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Chapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra · 46 verses

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Questions & crisisChapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra
1.101.12

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 1.11

The armies gather; conches sound

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागवमस्थिताः ।

भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ ११ ॥

ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu

yathā-bhāgam avasthitāḥ

bhīṣmam evābhirakṣantu

bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi

Translation

All of you must now give full support to Grandfather Bhīṣma, as you stand at your respective strategic points of entrance into the phalanx of the army.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Protecting Grandfather Bhīṣma

  1. 1Duryodhana tells everyone to fully support Bhīṣma while staying at their assigned entrances to the army formation.
  2. 2After praising Bhīṣma, Duryodhana speaks diplomatically so the other warriors will not feel less important.
  3. 3Bhīṣma is the greatest hero, but he is old. Others must guard all sides and hold their positions so enemies cannot break through.
  4. 4Duryodhana believes that the Kurus’ victory depends on Bhīṣma’s presence.
  5. 5Duryodhana expects Bhīṣma and Droṇācārya to support him despite their affection for the Pāṇḍavas. They had remained silent when Draupadī appealed for justice, and he hopes they will again set that affection aside.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 1, Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra: the armies gather; conches sound.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Honest questions open the way to wisdom.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: saṁśaya, viṣāda.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 1.11 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to questions & crisis?

Practice

Write down the real question behind your current dilemma.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 1 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 1.1The armies gather; conches soundBG 1.2The armies gather; conches soundBG 2.7The moment Arjuna becomes a discipleBG 6.34The restless mind

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 1.11 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.