Bhagavad Gita — Arjuna Vishada Yoga, Shloka 11

Arjuna Vishada Yoga

Devanagari script

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः । भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ १.११ ॥

Transliteration

ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathā-bhāgam avasthitāḥ | bhīṣmam evābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi || 1.11 ||

Translation

Darum sollt ihr an allen Stellungen, jeder gemäß seinem zugeteilten Anteil, fest auf eurem Platz stehen; und ihr alle sollt wahrlich den Großvater Bhīṣma von allen Seiten her schützen.

Gita Press Meaning

“आप सब लोग अपनी-अपनी जगह पर विभागानुसार स्थित रहकर निश्चय ही केवल पितामह भीष्म की ही सब ओर से रक्षा करें।”

Critical Edition Meaning

“And all of you, stationed at all the strategic points as allotted, should indeed protect Bhīṣma on every side.”

Comparative Note

अर्थ में मुख्यतः भेद नहीं है। ‘अयनेषु’ को प्रायः ‘रणनीतिक स्थान/द्वार/मार्ग’ (approaches, positions) के रूप में लिया जाता है; कुछ अनुवाद इसे ‘व्यूह के प्रवेश-मार्ग’ के रूप में अधिक विशिष्ट करते हैं।

Word by Word

• अयनेषु: in the battle-formations/strategic positions
• अयनेषु: Adhikarana
• Root: अयन

• च: and
• Root: च

• सर्वेषु: in all
• सर्वेषु: Adhikarana
• Root: सर्व

• यथा: as, according to
• Root: यथा

• भागम्: (one’s) allotted share/portion
• Root: भाग

• अवस्थिताः: stationed, positioned
• अवस्थिताः: Karta
• Root: अव√स्था

• भीष्मम्: Bhīṣma
• भीष्मम्: Karma
• Root: भीष्म

• एव: indeed, alone, just
• Root: एव

• अभिरक्षन्तु: let (them/you) protect, should guard
• Root: अभि√रक्ष्

• भवन्तः: you (honoured persons)
• भवन्तः: Karta
• Root: भवत्

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Root: सर्व

• एव: indeed, certainly
• Root: एव

• हि: for, indeed (emphatic particle)
• Root: हि

Speakers

• Duryodhana (to his commanders)

Primary Concepts

• Dharma
• Kṣatriya duty
• Leadership and strategy

Key Themes

• Organizational discipline
• Reliance on senior authority
• Collective coordination

FAQs

Psychological significance?

The instruction to “protect Bhīṣma” can be read as anxiety-management through consolidating around a respected figure—seeking stability by anchoring morale in a senior authority.

Metaphysical meaning?

Metaphysically, the verse is not doctrinal; it is primarily narrative. In allegorical readings, “protecting Bhīṣma” can symbolize guarding one’s foundational commitments or guiding principles amid inner conflict.

Contextual relevance?

Duryodhana addresses his side’s leaders, emphasizing disciplined placement and unified focus as the opposing forces prepare to begin.

Modern Application?

In non-military contexts, it suggests role-clarity and coordinated support for key institutional knowledge-holders during high-stakes transitions.