In the immediate context, the Pandava leaders are announcing their presence. Each conch has a history: Pāñcajanya was taken by Krishna from a demon; Devadatta was gifted to Arjuna by Indra or Varuna. By naming these specific instruments, the text highlights the legendary status and preparedness of the Pandava heroes, contrasting their deliberate, named actions with the anonymous noise of the Kaurava ranks.