rājā—king; kuntī-putraḥ—son of Kunti; yudhiṣhṭhiraḥ—Yudhishthir; nakulaḥ—Nakul; sahadevaḥ—Sahadev; cha—and; sughoṣha-maṇipuṣhpakau—the conche shells named Sughosh and Manipushpak;
Translation
King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and the Manipushpaka.
Meaning & Commentary
The naming of these conches signifies the alignment of the Pandavas' individual egos with the divine will, representing the 'infinite victory' (Anantavijaya) that arises when dharma is upheld. It illustrates that true strength is not mere physical force, but the psychological preparedness to stand for righteousness despite the daunting nature of the conflict.