Adhyāya 108 — Nimitta-darśana and Drona’s counsel amid Arjuna’s advance (निमित्तदर्शनं द्रोणोपदेशश्च)
दध्मु: शड्खांश्व॒ भेरीश्व ताडयामासुराहवे । महाराज! पाण्डव उस महासमरमें शत्रुओंको जीतकर शंख फूँकने और नगाड़े पीटने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | dadhmuḥ śaṅkhāṃś ca bherīś ca tāḍayāmāsur āhave | mahārāja! pāṇḍavāḥ tasmin mahāsamare śatrūn jitvā śaṅkhān dadhmuḥ bherīś ca tāḍayāmāsuḥ |
মহারাজ! সেই মহাযুদ্ধে শত্রুদের পরাজিত করে পাণ্ডবেরা শঙ্খধ্বনি তুলল এবং ভেরী-দুন্দুভি বাজাতে লাগল।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how outward ritual signals—conch-blowing and drum-beating—function ethically and socially in war: they announce a turning of fortune, strengthen collective resolve, and communicate order and confidence to one’s side. In the Mahābhārata’s frame, such signals often accompany the assertion of a righteous cause and disciplined leadership.
Sanjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, in a major clash, the Pāṇḍavas gained the upper hand over their opponents and then sounded conches and beat war-drums as a public proclamation of victory on the battlefield.