Bhīṣma has just blown his conch to generate enthusiasm in Duryodhana and to signal the beginning of the battle. Now the rest of the Kaurava army responds.

The word tataḥ means “thereafter.” After Bhīṣma’s conch-blast, the other instruments are sounded. Bhīṣma’s signal does not remain isolated; the whole Kaurava side joins in.

The verse lists several instruments: śaṅkhāḥ, conches; bheryaḥ, kettledrums; paṇavāḥ, drums; ānakāḥ, large war-drums; and gomukhāḥ, horn-like blowing instruments. The exact point is not to identify each instrument in modern technical detail, but to see the variety. The Kaurava army uses many kinds of blowing and beating instruments, like a military band.

The word sahasa eva means “immediately.” The response is sudden and collective. As soon as Bhīṣma gives the signal, the army joins. The instruments are not sounded slowly one by one. They burst forth together.

The verb abhyahanyanta means “were sounded” or “were struck.” Some instruments are blown, like conches and horns. Some are beaten, like drums and kettledrums. The verse uses one general expression to describe the whole mass of sound.

Then the verse says saḥ śabdaḥ tumulaḥ abhavat — “that sound became tumultuous.” The word tumulaḥ does not merely mean “loud.” It suggests a noisy, agitated, confused, unruly, and overwhelming sound. The Kaurava sound is therefore not described as orderly, clear, or harmonious. It is a massive, confused, tumultuous noise.

This is significant in the chapter flow. The Kaurava side is externally powerful, with many warriors and many instruments. But their sound reflects the inner nature of the side: agitation, confusion, and disorder. Adharma does not appear only as killing, cheating, or injustice. Lack of inner order, lack of discipline, and confused collective excitement also belong to adharma. The Kaurava army’s adharmic nature is visible even in the way its war-sound is described.

This will become clearer in contrast when the Pāṇḍavas respond. Their conches are described distinctly, with named warriors and individual conches. The Kaurava sound is a collective tumult; the Pāṇḍava response will have clarity, identity, and order.

Thus this shloka marks the transition from Bhīṣma’s individual signal to the Kaurava army’s collective sound. The Kauravas have indicated readiness, but the readiness is noisy and tumultuous. The battlefield has now entered the sound-world of war, and the next verses will show the Pāṇḍava response.