Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 -Arjuna Vishada Yoga - Sloka 11 & 12

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbahavananda's translation of  The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Chapter 1 - Sloka 11

Ayaneshu cha sarveshu yatha bhagam avasthithah I

Bhishmam eva bhi rakshanthu bhavanthah sarva eva hi II sloka  11  

अध्याय १  - श्लोक  ११

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथा भागं अवस्थिताः ।

भीष्मं एव भी रक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ।। श्लोक ११  

Now all of you assume positions in your respective divisions and protect Bhishma alone, by all means. 

Words always take the colour of a person's mind, wholesome or unwholesome. Duryodhana's instructions put in other words, come to this: "Since you all have no initiative and are even undependable, atleast take directions from me and be of some use". 

Chapter 1 - Sloka 12

Tasya Sanjanayan harsham kuru vrddhah pithamahah I

Simha naadam vinaadyo cchaih shankham dadhmau pratapavan II sloka 12

तस्य संजनयन हर्षं कुरु व्र्द्धः पितामहः ।

सिंहनादं विनाध्यो च्चैः शङ्कां दध्मौ प्रतापवान   ।। श्लोक १२  

In order to embolden Duryodhana, Bhishma the mighty grandsire, the oldest of the Kurus, now raised a lion's roar and blew his conch.

There is no statesmanship whatsoever in the impudent remarks of the unimaginative Duryodhana. He brags impertinently and drifts  towards damping the war zeal of his allies and comrades. The prudent Field Marshall Bhishma takes note of this deteriorating

situation and comes to prompt rescue.  He roars like a lion and blows the conch indicating that war is declared.  This act, calculated to induce spirit in the mind of Duryodhana, amounts to, according to the codes of warfare, aggression by the Kauravas.