Bhagavad-gītā 1.14 – Study Guide

1. Purport Metrics & Overview

Purport Metrics	Details
No. of times cited by Śrīla Prabhupāda	3
Total No. of Words in Purport	158
No. of Paragraphs in Purport	1
Purport Paragraph Title	Transcendental Sound and Other Good Omens Predict Victory and Fortune for the Pāṇḍavas

High-Level Flow:

Following the Kauravas’ materialistic war cries (1.13), Krishna and Arjuna now sound their transcendental conchshells.
Their chariot is drawn by white horses, symbolizing purity, and was gifted by Agni (the fire-god), indicating divine favor.
Unlike the Kauravas’ noise, Krishna and Arjuna’s conchshells represent victory, dharma, and divine fortune.
This verse confirms that Krishna’s presence ensures the Pāṇḍavas’ success—wherever Krishna is, victory follows.

2. Verse & Translation

Sanskrit:
tataḥ śvetair hayair yukte
mahati syandane sthitau
mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaś caiva
divyau śaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ

Translation:
“On the other side, both Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their transcendental conchshells.”

3. Connection with Previous Verse

Verse 1.13 describes the tumultuous, materialistic sound of the Kaurava army’s instruments.
Verse 1.14 shifts the focus to the divine and transcendental sound of Krishna and Arjuna’s conchshells.
Key Link:

The Kauravas rely on external force; the Pāṇḍavas rely on Krishna’s divine presence.
Material sound (1.13) is loud and chaotic, but Krishna’s conchshell (1.14) is auspicious, signaling certain victory.

4. Sambandha, Abhidheya, or Prayojana?

Category: Sambandha-tattva (Understanding our relationship with Krishna and the material world)

Sambandha-tattva defines the nature of jīva, īśvara, prakṛti, kāla, and karma.
This verse emphasizes that Krishna is the ultimate controller of destiny, and those aligned with Him are always victorious.
The transcendental sound represents the supremacy of divine will over material force.

✅ This verse is Sambandha-tattva because it highlights:

The difference between material strength (Kauravas) and divine protection (Pāṇḍavas).
Krishna’s presence as the deciding factor—His side is always victorious.
The significance of transcendental sound, which is beyond material influence.

5. Analysis of Key Terms

Divyau Śaṅkhau (Transcendental Conchshells)
Unlike the Kaurava army’s ordinary war cries, Krishna and Arjuna’s conchshells signify spiritual authority and divine will.

Śvetair Hayair (White Horses)
White symbolizes purity, victory, and auspiciousness—further affirming the divine nature of Arjuna’s chariot.

Mādhavaḥ (Krishna, Husband of the Goddess of Fortune)
Krishna’s name here confirms that wherever He is, victory and fortune follow.

6. Connection to the Five Topics of Bhagavad-gītā

Topic	Connection in Verse 1.14
Īśvara (Supreme Lord)	Krishna’s presence ensures the Pāṇḍavas’ victory—He alone controls fate.
Jīva (Living entity)	Arjuna, under Krishna’s guidance, is on the path of dharma and success.
Prakṛti (Material nature)	The chariot and weapons exist in material nature, but their power is granted by divine will.
Kāla (Time)	Kāla (time) is now moving toward Kaurava destruction, as signaled by Krishna’s conchshell.
Karma (Actions & Results)	The Pāṇḍavas’ righteous karma aligns them with Krishna, ensuring victory.

7. References from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Purport

1. Sanskrit Quotation:
Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes a significant verse from scripture confirming that wherever Krishna is present, victory is guaranteed:

🔹 Jayas tu pāṇḍu-putrāṇāṁ yeṣāṁ pakṣe janārdanaḥ
“Victory is always with persons like the sons of Pāṇḍu because Lord Kṛṣṇa is associated with them.”

2. Key Points from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Purport:

Krishna’s conchshell is transcendental, unlike the ordinary war cries of the Kauravas.
Lakṣmī, the Goddess of Fortune, is always with Krishna, further assuring the Pāṇḍavas’ success.
Arjuna’s chariot was a divine gift from Agni, showing that even celestial forces were aligned with the Pāṇḍavas.
Wherever Krishna is present, divine fortune follows automatically.

8. Insights from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Lecture (July 14, 1973, London)

Material sound vs. transcendental sound—one is temporary, the other is eternal.
Krishna’s name “Mādhava” reminds us that where there is Krishna, there is Lakṣmī (fortune).
The war is a mere formality—Krishna’s presence has already determined the outcome.
The chariot, being gifted by Agni, represents divine sanction for the Pāṇḍavas’ cause.

9. Keywords for Bhagavad-gītā 1.14

📌 From Translation: Krishna, Arjuna, White Horses, Chariot, Conchshells, Transcendental
📌 From Purport: Victory, Fortune, Lakṣmī, Janārdana, Divine Sound, Dharma
📌 From Lecture: Spiritual vs. Material Sound, Krishna’s Protection, Predetermined Victory

10. Practical Lessons

True Strength Comes from Krishna’s Protection
Despite their smaller army, the Pāṇḍavas are guaranteed victory because of Krishna.

Material Displays of Power Are Meaningless Without Krishna
The Kauravas’ loud battle cries (1.13) are external, but Krishna’s conchshell (1.14) carries spiritual potency.

Wherever Krishna Is Present, Fortune Follows
This applies in both war and life—surrendering to Krishna brings true success.

11. Preaching Relevance & Application

Preaching Topic	How This Verse is Relevant
Faith in Krishna Over Material Strength	The Kauravas have numbers, but the Pāṇḍavas have Krishna—so they are victorious.
Power of Transcendental Sound	Spiritual sound (Krishna’s conchshell) is more powerful than any material force.
Krishna as the Ultimate Decider of Victory	The war is already decided—wherever Krishna is, victory follows.

12. Conclusion

Bhagavad-gītā 1.14 marks the moment when Krishna and Arjuna sound their transcendental conchshells, signaling divine victory. Unlike the material noise of the Kauravas, their sound is auspicious, confirming that dharma and divine will are on their side. Krishna’s presence alone guarantees success, reinforcing that spiritual strength far outweighs material force.