Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 1.11
bhīshmam evābhirakshantu
SYNONYMS
ayaneshu — in the strategic points; ca — also; sarveshu — everywhere; yathā-bhāgam — as differently arranged; avasthitāh — situated; bhīshmam — unto Grandfather Bhīshma; eva — certainly; abhirakshantu — should give support; bhavantah — you; sarve — all respectively; eva hi — certainly.
TRANSLATION
All of you must now give full support to Grandfather Bhīshma, as you stand at your respective strategic points of entrance into the phalanx of the army.
PURPORT
Duryodhana, after praising the prowess of Bhīshma, further considered that others might think that they had been considered less important, so in his usual diplomatic way, he tried to adjust the situation in the above words. He emphasized that Bhīshmadeva was undoubtedly the greatest hero, but he was an old man, so everyone must especially think of his protection from all sides. He might become engaged in the fight, and the enemy might take advantage of his full engagement on one side. Therefore, it was important that other heroes not leave their strategic positions and allow the enemy to break the phalanx. Duryodhana clearly felt that the victory of the Kurus depended on the presence of Bhīshmadeva. He was confident of the full support of Bhīshmadeva and Dronācārya in the battle because he well knew that they did not even speak a word when Arjuna's wife Draupadī, in her helpless condition, had appealed to them for justice while she was being forced to appear naked in the presence of all the great generals in the assembly. Although he knew that the two generals had some sort of affection for the Pāndavas, he hoped that these generals would now completely give it up, as they had done during the gambling performances.
Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness