Verse 1.11

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 1.11:

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथा-भागम् अवस्थिताः ।
भीष्मम् एवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ ११ ॥

ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathā-bhāgam avasthitāḥ |
bhīṣmam evābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi || 11 ||

ayaneṣu–at the entry points; ca–and; sarveṣu–all; yathā-bhāgam–in your assigned positions; avasthitāḥ–situated; bhīṣmam–unto Grandsire Bhīṣma; eva–surely; abhirakṣantu–protect in every respect; bhavantaḥ–you; sarve–all; eva hi–certainly.

Therefore, you must all remain in your strategically assigned positions at the entry points and give protection to Grandsire Bhīṣma in every respect.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Ṭīkā

(By Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura; the innermost intention of the commentary named ‘the shower of essential meanings’)

Duryodhana is saying, “Therefore, all of you (Droṇa and others) must be careful.” For this purpose only, he tells them, “Divide yourselves among all the phalanx entrances and do not leave your assigned areas in the battle. In this way, Bhīṣma will not be killed from behind while fighting the enemy, and right now, Bhīṣma’s strength is our very life.”