Shloka 11
स भवान् वीक्ष्य सर्वेषु मामकेषु महात्मसु । पश्य सेनापतिं युक्तमनु शान्तनवादिह,अतः तुम मेरे पक्षके सब महामनस्वी वीरोंपर दृष्टि डालकर यह देखो कि भीष्मजीके बाद अब कौन उपयुक्त सेनापति हो सकता है
sa bhavān vīkṣya sarveṣu māmakeṣu mahātmasu | paśya senāpatim yuktam anu śāntanavād iha ||
Duryodhana said: “Having surveyed all the high-souled heroes on my side, please consider and point out here who, after Śāntanu’s descendant Bhīṣma, is truly fit to be appointed commander of the army.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, authority must be grounded in fitness (yogyatā): a commander should be chosen by merit, capability, and suitability to the moment, not merely by status. The verse highlights the ethical weight of leadership decisions, because the chosen senāpati will shape the conduct and consequences of the conflict.
After Bhīṣma’s fall, the Kaurava side faces a leadership vacuum. Duryodhana urges his counselor/elder to review the Kaurava heroes and identify who is most suitable to serve as the next commander-in-chief.