In the previous episode, we had commenced witnessing the proceedings of Day Thirteen at Kurukshetra, wherein Abhimanyu (Arjuna’s son) is unleashing his full force on the Kaurava army. Arjuna is driven away smartly by Guru Dhronachaarya, who also is instrumental in formulating the “Chakra-Vyugam” to trap Abhimanyu. As planned on expected lines, Yudishtra instructs Abhimanyu to take the lead in breaking down the “Chakra-Vyugam” and the others like Bheemasena, King Drupata, Saatyaki, etc. will follow closely behind Abhimanyu as he breaches his way into the Kaurava army. Abhimanyu is successful by and large in opening up the “Chakra-Vyugam” and is involved in a fierce battle with all the Kaurava stalwarts including the likes of Karna, Duryodhana and the others. Guru Dhronachaarya is watching patiently from the other end and is amazed by Abhimanyu’s prowess! He is proving to be Arjuna’s apt son as he has almost the entire set of Arjuna’s prowess in him. As Guru Drhonachaarya is admiring Abhimanyu thus, Duryodhana barges in and fumes at him for his gross inaction against Abhimanyu!
Now moving on further, Guru Dhronachaarya has to reply to Duryodhana’s unnecessary fuming. So he says to Duryodhana thus, “Oh Duryodhana! The way you are fuming against me shows how cowardly you are! You do not have even a single iota of valour left in you! It does not matter whether Abhimanyu is going to be alive or dead after this war! However, the way in which Abhimanyu is fighting today – He has garnered a lot of pride and praise to your entire family! Oh Duryodhana! You’re asking me whether he would die or not. Let me tell you one thing clearly – It is not important whether a person is alive or dead! Everybody is going to die some day and it is only a matter of time. However, what has the person accomplished during his lifetime? This is extremely important! In the case of Abhimanyu, he has defied his age to accomplish something huge today, which I’ve never seen youngsters doing! He has single-handedly taken on almost all key people here with ease! Karna is struggling! Your son Lakshmana has been killed! You yourself have not been able to win over him! This is the prowess that I’m admiring in him! Oh Duryodhana! He has already accomplished what he has to! So even if you kill him now, the bad name will come to you only and not for him! After All he’s a youngster!”
Saying thus, Guru Dhronachaarya is all in praise for Abhimanyu, and with a keen intent on testing his prowess, Guru Dhronachaarya decides to take on Abhimanyu. As both of them come in front of each other, Abhimanyu immediately bows down in respect towards the great teacher! He seeks Guru Dhronachaarya’s “Anugraha” and pays his respects towards him, which moves Guru Dhronachaarya! Even at such a young age and with such great prowess, the value system which Arjuna has built into his son is impeccable! Guru Dhronachaarya acknowledges Abhimanyu’s token of respect and with that, a marquee battle ensues between the two! The entire Kurukshetra battlefield stops for a while to witness this amazing display of warfare! Guru Dhronachaarya is unleashing his full potential by showering an array of arrows upon Abhimanyu, who in turn is extremely smart enough to navigate through all of them and advance further! Guru Dhronachaarya tries out several “Asthras” against Abhimanyu, only to see all of them getting neutralized within a split of a second! Abhimanyu is truly impeccable and invincible! Arjuna has trained him exceptionally well and it reflects in the battlefield in front of all the legendary warriors!
Meanwhile, as Abhimanyu advances further into the “Chakra-Vyugam” layer after layer, he corners Guru Dhronachaarya with several arrows and with this, Guru Dhronachaarya is stalled without further movement! At one point, Abhimanyu makes Guru Dhronachaarya look like a fool in front of him! All his plans to corner Abhimanyu seem to have been thwarted quite easily! As the fight goes on, Abhimanyu is not just focusing on Guru Dhronachaarya, but is able to swirl and exhibit a 360 degree fight! As a result, thousands of warriors are getting killed all around! The “Chakra-Vyugam” has been completely breached by the youngster quite effortlessly! Now as Abhimanyu breaches through, other like Yudishtra, Bheemasena, Drishtadhyumna, Saatyaki etc. try to follow him as planned earlier. Abhimanyu is breaching layer after layer and is going inside extremely fast, even as Guru Dhronachaarya is struggling hard to contain him from one end!
So for today, let us enjoy this extremely admirable warfare exhibited by the young Abhimanyu as the entire Kurukshetra battlefield is stunned to bits! We shall wait till the next episode to check out whether the others are able to follow Abhimanyu into the “Chakra-Vyugam” or are they going to get stalled somewhere and leave Abhimanyu all alone to fend for himself! Stay tuned for an important accord!
The Indian Dharma 