We’re at a very important juncture wherein Abhimanyu is unleashing his full prowess against the Kaurava army on Day Thirteen of the Kurukshetra war. Abhimanyu’s exhibition of dazzling competence stuns even stalwarts like Guru Dhronachaarya as well, who has by far underestimated Abhimanyu due to his young age. Thus, as Abhimanyu gives Guru Dhronachaarya a run for his money, he is now advancing further into the “Chakra-Vyugam” by breaking it open. As planned, Yudishtra and Co. try to close in along with Abhimanyu as he enters, however, the youngster is extremely quick in cornering warrior after warrior, including Guru Dhronachaarya as he enters every layer. At one point, Guru Dhronachaarya himself could not contain Abhimanyu as he swirls full 360 degrees to kill thousands of warriors around him effortlessly.
It is at this time, a very important incident occurs. Readers must remember one important thing here – Jayatrada, a key warrior in the Kaurava camp had obtained a boon earlier from Bhagawan Shiva – For one full day (24 hours), he can capture the four Paandava brothers (except Arjuna) and keep them as captives. We’ve to trace back a bit to understand the background of this boon. Once upon a time, Jayatrada fell in love with Draupati and eventually ended up abducting her. However, Arjuna was quick enough to understand this ploy from Jayatrada and chases him for a war. At the end of the fight, Arjuna successfully defeated Jayatrada and saves Draupati. Insulted by Arjuna in this way, Jayatrada launches a severe penance towards Bhagawan Shiva. Impressed by his penance, Bhagawan Shiva appears in front of him and requests him to ask for a boon. Jayatrada asks for a boon of being able to kill all the five Paandava brothers at a stretch. Even as Jayatrada asks for it, Bhagawan Shiva refuses to grant that boon. However, Bhagawan Shiva grants him a boon that excepting Arjuna, he can capture the remaining four Paandava brothers and keep them as captives for a single day.
Thus, as Jayatrada is in the battlefield currently at Kurukshetra, he suddenly remembers this boon that Bhagawan Shiva had given him in the past. Hence, he quickly advances towards the four Paandava brothers who are trying to follow Abhimanyu into the “Chakra-Vyugam” and captures them! Thus, the bid of Yudishtra to follow Abhimanyu is foiled and as a result, Abhimanyu is now left alone inside the several layers of the “Chakra-Vyuga”! However, Abhimanyu is no less a warrior to fend for himself, even if it is going to be tough. He swirls and continues the war from all directions single-handedly and finishes off six important “Maharathis” on that day, including Duryodhana’s son. Adding to the thousand warriors, Abhimanyu’s ferocious attack made another nine-thousand warriors fall to death! Thus, a substantial portion of the Kaurava army had to meet its end because of Abhimanyu’s relentless attack.
Now as Abhimanyu is in such a devastating mood, the plan of the Kaurava army changes – Rather than individually attacking Abhimanyu, the entire team of stalwarts in the Kaurava camp including the likes of Duryodhana, Ducchaasana, Sahuni, Karna, etc. along with Guru Dhronachaarya launch a scathing attack on Abhimanyu from all four directions together! One person is trying to sabotage Abhimanyu’s chariot and breaks its wheels. The chariot breaks down and Abhimanyu is pushed to the ground. Even then the youngster is relentless in his fight and continues his onslaught from the ground. Simultaneously another person from the Kaurava team breaks off Abhimanyu’s bow, however, Abhimanyu controls him with his sword! Once again Abhimanyu shows his expertise to the Kaurava army in an impeccable manner and he swirls 360 degrees to fight out the entire team single-handedly! Everybody in the Kaurava army get severely injured, including the likes of Duryodhana and Karna! Abhimanyu is in the peak of his form and is in no mood to relent! His onslaught continues and several important foot soldiers guarding the “Chakra-Vyugam” formation are falling dead continuously!
Upon looking at this, Duryodhana quickly approaches Guru Dhronachaarya and says thus, “Oh Guru! With the way Abhimanyu is fighting, I don’t think we’re going to sustain even till this evening! All of us are going to be finished off very soon! Nobody is even able to get closer to him and moment after moment, his prowess is only increasing manifold! So we’ve to think out of the box! The strategies which we were employing till now are not going to work anymore! What do we do now?” As Duryodhana asks thus, Guru Dhronachaarya also is thoughtful about what can be done to contain Abhimanyu! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness what is the fresh strategy that Duryodhana and Guru Dhronachaarya are going to come up with! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 