Question: Why do the conch shells blown by Lord Krishna, Arjuna and others on the Kuruksetra field have names? What is the significance of those names?
Answer by Romapada Swami: At the time it was common practice for the important paraphernalia of warriors to be given names. For instance, the bow of Arjuna was known as Gandiva, Krishna’s club is known as Kaumodaki, etc. They were named in much the same way people were named, to describe some quality, present or desirable, or some pastime related to it.
Srila Vishwantha Cakravarti Thakura attaches special significance to the fact that only those warriors whose conch shells were named survived the battle. Everyone else with the exception of Satyaki (who is described as ‘unconquerable’), perished.
