Reeling from the self-inflicted blow of his own fear in the previous verse, Duryodhana immediately tries to regain control in the eleventh verse of the Bhagavad Gita. This verse, known as the Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu verse, is not a boast, but a direct and urgent military command. The order given in the Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu verse is born from the terrifying realization that his entire war effort hinges on the survival of one man: Grandsire Bhishma.
Sanskrit Verse
अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः ।
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ ११ ॥Transliteration
ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathābhāgamavasthitāḥ |
bhīṣmamevābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi || 11 ||Word for Word Translation
ayaneṣu – in the strategic points; ca – and; sarveṣu – everywhere; yathābhāgam – as previously arranged; avasthitāḥ – situated; bhīṣmam – Grandsire Bhishma; eva – certainly; abhirakṣantu – you must all protect; bhavantaḥ – all of you; sarve eva hi – respectively.
English Translation
Therefore, all of you, standing at your respective strategic points in the army’s formation, must now give full support to Grandsire Bhishma.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu verse is a direct consequence of Duryodhana’s panic. His previous declaration that his army felt “insufficient” despite being protected by Bhishma leads him to a single, desperate conclusion: Bhishma must be protected at all costs. He commands all his generals, from their various strategic positions (“ayaneshu”), to focus their efforts on one goal: the complete protection of their supreme commander.
This command reveals several key things about Duryodhana’s state of mind and the Kaurava military strategy.
- Dependency: It shows his absolute reliance on Bhishma. He believes that if Bhishma is safe, the army is safe. If Bhishma falls, the entire war is lost.
- Fear of the Pandavas: This order is specifically aimed at thwarting the Pandavas, particularly Arjuna and Shikhandi, whom he sees as the primary threats to Bhishma. You can read more about the complexities of this relationship in the context of the Kurukshetra War.
- A Defensive Mindset: Instead of issuing a bold, offensive command, his first major order is a defensive one. This highlights that his strategy is now being dictated by fear, not confidence.
The Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu verse is therefore a command to his entire leadership to make Bhishma’s protection their number one priority, even over their own battles.
Conclusion
The Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu verse provides a powerful lesson in leadership and strategy. It demonstrates that even the most powerful force can be crippled by a leader’s fear, causing them to shift from an offensive to a defensive mindset. Duryodhana’s command reveals a fundamental truth: we are only as strong as the cornerstone of our foundation.
In our own challenges, this verse prompts us to ask: What is our “Bhishma”? Is it our key team member, our most vital resource, our core value, or our main source of strength? The Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu verse teaches us that identifying and protecting that central pillar is the most critical strategy of all. A leader’s first duty, especially when faced with doubt, is to secure the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 12 – Tasya Sanjanan Harsham
