📿 Shloka Collection

Tatah Shvetair Hayair Yukte

Gita 1.14 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 1 — Arjuna Vishada Yoga
ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ ।
माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ॥
Tatah shvetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau
Madhavah Pandavashchaiva divyau shankhau pradadhmatuh
ततः
then
श्वेतैः
white
हयैः
horses
युक्ते
yoked to
महति
magnificent
स्यन्दने
chariot
स्थितौ
seated
माधवः
Krishna (Madhava)
पाण्डवः
Arjuna (the Pandava)
दिव्यौ
divine
शङ्खौ
two conches
प्रदध्मतुः
blew

From the Pandava side comes the response. On a magnificent chariot drawn by white horses stand two figures: Krishna as the charioteer and Arjuna as the warrior. Together, they blow their divine conches.

The image is striking. White horses, a grand chariot, and on it the Lord of all creation holding the reins while the greatest archer of the age stands behind him. The verse calls their conches "divyau" (divine, celestial). These are not ordinary instruments. Krishna's conch is the Panchajanya and Arjuna's is the Devadatta. Both will be named in the very next verse.

Notice how the text contrasts the two sides. The Kaurava noise was "tumula" (a chaotic roar). Krishna and Arjuna's conches are "divya" (divine). One side has volume; the other has something beyond volume. The distinction is deliberate.

"Madhava" is a name of Krishna that refers to him as the Lord of Lakshmi. Though he had vowed not to pick up weapons in this war, he stands on the battlefield as Arjuna's charioteer. That choice is the very foundation of the Gita.

White horses are traditionally associated with purity and truth. The Pandava chariot, drawn by white steeds, subtly signals that this is the side of dharma.

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