Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 11: Meaning and Special Explanation

Sloka (Verse):

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः ।
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥११॥

Ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathā-bhāgam avasthitāḥ ।
Bhīṣmam evābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi ॥11॥

Word-by-Word Meaning:

ayaneṣu — in strategic military positions
ca — and
sarveṣu — in all
yathā-bhāgam — in respective positions
avasthitāḥ — situated
bhīṣmam — Grandfather Bhishma
eva — certainly
abhirakṣantu — should protect
bhavantaḥ — all of you
sarve — all
eva — certainly
hi — indeed

Translation:

Therefore, all of you must firmly remain in your respective strategic military positions and protect Grandfather Bhishma from all sides.

Purport

Duryodhana was extremely cunning and skilled in political diplomacy. In the previous verse, he had praised Grandfather Bhishma's extraordinary prowess and acknowledged him as the greatest warrior. But immediately after praising him, his shrewd mind identified a problem—others might feel insignificant because of this. They might think that when Bhishma is so powerful, their contribution holds little value.

To avoid this psychological crisis and maintain the morale of the army, Duryodhana immediately made a strategic statement. He addressed all the warriors and commanders, saying that each of their roles was extremely important and their primary duty would be to protect Grandfather Bhishma from all directions. In this way, he acknowledged Bhishma's supremacy on one hand, while making others feel important on the other.

Duryodhana knew very well that Grandfather Bhishma was undoubtedly the most skilled, experienced, and invincible warrior. But he was also an old man. Due to his age, there could be some limitations to his physical strength. If Bhishma attacked fiercely in one direction on the battlefield, the other side might become vulnerable and the enemy could take advantage of that opportunity to break through the formation.

For this reason, Duryodhana instructed all warriors to remain steadfast in their respective strategic positions. He did not want anyone to leave their position and rush to help Bhishma, thereby creating gaps in the military formation. Duryodhana understood that victory in war requires not just individual heroism, but overall coordination and strategic discipline.

There was a deep conflict in Duryodhana's mind. He knew that both Bhishma and Dronacharya were affectionate toward the Pandavas in their hearts. They loved Pandu's sons and harbored fatherly affection for them. Yet they had sided with Duryodhana—due to loyalty to royal duty, obligation to Dhritarashtra, and allegiance to the throne of Hastinapura.

Duryodhana had earlier witnessed proof of their loyalty in a terrible incident. When Draupadi's disrobing was taking place in the royal assembly, helpless Draupadi had looked toward Bhishma and Dronacharya seeking help. But neither of them said a word or raised a finger. They remained silent. This incident had assured Duryodhana that no matter how much they loved the Pandavas, in war they would fight on his side.

However, deep in his mind there might have been some doubt—would these great souls truly fight with full force against the Pandavas? It was from this uncertainty that he kept reminding them of their duty and position.

Duryodhana's instruction also reveals his military strategic intelligence. He understood that war is not merely a display of individual heroism, but an organized military campaign. Every warrior must remain in his assigned position and function as part of the overall formation. If anyone abandons their position, the entire formation becomes weak. By assigning the responsibility of protecting Bhishma, he gave everyone a common goal and inspired them to work in coordination.

But from a spiritual perspective, all these cunning strategies, plans, and self-confidence were merely veils of illusion. Duryodhana thought he was controlling everything, that he would be victorious through his intelligence and strategy. But in reality, everything was part of the predetermined plan of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

The Lord had already decided who would win and who would lose. Bhishma, Drona, Karna—all were great warriors, but they had all sided with unrighteousness. Therefore, their defeat was inevitable. All of Duryodhana's strategies and plans were merely instruments in the Lord's divine play.

From this verse we receive a profound spiritual teaching. No matter how much humans plan, no matter what strategies they employ, ultimately everything is controlled by the Supreme Lord. Like Duryodhana, we too often think that we are the controllers of everything. But in truth, we are merely instruments, and the director is the Lord.

Therefore, we should abandon pride and take shelter of Lord Sri Krishna. We should perform our duties, but without desiring the results, and always remember that we are merely instruments. The true doer is the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

Duryodhana failed despite all his intelligence and power because he was on the path of unrighteousness and stood against the Lord. In our lives too, if we abandon the path of dharma and become intoxicated with our own pride, our defeat is inevitable.

Therefore, we should always remain on the path of dharma, take shelter of Lord Sri Krishna, and humbly perform our duties. Only then is it possible to attain true peace and success in life.

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare।
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare॥