Bhagavad Gita · Arjuna Vishada YogaChapter 1, Shloka 15 (1.15)

Why the names of the conches? Madhusudana Sarasvati makes a sharp point: the conches of the Pandava side are famous by their own names — Panchajanya, Devadatta, Paundra, Anantavijaya, Sughosha, Manipushpaka — "but in your (Dhritarashtra's) army not a single conch is famous by name." This detail of Sanjaya's is one way of showing the superiority of the Pandava side. Remember, Sanjaya is Dhritarashtra's own charioteer — yet he tells the truth.

Every name a message — according to Madhusudana:

• Hṛṣīkeśa (Krishna): "lord of the senses" — Madhusudana: this name shows that the Ishvara who is the inner controller of all is the Pandavas' helper. In the Gita this name for Krishna comes up many times — especially when the subject is the mind and senses.
• Dhanañjaya (Arjuna): "winner of wealth" — Madhusudana: at the time of the Rajasuya, in his conquest of the quarters, Arjuna defeated all the kings and brought back wealth, hence this name; the meaning — "he is invincible in every way."
• Bhīmakarmā Vṛkodara (Bhima): "doer of terrible deeds" — Madhusudana gives the example of deeds like the slaying of Hidimba. "Vrikodara" — wolf-bellied, that is, one who digests a great deal of food and is immensely strong.

The names of the conches: Pāñcajanya — according to a famous story of the Puranas, Krishna obtained this conch by defeating an asura named Panchajana (this story is not in the shloka or the commentary; so see the source note). Devadatta — the literal meaning of the name is "given by the gods". Pauṇḍra — Bhima's huge conch (mahāśaṅkha).

Krishna's conch — but no weapon. According to the Mahabharata, Krishna had promised not to take up weapons in this war. Still he blows his conch — a sign not of becoming a combatant, but of being Arjuna's charioteer and companion.