Chapter 1Verse 16 of 47

Bhagavad Gita 1.16

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥

anantavijayaṃ rājā kuntī-putro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca sughoṣa-maṇi-puṣpakau ||

Translation

King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva, the Sughosha and the Manipushpaka.

Ananta-vijaya: endless victory. The eldest brother's conch names the outcome he wants. Yudhishthira, the most reluctant warrior on this side, carries the most absolute name. People often choose the loudest version of the thing they are least sure of. Underneath the eldest's reluctance is the eldest's need to be told this is going to end in ananta-vijaya. The instrument tells him while his hand holds it.

Reflection

Where do you sound most certain about the thing you're least sure of?

Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter One

Ask the Gita about this verse →