1.19. That tremendous sound of the conches of the Pāṇḍava army, resounding through heaven and earth, pierced the hearts of Duryodhana and his ilk, who had unjustly usurped the kingdom.
Commentary: The conch-sound of the Pāṇḍava army was so vast, deep, high, and terrible that the space between earth and sky reverberated with it. That sound pierced the hearts of those who had unjustly seized the kingdom and of the kings who stood in their support. The meaning is that the pain inflicted on their hearts by the conch-sound was akin to the pain caused by a weapon. That conch-sound weakened the enthusiasm and strength for battle in the hearts of the Kaurava army, giving rise within their hearts to fear of the Pāṇḍava army.
Sañjaya is relating these matters to Dhṛtarāṣṭra. It does not seem civil or reasonable for Sañjaya to say before Dhṛtarāṣṭra that "the hearts of Dhṛtarāṣṭra's sons or relatives were pierced." Therefore, instead of saying 'of the Dhārtarāṣṭras', he should have said 'of your sons or relatives' (tāvakīnām), for that alone is civil. From this perspective, it is reasonable and civil to take the meaning of the term 'Dhārtarāṣṭrāṇām' here as 'those who have unjustly held on to the kingdom'. Taking this meaning also seems reasonable from the viewpoint that their hearts were pierced precisely because they took the side of injustice.
Here a doubt arises: The instruments like conches of the Kaurava army of eleven akṣauhiṇīs had no effect whatsoever on the Pāṇḍava army, yet when the conches of the Pāṇḍava army of seven akṣauhiṇīs sounded, why were the hearts of the Kaurava army pierced by their sound? The resolution is this: The hearts of those in whom there is no unrighteousness, sin, or injustice—meaning those who perform their duty righteously—are strong; there is no fear in their hearts. Being on the side of justice gives them enthusiasm and valor. The Pāṇḍavas had ruled righteously even before their exile, and after the exile, they had righteously asked for their kingdom from the Kauravas according to the terms. Hence, there was no fear in their hearts; rather, there was enthusiasm and valor. The meaning is that the Pāṇḍavas' side was that of dharma. For this reason, the sound of the instruments of the Kaurava army of eleven akṣauhiṇīs had no effect on the Pāṇḍava army. However, the hearts of those who commit unrighteousness, sin, injustice, etc., are naturally weak. Fearlessness and absence of doubt do not remain in their hearts. Their own committed sin and injustice itself renders their hearts weak. Unrighteousness consumes the unrighteous. Duryodhana and others had made many attempts to kill the Pāṇḍavas unjustly. They had deceitfully and unjustly usurped the Pāṇḍavas' kingdom and caused them great suffering. For this reason, their hearts had become weak and feeble. The meaning is that the Kauravas' side was that of adharma. Therefore, the conch-sound of the Pāṇḍava army of seven akṣauhiṇīs pierced their hearts, causing them intense pain.
From this context, the sādhaka should be cautioned that through his body, speech, and mind, he should never engage in any conduct involving injustice and unrighteousness. Conduct imbued with injustice and unrighteousness makes a person's heart weak and feeble. Fear arises in his heart. For example, the three worlds feared Rāvaṇa, the lord of Lanka. Yet that same Rāvaṇa, when going to abduct Sītā, looks around here and there in fear. Therefore, the sādhaka should never engage in conduct involving injustice and unrighteousness.
Connection: In the first verse, Dhṛtarāṣṭra asked about his own sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu. Sañjaya gave the answer to that from the second verse up to this nineteenth verse. Now, from the next verse onwards, Sañjaya begins the context of the manifestation of the Bhagavad Gītā.
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