Verse 1.11
Speaker: Sanjaya
Sanskrit
अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः | भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ||११||
Transliteration (IAST)
ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathābhāgamavasthitāḥ | bhīṣmamevābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi ||11||
Word-by-Word Meanings
अयनेषु-at the strategic points
यथाभागम्-in respective positions
अवस्थिताः-stationed
भीष्मम्-Bhishma
अभिरक्षन्तु-must protect
Translation
Therefore, stationed in your respective positions at every entrance to the formation, all of you must protect Bhishma in particular.
Commentary
Duryodhana's command to protect Bhishma reveals a strategic vulnerability. This also subtly insults Bhishma by implying he needs protection, while simultaneously acknowledging his indispensability as commander-in-chief.
Themes
duty