1.15 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1, Verse 15

Verse 1.15 of the Bhagavad Gita introduces us to a pivotal moment on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. In this verse, we see Lord Krishna (referred to as Hrishikesha, "master of the senses") blowing His conch shell named Pañcajanya. Arjuna (called Dhananjaya, "winner of wealth") sounds his conch named Devadatta, and Bhima (described as Vrikodara, "wolf-bellied" or "voracious eater") blows his terrifying conch called Paundra.

This verse marks the significant entrance of Lord Krishna into the narrative of the Bhagavad Gita. What's notable is that Krishna appears not as a divine figure performing miraculous feats, but in the humble role of Arjuna's charioteer. This positioning is symbolic—though Krishna has taken a seemingly subordinate position, Sanjaya deliberately mentions Krishna first before Arjuna, acknowledging His divine status. This stands in stark contrast to Duryodhana's earlier speech where he made no such special acknowledgment of any charioteer.

The specific names used in this verse carry deeper meanings. Krishna is called Hrishikesha, which signifies "Lord of the senses," indicating His supreme control over all senses. He directs the senses of living entities according to their degree of surrender to Him. Arjuna is called Dhananjaya, commemorating his previous accomplishment of collecting wealth for King Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. Bhima is described as "bhima-karma," a performer of herculean tasks, and "vrikodara," the voracious eater—reminders of his tremendous strength and the fearsome vows he had taken against the Kauravas.

The conch shells themselves hold significance. Krishna's Pañcajanya, Arjuna's Devadatta, and Bhima's Paundra were not ordinary instruments but divine symbols of their readiness for battle. The sounding of these conches served not only as a war signal but also as a declaration of their confidence and righteousness. Krishna blowing His conch first from the Pandava side parallels Bhishma blowing his conch first from the Kaurava side—both representing the most important figures of their respective parties, though in very different ways.

Sanjaya's narration to Dhritarashtra contains subtle indications about the outcome of the war. By emphasizing Bhima's fearsome nature and referring to Yudhishthira as "raja" (king), Sanjaya is subtly conveying to the blind king that his sons stand little chance against the Pandavas who have divine support. The mention of Krishna as "Madhava" (husband of the goddess of fortune) further implies that fortune would ultimately favor the Pandava side.

The verse illustrates an important contrast in values. While the Kaurava side emphasized military might and numerical superiority, the Pandava side's greatest strength was having Krishna with them, even though He had vowed not to wield any weapons. Arjuna's choice to have Krishna as his charioteer rather than Krishna's army demonstrates his understanding that wisdom, guidance, and righteous counsel are more valuable in life's battles than mere physical force.

The unified response of all warriors blowing their conches after Krishna signals a harmony of purpose under divine guidance. Despite their different personalities and abilities—Yudhishthira's peacefulness contrasted with Bhima's ferocity—the Pandavas were united under Krishna's leadership. This unity under righteous guidance stands in stark contrast to the Kauravas, who were unified by adharma (unrighteousness) and selfish interests. The verse thus subtly foreshadows how true leadership is not about position or title but about selfless disposition and the ability to unite diverse individuals for a higher purpose.