Shloka 69
Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा
तेडवगाहा कुरुक्षेत्र शड्खान् दध्मुररिंदमा: | तथैव दश्मतु: शड्खं वासुदेवधनंजयौ,उन शत्रुदमन वीरोंने कुरुक्षेत्रकी सीमामें पहुँचकर अपने-अपने शंख बजाये। इसी प्रकार श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनने भी शंखध्वनि की
teḍavagāhā kuru-kṣetra-ṣaḍkhān dadhmur ariṃdamāḥ | tathaiva daśmatuḥ śaṅkhaṃ vāsudeva-dhanaṃjayau |
Vaiśampāyana said: Having reached the bounds of Kurukṣetra, those heroic subduers of foes blew their conches. In the same manner, Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) and Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) also sounded their conch, proclaiming readiness for the impending conflict and the resolve to uphold their chosen duty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical seriousness of entering Kurukṣetra: the conch-sound is not mere noise but a formal declaration of intent and readiness to act according to one’s chosen duty (svadharma) in a conflict framed as unavoidable.
Warriors arrive at the boundary of Kurukṣetra and blow their conches as a martial signal. Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna likewise sound their conch, marking their presence and readiness as the confrontation is about to begin.