The Brave Abhimanyu

Krishna's nephew Abhimanyu entered the chakravyuha alone on the thirteenth day and fell after astonishing valour. Arjuna vowed to slay Jayadratha and, with Krishna's help, kept his vow.

Abhimanyu was the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, Shri Krishna's sister, and so he was Krishna's dear nephew. He grew up in Dwarka in the loving care of his uncles and became a brilliant young warrior. He was married to Uttara, the daughter of King Virata.

According to the popular tradition, while Abhimanyu was still in his mother's womb, Arjuna once explained to Subhadra how to break into the chakravyuha, the circular battle formation. The child in the womb heard everything; but Subhadra fell asleep before Arjuna described how to come out again, and so Abhimanyu knew only the way in.

On the thirteenth day of the war, Drona arranged the Kaurava army in the chakravyuha, while Arjuna and Krishna were drawn away to fight the Samshaptaka warriors in another part of the field. No one else on the Pandava side knew how to break the formation. Young Abhimanyu offered to open the way, and the others promised to follow close behind. He broke in with great courage, but Jayadratha, strengthened by a boon from Lord Shiva, held back the Pandava warriors at the entrance. Alone inside, Abhimanyu faced many great warriors at once. Even when his bow and chariot were broken, he fought on with a chariot wheel in his hands, until at last he fell. Even his opponents marvelled at his valour.

When Arjuna returned and heard the news, his grief knew no bounds. He vowed that he would slay Jayadratha before sunset the next day, or else enter the fire himself. On the fourteenth day Jayadratha was kept hidden far behind the Kaurava ranks. As the day drew to a close, Krishna by his yogic power veiled the sun so that it seemed to have set; popular tradition says he covered it with his Sudarshana chakra. The Kauravas relaxed, Jayadratha came into view, and the sunlight returned. Arjuna fulfilled his vow, and on Krishna's advice he sent his arrow so that Jayadratha's head fell far away into the lap of his father, avoiding the curse of a boon the old king had received.

Abhimanyu's story is remembered as the highest example of youthful courage and devotion to duty. It also reminds us that half-knowledge can be dangerous, and that the Lord stands by his devotee's vow even in the darkest hour.

Source

Mahabharata, Drona Parva; learning in the womb is popular tradition

Place

Kurukshetra

Lesson

Courage and duty shine brightest in the young; half-knowledge is risky, and the Lord stands by his devotee's vow.