From words to sounds, the atmosphere of the battlefield changes.

Duryodhana, while talking about the strength of his own army, felt uneasy in front of the enemy's formation. The supreme commander, Bhishma, recognized this state.

Bheeshma roared like a lion and blew the conch shell to reassure Duryodhana and confirm his own valor. That sound was both meant to calm one person's anxiety, but it also signaled to all troops that the battle was about to begin.

Bhishma is a figure who holds the position of grandfather to both the Kauravas and the Pandavas. A respected old warrior, he gives the signal for the start of battle at the head of the Kaurava army.

Here, the scene shifts from Duryodhana's words of encouragement to a sound that moves the entire battlefield.

Japanese Translation from the Geeta Press Edition - Chapter 1, Section 12: "Bishma's Roar and Conch Shell"

Chapter 1, Section 12

The old grandfather, filled with joy, made her happy. He blew the conch shell loudly, like a lion's roar. || 12 ||

Translation

The elderly statesman of the Kaurava clan, and their glorious grandfather, Bhishma, in order to please Duryodhana, roared like a lion, terrifyingly, and blew his conch shell.

Annotative Translation

After Bhishma, Bhīshma was the oldest person among the Kaurava clan.

He had a similar degree of kinship to both the Kauravas and the Pandavas, and as he was like a grandfather figure to both families, he was respected by both sides.

Therefore, Sanjaya called him the "elderly person" of the Kauravas, and also referred to him as a "grandfather figure."

He was extremely old, but in terms of spirit, strength, physical health, and heroism, he surpassed even the young leading heroes.

Therefore, he is described as "glorious."

This old warrior noticed that Duryodhana was standing near Drona, and he seemed a little surprised by the Pandava army's formation. He also sensed that Duryodhana was feeling uneasy.

Furthermore, Duryodhana suppressed his anxiety and encouraged the warriors by praising the Kaurava army. He also noticed that Drona and other Maharatas were being urged to protect Bhishma.

There, Bheeshma made Duryodhana believe in his great valor, made him happy, and roared like a lion and blew the conch shell powerfully to announce the start of the battle as the supreme commander.