Until verse 12, we’ve seen the two armies gather on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Leaders have been introduced, loyalties drawn, and tension is rising. The Kauravas are fully prepared, and their commander, Bhishma, has just blown his mighty conch, signaling the start of battle. (Click here for a detailed guide and activities for each verse.)
And now, the entire Kaurava army responds.
In Verse 13, every warrior joins in, blasting their conches, beating their drums, and sounding their horns. The air fills with thunder. This moment isn’t just loud—it’s a wave of emotion: excitement, fear, adrenaline. It’s the final build-up before something inside Arjuna begins to shift…
Let’s dive deeper into the verse.
Table of Contents
Gita Chapter 1, Verse 13: What Happens When Everyone Blows Their Own Conch?
Sanskrit Verse
तत: शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखा: |
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् || 13||
English Transliteration
tataḥ śhaṅkhāśhcha bheryaśhcha paṇavānaka-gomukhāḥ
sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śhabdastumulo ’bhavat
Word by Word English Translation
First line
तत: (tataḥ): thereafter
शङ्खाश्च (śhaṅkhāśhcha): the conches and
भेर्यश्च (bheryaśhcha): the bugles and
पणवानकगोमुखा: (paṇavānaka-gomukhāḥ): the drums, kettledrums, and trumpets
Second line
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त (sahasaivābhyahanyanta): suddenly sounded
स (sa): that
शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् (śhabdastumulo ’bhavat): sounded tumultuous
English Translation
“Then conches, bugles, drums, kettledrums, and trumpets suddenly sounded, and the combined sound was tumultuous.”
What’s Going On Here?
Imagine a giant battlefield. Silence. Then suddenly—BOOM!
An explosion of sound!
Every warrior in the Kaurava army blasts their own trumpet, conch, or drum, filling the air with a thunderous roar.
This isn’t just about loud noises. This verse sets the emotional scene: fear, excitement, nervous energy, and pride are all tangled in this tumult. It’s the storm before the storm.
And while Arjuna doesn’t react in this verse, this thunder of sound is the first emotional wave in what becomes an overwhelming sea. Soon, he’ll break down completely—shaking, confused, unable to act. This is the first crack in his calm.
For kids, this is a beautiful entry point to talk about what happens when everything gets loud, how external chaos can stir internal confusion, and how to listen for the still voice within.
What This Verse Teaches Kids Emotionally
- Noise Outside = Noise Inside: Sometimes when the world around us is loud, our thoughts get loud too.
- Group Energy Is Powerful: When everyone acts together, it can feel exciting—or overwhelming.
- It’s Okay to Feel Lost in the Noise: Just like Arjuna eventually did, it’s normal to freeze or feel confused in the face of intense emotion.
Fun Sound-Based Gita Activities by Age
Let’s turn this verse into a living experience through play, creativity, and reflection.
Ages 3–5: “Quiet, Loud, Freeze!”
What You Need:
Pots, pans, wooden spoons, or toy drums
How to Play:
- Let your child bang on the pots (LOUD!).
- Suddenly yell “FREEZE!” and go completely silent.
- Alternate between loud and quiet. Then whisper, “What did you hear in the silence?”
Lesson: Helps them notice the difference between noise and quiet, and that both are part of life.
Ages 6–8: “Sound Map Adventure”
What You Need:
A notebook, markers, and a timer
What to Do:
- Sit on your balcony or by a window for 5 minutes.
- Ask your child to draw or write every sound they hear: birds, honks, construction, and a baby crying.
- Ask: “Which sound was loudest? Which made you feel calm? Which made you feel excited?”
Lesson: Introduces mindfulness and the idea that sound can affect our feelings.
Ages 9–11: “The Orchestra of Feelings”
What You Need:
Paper, pens, musical instruments, or sound-making objects
Activity:
- Each family member picks a “sound” to match an emotion (e.g., tapping a glass = excitement, a slow drumbeat = sadness).
- Together, create a “sound story” representing how emotions build up.
- Reflect: “What did the chaos feel like? Could one quiet sound still be heard?”
Lesson: Explores how emotions rise, overlap, and how listening in the chaos can bring clarity.
Ages 12–14: “Create a Soundtrack for Arjuna’s Mind”
What You Need:
Phone or computer (for audio mixing or playlist building)
Challenge:
- Ask your child to imagine what Arjuna might have felt as the sounds erupted—anxiety, dread, pressure.
- Create a playlist or audio mix to reflect that.
- Then create a second version—the inner peace that arrives when Krishna speaks.
Lesson: Teaches emotional empathy, musical creativity, and the contrast between outer chaos and inner calm.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Draw the Noise (for sensitive kids)
If your child finds sound overstimulating, invite them to draw the noise instead: swirling lines, sharp angles, soft dots. Use colors to express emotion.
Gentle Reflection for Parents & Kids
- “When things feel loud outside, what helps you feel calm inside?”
- “Have you ever been part of a group that got really loud? How did that feel?”
- “Have you ever felt like you couldn’t think because everything felt too noisy?”
Even a 1-minute family silence after the activities helps anchor the experience and become a ritual of calm.
Why Chapter 1 Verse 13 Matters for Modern Families
This verse reminds us that life can get noisy—literally and emotionally. But noticing the chaos is the first step to finding peace.
Helping kids connect external sound with internal emotion gives them an emotional superpower: self-awareness. And helping ourselves model that makes our homes quieter, even in the middle of chaos.
