Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, and the beloved nephew of Lord Krishna, was a heroic and skilled warrior who met a tragic end on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. While still in his mother’s womb, he absorbed knowledge of warfare from his father, Arjuna. Arjuna spoke to Subhadra about the intricate battle formations, including the Chakra-Vyuha, an invincible formation known to only a few. Abhimanyu, even in his unborn state, listened intently and learned the method of breaking into the Chakra-Vyuha. However, he could not learn the method of escaping it, for Lord Krishna interrupted Arjuna at that very moment, and the lesson was never completed.
At only sixteen, Abhimanyu entered the battlefield during the great war of Kurukshetra. His valor and prowess in battle were unmatched, mirroring the skill of his illustrious father. The turning point in the battle came when Arjuna was lured away by the Samsaptakas—a hundred warriors sworn to fight him to death—leaving Yudhishthira vulnerable. To capitalize on this, Drona, the Kaurava commander, arranged the army in the formidable Chakra-Vyuha formation, intending to capture Yudhishthira and bring a swift end to the war. With Arjuna absent, only Abhimanyu knew how to penetrate the formation. In desperation, the Pandavas turned to the young prince to lead them.
Though aware of the danger, Abhimanyu agreed to enter the Chakra-Vyuha, confessing that he only knew how to break in, not how to break out. The Pandava warriors promised to follow him and aid him in retreat. With unparalleled bravery, Abhimanyu led the charge and breached the Chakra-Vyuha, advancing to the very center of the formation. However, Jayadratha, the powerful Kaurava ally and brother-in-law of Duryodhana, had received a boon from Lord Shiva that, for one day, he could single-handedly hold back the Pandavas—except for Arjuna. On this day, he exercised his boon, blocking Abhimanyu’s reinforcements and trapping him alone in the heart of the formation.
Isolated, Abhimanyu realized that he could expect no help, yet he pressed on, undeterred. His youthful courage and prowess astounded all the great Kaurava warriors. One by one, he struck down several prominent warriors and decimated a substantial portion of the Kaurava army. His fearless onslaught left Drona, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Karna, and even the venerable Bhishma at a loss, as the young prince fought like a blazing fire in the heart of the Kaurava forces.
However, as the battle continued, desperation mounted on the Kaurava side. Bound by the codes of dharma-yuddha (rules of fair warfare), the Kaurava warriors had no success against Abhimanyu. But blinded by fear and pride, they resorted to unfair means. Breaking the rules of war, the Kaurava generals surrounded Abhimanyu on all sides and launched a collective attack. Though he defended himself with remarkable courage, Abhimanyu was alone against a powerful assembly of Drona, Karna, Duryodhana, Ashwatthama, and others. The young prince fought valiantly until the son of Dushasana struck him down with a mace, ending his life. Abhimanyu’s death was the first grave transgression of the agreed-upon rules of warfare, setting a precedent that led both sides to abandon the established ethics of battle.
The news of Abhimanyu’s death shattered Arjuna’s heart. When he learned that Jayadratha was responsible for blocking the Pandavas and leaving his son isolated, his grief transformed into an unquenchable rage. Arjuna swore an oath that he would kill Jayadratha by sunset the next day, or take his own life. This vow brought intense focus to the battlefield as both sides anticipated the confrontation. With Krishna’s divine guidance, Arjuna fulfilled his vow, using strategic deception to outmaneuver Jayadratha and slay him before sunset.
Abhimanyu’s sacrifice became emblematic of youthful valor and unyielding courage, inspiring generations. His tragic end serves as a reminder of the cost of war and the vulnerability of even the greatest warriors when pitted against insurmountable odds. His memory endured, not only in the legacy of the Pandavas but also in the birth of his son, Parikshit, who later became a great king, carrying forward the lineage of the Kuru dynasty.