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| Kurukshetra and After |
All the princes returned to their camps but Bhishma was to lie thus on the battlefield for forty days till his death.
After Bhishma's fall, Duryodhana chose Karna as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army. But Karna stepped aside in favour of Drona, who was older and more experienced. On the eleventh day of the war, Duryodhana, planning the strategy, commanded Drona to concentrate his efforts on the capture of Yudhishthira. If Yudhishthira were to be captured alive, Duryodhana reasoned secretly to himself, he could be enticed into yet another game of dice and be defeated. Such a defeat would be so much easier.
Drona was in command for five days. During this period he demoralised the Pandava forces. Wherever he went, he left death and destruction behind. On the thirteenth day of battle, Arjuna was away from the battle field. Dronacharya arranged his army in a Chakravyuha (circular formation) and attacked warriors on the Pandavas' side reducing their resistance to nothing.
Abhimanyu had already won recognition as a mighty warrior, promising to be equal to Arjuna and Krishna in prowess. Yudhishthira called Abhimanyu and said, "Dear child, Arjuna is away and Drona seems to be bent upon destroying us. None but Arjuna or yourself can breach this formation. I now ask you to take up this formidable task on your young shoulders."
"I shall certainly do so," replied Abhimanyu "I have learnt how to break into this formation. But it may not be possible for me to come out of it. But I must take up the challenge."
And then Abhimanyu asked his charioteer to drive to the spot where Drona's flag was seen flying. Like a young lion among a herd of elephants, Abhimanyu fell upon the Kaurava forces. His fierce charge weakened the Chakravyuha. Soon Abhimanyu broke in. Bhima and other Pandava warriors were following close behind with their forces and rushed to follow Abhimanyu. But before they could do so, the breach was firmly closed by Jayadratha, the Sindu king and his warriors, and Abhimanyu was trapped inside all alone! The Pandavas fought desperately to break in but were unable to do so.
The Kaurava warriors attacked Abhimanyu but he fought back aggresively. Seeing the destruction caused by him, Duryodhana rushed to stall the young boy. Abhimanyu sent his arrows with a sure aim and the warriors surrounding him rescued Duryodhana with great difficulty. Then abandoning the ethics of war, several veteran warriors made a combined attack on Abhimanyu.
Karna's arrow broke Abhimanyu's bow in two. His horses and charioteer were also killed. The young hero jumped to the ground and, sword in hand, faced his enemies. Drona then, sent an arrow which broke Abhimanyu's sword. And then, Dushahsana cut off his arm. And yet, Abhimanyu continued to fight. Dushahsana then cut off his other limbs, one by one. But Abhimanyu's eyes remained proud and defiant, eager for combat, even while he lay helpless upon the earth. And then, Jayadratha charged up to Abhimanyu and dealt the final blow that killed him. The deed done, the Kauravas returned to their camp at sunset, rejoicing in their victory. | |
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