Shloka 136
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
ततो जयद्रथे राजन् हते पार्थेन केशव: । दध्मौ शंखं महाबाहुरर्जुनश्व॒ परंतप:,राजन! कुन्तीकुमारद्वारा जयद्रथके मारे जानेपर भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण तथा शत्रुतापन महाबाहु अर्जुनने अपना-अपना शंख बजाया
tato jayadrathe rājan hate pārthena keśavaḥ | dadhmau śaṅkhaṃ mahābāhur arjunaś ca parantapaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then, O King, when Jayadratha had been slain by Pārtha (Arjuna), Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) blew his conch; and the mighty-armed Arjuna, scorcher of foes, also sounded his conch. The conch-blast marks the public confirmation of a vowed act fulfilled in the midst of war—an assertion of resolve, morale, and the righteous completion of a pledged duty amid the grave costs of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness to a righteous vow and the public affirmation of duty fulfilled. In epic ethics, a kṣatriya’s resolve—when aligned with dharma and supported by wise guidance (Kṛṣṇa)—must be carried through despite fear, delay, or opposition.
After Arjuna succeeds in killing Jayadratha, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna blow their conches. The sound functions as a battlefield signal of victory and completion of Arjuna’s pledged objective, lifting allied morale and marking a decisive turn in the day’s fighting.