The Bhagavad Gita offers powerful life lessons that are just as valuable for kids. To make these teachings engaging and accessible, we break down each verse and provide fun, interactive activities to help your child learn while having fun.
In this article, we’ll explore Chapter 1, Verse 11, but you can click here for a master article with links to other verses and their lessons.
In Chapter 1, Verse 11, Duryodhana orders his army to focus on protecting Bhishma, believing that as long as Bhishma is safe, victory is assured. But this strategy ultimately fails. Why? Because strategy alone is not enough—true success requires righteousness (dharma) and adaptability.
This article will explain the leadership and strategic lessons from this verse in a way that children can understand, with engaging discussions, real-life applications, and fun learning activities.
Table of Contents
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 11 – What Does It Say?
Sanskrit Verse
अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिता: |
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्त: सर्व एव हि || 11||
English Transliteration
ayaneṣhu cha sarveṣhu yathā-bhāgamavasthitāḥ
bhīṣhmamevābhirakṣhantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi
Word by Word English Translation
First Sentence
अयनेषु (ayaneṣhu): Strategic points
च (cha): and
सर्वेषु (sarveṣhu): all
यथाभागमवस्थिता: (yathā-bhāgamavasthitāḥ): situated in respective positions
Second Sentence
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु (bhīṣhmamevābhirakṣhantu): Defend only Bheeshma
भवन्त (bhavantaḥ): you
सर्व (sarva): all
एव (eva): even
हि (hi): as
Verse Meaning in English
“Positioned in their respective places in the battle formations, all of you should protect Bhishma alone.”
At first glance, this seems like a strong strategic move. Bhishma was the strongest warrior in the Kaurava army, so Duryodhana thought protecting him would guarantee success. However, this strategy ultimately failed.
Why Did Duryodhana’s Plan Fail?
Duryodhana’s failure teaches us that good strategy must include righteousness, flexibility, and wisdom.
Here’s why his plan didn’t work:
1. He Ignored Righteousness (Dharma)
- Duryodhana was fighting for personal gain, not justice. The Pandavas were fighting for their rightful kingdom, while Duryodhana was fighting out of greed and pride.
- Even Bhishma himself did not fully support Duryodhana. He fought because of duty but refused to harm the Pandavas too much, particularly Arjuna.
- Lesson: A plan that is not based on fairness and justice will ultimately fail.
2. He Lacked Adaptability
- His entire plan revolved around protecting Bhishma, but when Bhishma was neutralized (using Shikhandi), Duryodhana had no backup strategy.
- He underestimated his opponents. Krishna and the Pandavas exploited his over-reliance on Bhishma by using Shikhandi as a shield, making Bhishma stop fighting.
- Even after losing Bhishma, Duryodhana stubbornly refused to change tactics, leading to his downfall.
- Lesson: A strategy must be flexible enough to change when things don’t go as expected.
Why Is Protecting a Leader Important?
1. Leaders Provide Guidance and Direction
- A leader sets the path for a team, ensuring that everyone works toward a common goal.
- However, a leader must also be wise and just—otherwise, their leadership may lead people in the wrong direction.
🔹 Example for Kids: Imagine a school project where one person takes charge but makes unfair decisions, ignoring their teammates’ ideas. Even though they are the leader, their bad choices can hurt the entire team.
2. Leaders Need Support to Make Good Decisions
- Good followers do more than just obey—they offer advice, ask questions, and help their leader make the right choices.
🔹 Example for Kids: If a soccer team’s captain decides to play in a way that isn’t working, teammates should suggest a better approach instead of blindly following bad decisions.
3. Choosing the Right Leaders Matters
- Duryodhana was not a wise leader. His warriors protected Bhishma out of duty, not belief in his cause.
- This teaches us that following a leader without questioning their actions can lead to disaster.
🔹 Example for Kids: If a group of friends follows a leader who encourages them to cheat on a test, the whole group will get into trouble. It’s important to choose leaders who are fair, kind, and wise.
The Importance of Strategic Thinking in Life
1. Strategy Must Be Adaptable
- Duryodhana’s mistake was relying too much on one plan. When it failed, he was lost.
- A good strategy must be flexible enough to change when things don’t go as expected.
🔹 Example for Kids: Imagine planning a picnic, but it starts to rain. A good strategist will have a backup plan, like an indoor game or movie, instead of just canceling everything.
2. Planning Must Consider Ethics and Morality
- Duryodhana’s strategy focused only on winning, not on what was right. The Pandavas, on the other hand, followed dharma and ultimately succeeded.
- In life, cheating or using shortcuts may seem like a smart strategy, but in the long run, honesty and integrity lead to real success.
🔹 Example for Kids: If a student memorizes answers instead of understanding concepts, they might pass a test but struggle later. True success comes from real learning, not just shortcuts.
Fun Activities to Teach Leadership, Strategy & Ethics
For Ages 4-6: “The Wise King’s Choices”
- One child plays the “King,” and others act as advisors and citizens.
- The King must make fair decisions based on different scenarios.
Lesson: Good leaders listen to advice and make ethical choices.
For Ages 7-10: “The Battle of Strategy”
- Kids divide into teams and plan defenses for a fort.
- Introduce unexpected challenges to teach adaptability.
Lesson: A strategy must be flexible to be successful.
For Ages 11-14: “The Ethical Dilemma Debate”
- Present real-life ethical dilemmas and have kids debate solutions.
Lesson: Ethics and fairness are more important than short-term success.
For Ages 15+: “The Chess Challenge – Lessons from Duryodhana”
- Play chess, but one side must protect a key piece at all costs (like Bhishma).
Lesson: Over-reliance on one strategy can lead to failure.
Conclusion: Lessons from Chapter 1, Verse 11
This verse teaches us that leadership, strategy, and ethical decision-making go hand in hand. True success comes from:
✔️ Making fair and just decisions.
✔️ Being adaptable when things don’t go as planned.
✔️ Supporting leaders but also questioning bad decisions.
By understanding these lessons, kids can apply them in real life—whether in school, sports, or friendships.
