In Bhagavad Gita 1.16, King Yudhishthira blows his conch Anantavijaya, while Nakula and Sahadeva blow Sughosha and Manipushpaka.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
अनन्तविजयं राजा
कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
नकुलः सहदेवश्च
सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥ १-१६ ॥
anantavijayaṃ rājā
kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
nakulaḥ sahadevaśca
sughoṣamaṇipuṣpakau
English transliteration anantavijayam raajaa
kunteeputro yudhishthirah
nakulah sahadevashcha
sughoshamanipushpakau ॥ 1.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosha and Manipushpaka.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अनन्तविजयम् anantavijayam | the conch Anantavijaya, endless victory ananta (endless) + vijayam (victory) |
| राजा rājā | the king |
| कुन्तीपुत्रः kuntīputraḥ | son of Kuntī kuntī (Kuntī) + putraḥ (son) |
| युधिष्ठिरः yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | Yudhiṣṭhira |
| नकुलः nakulaḥ | Nakula |
| सहदेवः sahadevaḥ | Sahadeva |
| च ca | and |
| सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ sughoṣamaṇipuṣpakau | Sughoṣa and Maṇipuṣpaka sughoṣa (sweet-sounding) + maṇipuṣpakau (jewel-flowered (conches)) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–nan–ta–vi–ja–yaṃ rā–jā 8 syllables a-nan-ta-vi-ja-yam raa-jaa
- kun–tī–put–ro yu–dhiṣ–ṭhi–raḥ | 8 syllables kun-tee-put-ro yu-dhish-thi-rah
- na–ku–laḥ sa–ha–de–vaś–ca 8 syllables na-ku-lah sa-ha-de-vash-cha
- su–gho–ṣa–ma–ṇi–puṣ–pa–kau || 1-16 8 syllables su-gho-sha-ma-ni-push-pa-kau
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 1 Verse 16
Context
The roll of Pandava conches continues from 1.15.
Meaning
Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava and rightful king, is called “son of Kunti,” a reminder of the family bond that runs through both armies. His conch is named Anantavijaya, endless victory, fitting for one who is known above all for steadfast truthfulness. The twins Nakula and Sahadeva, sons of Madri, sound conches whose names suggest beauty and sweetness.
Yudhishthira’s name means “steady in battle.” Truthfulness is the steadiest strength of all, and its victory, the conch’s name suggests, is endless. The verse places dharma at the centre of the Pandava line, surrounded by grace and harmony. Inner victories won through truth are never undone.
In Practice
Choose one situation today where telling the full truth would be easier to avoid. Speak it kindly and clearly.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.