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Chapter 1
Link: In the verse that follows, Sanjaya narrates the effect of sounding the conch by Bhisma.
tatha sankhasca bheryasca panavanakagomukhah
sahasaivabhyahanyanta sa sabdastumulo'bhavat
Then conchs, kettledrums, tabors, drums and cow-horns, suddenly blared rorth and the noise was tumultuous. 13
Comment:-
Tatah sankhasca bheryasca panavanakagomukhah:-Bhisma had not blown his conch to declare war, his purpose was to cheer up Dtayodhana, but the army of the Kauravas thought that the war was declared. So hearing the sound of the conch, all musical instruments such as conchs etc., of the Kaurava-army suddenly blared forth.
Conchs are found in the sea. These are blown in adoration of God, on auspicious occasions and for declaring a war. 'Kettle-drums' (bherr-), are drums with large hollow bowls of iron, with tops made of skins of buffaloes and are beaten with a wooden stick. They are kept in temples and forts, and are beaten, specially on functions and auspicious occasions. Tabors' (panava), are small drums like a tambourine. These are made of iron or wood, with tops covered by the skin of goats, and are beaten with hand or a wooden stick. Their beating is regarded as auspicious, as adoration to Lord Ganesa. 'Anaka' (drum), is a musical instrument made of clay, with the top covered by leather and beaten with a hand. 'Gomukha' (cow-horn), is a musical wind instrument, consisting of a long metal tube usually bent like a serpent, having a cow shaped mouth and is blown with the mouth.
Sahasaivabhyahanyanta:-[1] Kaurava-army was full of great enthusiasm. Therefore, as soon as Bhisma blew his conch, all their musical instruments suddenly blared forth, all at once without much effort.
Sa sabdastumulo'bhavat:-The sound of the musical instruments, such as conchs etc., of the Kaurava-army, standing in divisions and sub-divisions, was tumultuous, and was echoed all over.
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