Verse 11
"All of you must now give full support to Grandfather Bhisma,
as you stand at your respective strategic points of entrance into the phalanx of the army. "
Analysis:
Duryodhana, after praising the prowess of Bhishma, 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 Bhishmadeva 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 would 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 Bhishmadeva. He was confident of the full support of Bhishmadeva and Dronacarya in the battle because he well knew that they did not even speak a word when Arjuna's wife Draupadi, 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 Pandavas, he hoped that all such affection would now be completely given up by them, as was customary during the gambling performances.
Looking into the story of Bhishma,
Long Long ago in Dwapara Yuga there ruled a famous dynasty of kings of the Lunar Race called King Shantanu who was the most famous amongst them. He ruled a big empire with his capital at Hastinavati. He married Gangadevi; no one in Devaloka (or the World of the Gods) could equal her in beauty. She gave birth to a son called Devavrata. She had to go back, leaving the child in the care of Shantanu; she did not come back to the earth.
So Shantanu took up the entire burden of bringing up the little son with care and affection. He was both father and mother to him. . Shantanu himself was a good and just king. Devavrata learnt from his father how to rule the kingdom following the ideals of Truth and Justice. Thus Devavrata was well trained in every way to take up the reins of kingship, when he came of age Shantanu enthroned Devavrata as the Yuvaraja, as his worthy successor. Devavrata, like his father, looked after his subjects with love and kindness. They felt very happy under his kind rule. Shantanu was happy to be relieved of his duties as a king. He now had plenty of leisure and rest.
One day Shantanu went out with his men to hunt. At the end of the day, his men camped on the banks of the river Jamuna,King Shantanu saw a very lovely girl called Sathyavathi who was the daughter of Dasharaja the fishermen-chieftain. Santhanu asked her hand in marriage where Dasharaja admitted but on one condition that his grandson would be the future king .Shantanu left the place heavy-hearted and was sad.After knowing the cause of his father's sadness Devavrata went to Satyavati's father and said that he would sacrifice anything for the sake of his father ,he would give up the throne and he also took the oath of Brahmachariya -that he would never marry. Dasharaja gladly agreed daughter's marriage with the king.
King Shantanu was amazed when he heard about his son's vows. He was full of praise for him. He admired his great sacrifice ,and from then on Devarata was known as BHISHMA thereafter.He aslo granted a boon that" Death will come upon him only when wish to die"
And so Bhishma became famous all over the world.
Verse 11 contributed by Poornima
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