Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 11

English Translation

However, venerable sirs, all of you without exception, while occupying all the positions in the different directions as alloted (to you respectively), please fully protect Bhisma in particular.

Detailed Commentary

"अयनेषु च सर्वेषु... भवन्तः सर्व एव हि" -- At all the strategic points where you have been assigned, all you warriors, remain firmly stationed on those very fronts and protect Bhishma from all sides. By saying this, Duryodhana intends to secure Bhishma's complete allegiance. The hidden implication is that when Bhishma engages in battle, care must be taken that Shikhandi does not approach him through any *vyuhadvara* (entrance to a battle formation). If Shikhandi were to appear, Bhishma would not wield weapons against him, as Shikhandi was a woman in a previous birth, and in this birth too, was initially female before transforming into a male. Therefore, Bhishma considers him a woman and has vowed not to fight him. Shikhandi was, moreover, born specifically to slay Bhishma, by the boon of Shankara. Hence, Duryodhana believes that once Bhishma is protected from Shikhandi, he will vanquish everyone, thereby ensuring their victory. It is with this understanding that Duryodhana instructs all the *Maharathis* (great warriors) to protect Bhishma. Context: As Dronacharya remained silent, and seeing Duryodhana's morale faltering, Sanjaya reveals Bhishma's affection and goodwill towards him in the subsequent verse.