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 ...
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