In Bhagavad Gita 1.11, Duryodhana orders all his commanders to hold their positions at every point of the formation and above all to protect Bhishma.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
अयनेषु च सर्वेषु
यथाभागमवस्थिताः
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु
भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ १-११ ॥
ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu
yathābhāgamavasthitāḥ
bhīṣmamevābhirakṣantu
bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi
English transliteration ayaneshu cha sarveshu
yathaabhaagamavasthitaah
bheeshmamevaabhirakshantu
bhavantah sarva eva hi ॥ 1.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Therefore, all of you, stationed in your respective positions at every point of entry into the formation, must protect Bhishma above all.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अयनेषु ayaneṣu | at the entrances, in the divisions |
| च ca | and |
| सर्वेषु sarveṣu | in all |
| यथाभागम् yathābhāgam | each in his assigned place yathā (according to) + bhāgam (share, position) |
| अवस्थिताः avasthitāḥ | stationed |
| भीष्मम् bhīṣmam | Bhīṣma |
| एव eva | above all |
| अभिरक्षन्तु abhirakṣantu | must protect |
| भवन्तः bhavantaḥ | you |
| सर्वे sarve | all |
| एव हि eva hi | indeed |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–ya–ne–ṣu ca sar–ve–ṣu 8 syllables a-ya-ne-shu cha sar-ve-shu
- ya–thā–bhā–ga–ma–vas–thi–tāḥ | 8 syllables ya-thaa-bhaa-ga-ma-vas-thi-taah
- bhīṣ–ma–me–vā–bhi–ra–kṣan–tu 8 syllables bheesh-ma-me-vaa-bhi-ra-kshan-tu
- bha–van–taḥ sar–va e–va hi || 1-11 8 syllables bha-van-tah sar-va e-va hi
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 1 Verse 11
Context
Duryodhana ends his speech to Drona (1.3–1.11) with this command.
Meaning
Duryodhana knows that his whole strategy rests on Bhishma. The old commander had a boon that he would die only when he chose, and he had vowed not to fight the warrior Shikhandi. Protecting Bhishma is therefore protecting the army’s centre. Yet the order also shows a hidden fear: Duryodhana senses that his grandfather’s heart is with the Pandavas, and wants him surrounded.
When we depend entirely on one support, we are driven to guard it anxiously. Life teaches that every external support, however great, can fall. The Gita will point Arjuna, and the reader, to a refuge that cannot be lost: the Self and the Divine within. Duryodhana’s anxious command is the shadow of that teaching.
In Practice
Name one support you rely on completely, a person, job or plan. Ask what inner steadiness you would want if it were gone, and begin to cultivate that.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.