Gita : Ch-1. Slo-11.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-1. ( Arjuna-vishadha-yogam )



Slokam-11. ( Now all of you must give full support to Grandfather Bhishma, standing at your respective strategic points in the phalanx of the army. )




Ayaneshu    ca     sarveshu    yathabhaghamavasthitaah,


Bhishmamevabhirakshantu     bhavantah     sarva    eva    hi.





Hi     bhavantah    sarvve    eva    =    Therefore,   all   of   you   should,

Ythabhaagam    avasthitah     =      Take    your    position    correctly,

Sarvveshu    ayaneshu     =     In   all    positions,

Bhishmam    eva   abhirakshntu     =    ( and )   with   special   care,   protect   Bhishma.




After  expressing   his  opinion   about the two armies  fighting   capabilities,   Duryadhanan  as  in  the position  of  king   started giving   orders   showing his  command,  that  his   whole   troops   should  take  special  care of  the  safety  of  Bhishma  and   protect   him.


Duryodhana   knew   the   quality  of  his  army,   and  Bhishma   only  can  unite   them  forward   in  the   war,   hence, the worry about   Bhishma's   safety.  


Duryodhana, after praising the prowess of Bhishma, further considered that others might think that they had been considered less important, so in his usual diplomatic way, he tried to adjust the situation in the above words. He emphasized that Bhishma-pithamah was undoubtedly the greatest hero, but he was an old man, so everyone must especially think of his protection from all sides. He might become engaged in the fight, and the enemy might take advantage of his full engagement on one side. Therefore, it was important that other heroes would not leave their strategic positions and allow the enemy to break the phalanx. Duryodhana clearly felt that the victory of the Kurus depended on the presence of Bhishmadeva. He was confident of the full support of Bhishmacharya  and Dronacarya in the battle because he well knew that they did not even speak a word when Arjuna's wife Draupadi, in her helpless condition, had appealed to them for justice while she was being forced to strip naked in the presence of all the great generals in the assembly. Although he knew that the two generals had some sort of affection for the Pandavas, he hoped that all such affection would now be completely given up by them, as was customary during the gambling performances.


If Drona becomes indifferent understanding the implications of negligence hidden in these words my purposes will be hampered. Thinking this Duryodhana assured him of his confidence in his ability by the use of the word ayanesu indicating prowess. You all being divisioned at strategic points in your various military formations should not leave your positions for you all must carefully protect Bhishma from both sides and behind as he will be so engaged in the overall battle he may not be aware of his immeadiate surroundings. If he is protected properly then our victory is assured. Duryodhana's intimation was that Bhishma is my grandfather and Drona is my preceptor thus both must be my well-wisher and this was already proven in the royal assembly during the game of dice with the Pandava's when neither Bhishma or Drona responded to the overt indiscretions against Draupadi; even though they both could see the injustice and transgression that she was subjected to by Duryodhana. 


Duryodhana is factually telling Dronacarya that although Bhishmadeva is partial to the Pandavas, the Kaurava victory is dependent on the vigilant protection of Bhishmadeva. So he must be protected from all sides in such a way that he cannot be slain form any direction. The Kaurava army depends solely on the might of Bhishmadeva. 


So Duryodhana faced with the feeling of inadequacy reflects what is to be done? In this verse he replies that all of his army situated in their respective strategic points in their various positions must support and protect Bhishma very carefully, who is the commander of the army. It is understood that where the commander is protected the army is protected. 


Hence Duryodhana to his army : " All of you must certainly protect Bhishma foremost at all strategic points situated respectively in your various positions in the formation." ....

To be continued ...