The Pāṇḍava conch sequence has now reached its effect.

The previous shlokas listed Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, Bhīma, Yudhiṣṭhira, Nakula, Sahadeva, Kāśya, Śikhaṇḍī, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa, Sātyaki, Drupada, Draupadī’s sons, and Abhimanyu. Each was named distinctly, and their conches were sounded separately from all directions. Now Sanjaya describes the result of that sound.

The phrase saḥ ghoṣaḥ means “that sound” or “that roar.” It refers to the Pāṇḍava conch-sound just described. It is not an ordinary sound. It is the combined sound of many powerful warriors, each standing clearly in his place and announcing readiness.

The word tumulaḥ means tumultuous, overwhelming, and powerful. Earlier, the Kaurava sound was also called tumultuous, but there it carried the sense of noisy mass and disorder. Here the Pāṇḍava sound is not disorderly, because the previous shlokas carefully named each warrior and conch distinctly. Here tumulaḥ highlights its immense force and impact. It is a powerful, all-pervading roar.

The sound is described as nabhaḥ ca pṛthivīm ca eva vyanunādayan — resounding through the sky and the earth. It filled the whole battlefield atmosphere. It was not a small sound heard by a few nearby warriors. It spread upward and outward, covering the whole field.

Then comes the key statement: dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṁ hṛdayāni vyadārayat — it pierced the hearts of the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the Kauravas. The word Dhārtarāṣṭrāṇām refers to Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons and their side. Their hearts were shaken. The sound produced fear, anxiety, and inner disturbance.

This is a significant contrast. Duryodhana had begun by trying to strengthen confidence. Bhīṣma had roared and blown his conch to encourage him. The Kaurava instruments had made a huge sound. But when the Pāṇḍavas responded, their sound pierced the hearts of the Kauravas.

The shloka therefore shows the psychological power of dharmic readiness. The Pāṇḍavas are not merely physically prepared. Their readiness has force, clarity, and confidence. It reaches the Kauravas and shakes them inwardly. The outer battlefield sound reveals the inner condition of the two sides: the Pāṇḍava side stands with ordered readiness; the Kaurava side is inwardly vulnerable.

This also prepares the next movement. The battlefield context has now been fully set. Both armies have sounded their readiness. The conch-sound has shaken the Kauravas. Now Arjuna will ask Kṛṣṇa to place the chariot between the two armies, and the deeper problem of Arjuna’s mind will begin to unfold.