The War – Day 13 (Part 2)

We have seen in the last episode how Abhimanyu was trapped inside the mammoth Kaurava army and got surrounded by the stalwarts like Drona, Karna, Kripa and Salya. The Pandava warriors, lead by Bhima and Dhristadyumna were right behind him, but, their entry was blocked by Jayadratha.

But, the young Pandava was undaunted. The fighting spirit of the son of Arjuna increased many fold when he found himself, all alone, against the formidable Kaurava forces. Duryodhana, himself, had launched the attack against Abhimanyu. The Pandava fought like a lion among a herd of elephants, sending sharp arrows in quick succession in all directions. The bodies of all those who dared to face him in battle soon were strewn all over the field stuck with Abhimanyu’s arrows. The Kaurava army soon started running in all directions unable to face Krishna’s nephew in battle.

Against Salya

Duryodhana found himself all alone against Abhimanyu. The valour of the young Pandava and the plight of his army unnerved the Kaurava. He called on his veteran warriors for support. He said. “Do not fear, come and attack this arrogant Pandava. Else, he will finish us all in no time”. All the stalwarts like Salya, Kripa and Karna, lead by Drona, rushed to the scene and surrounded Duryodhana. They covered the tormentor of the Kuru prince with a shower of arrows. The Kaurava army in plight started gathering around its leaders. Duryodhana was, thus, saved from a situation that would have become fatal for the Kaurava.

But, Abhimanyu was greatly angered by the intrusion of the Kaurava warriors for letting his prey escape from his hold. He turned his wrath to his detractors. One of the powerful arrows from Abhimanyu pierced through the armour of Karna and found its target on his chest. Another hit Salya with such a force that the Madra king lost his sense for a while. Tha Kaurava army started to flee, again, frightened by that sight.

The brother of Salya was angered by the daring feat of Abhimanyu. He came to take revenge on the young Pandava. A fierce battle took place between the two. The Madra prince was killed at the end by one of Abhimanyu’s well aimed arrows.

Drona’s Praise

The Pandava hero, then, stated moving quickly through the Kaurava army destroying everything that came his way. None was able to check the spirited battle of the son of Arjuna. Drona was wonder struck at the display of superior skill by the young Pandava. He exclaimed. “Here we find the best of Pandavas. There is none to match his fighting skill in the whole world. It appears that our entire army will perish in no time under his attack”.

Duryodhana happened to overhear this remark. He spoke to those near him. “If our teacher sets his mind, even the god of death will not escape from his hold. He is being soft on the son of his favourite disciple”.

Dussasana’s futile attempt

Dussasana heard this and came forward to teach their arrogant enemy a lesson. Abhimanyu accepted the challenge from the Kaurava and said to him. “I am fortunate that I have you against me today. I shall avenge for all the insults on my father and uncles”. So saying, the Pandava unleashed a torrent of arrows against his enemy. Dussasana was unable to face his young opponent much longer and his charioteer had to save his life by driving out of the battle field.

That scene cheered the Pandavas who were trying to make an entry into the Kaurava army. They renewed their thrust with all their might. But, the Sindhu king stood firm in their path fighting tooth and nail without yielding even an inch of ground. The Pandavas were frustrated without getting entry through the formidable circular formation of Drona.

The plight of Dussasana brought Karna on the scene. Even the son of Adhiratha, in spite of trying all in his power, had to turn back unable to withstand the unfailing arrows from Abhimanyu. Karna’s brother could not tolerate this and he confronted Abhimanyu in a straight combat. But, within no time the young Pandava sent his opponent to the abode of the dead.
Several other prominent warriors on the Kaurava side perished at the hands of the Pandava hero. Lakshmana, the son of Duryodhana, was one among them. So was Rukmaratha, the son of Salya.

The death of their dear ones angered the Kauravas even further. They made, again, an all out attack against Abhimanyu. All the Kaurava stalwarts like Drona, Salya and Kripa were among them. The battle grew in intensity. The Kaurava army soon started dissipating under the onslaught of the lone Pandava in their midst.

Abhimanyu did not bother to find whether any help came his way. His mind was set on annihilating, as though, the entire Kaurava army.

An act of cowardice

Karna had to accept, after a prolonged battle, his inability to do anything against the young Pandava hero. He pleaded for help from the Acharya. “Sir, please tell us how we can tackle this formidable Pandava. We have tried all the tactics of warfare that we learnt from you. Nothing seems to work against this valorous prince”.

Drona said. “True, Karna. We cannot defeat this young hero in straight combat. If you want success, you have to look for other means. Try and cut his bow without facing him”.

All the Kauravas were bent on putting an end to their oppressor by any means. They encircled the lone warrior and started dispatching arrows at the same. Karna broke Abhimanyu’s bow. The Pandava lost his charioteer and horses as prey to the arrows of Salya and Kripa respectively.

Abhimanyu was unperturbed. He jumped out of his chariot with sword and shield in hand and advanced towards his enemies. But, Drona sent shafts in quick succession cutting his weapons into pieces.

The last bold stand

Abhimanyu stood totally disarmed against his formidable enemies. It took no time for the son of Arjuna to improvise a weapon. He quickly bent down and removed one wheel of his chariot. Revolving the wheel like a discus, the young hero rushed towards Drona. All the Kauravas were wonder struck by this unexpected move of Abhimanyu. Then, they all joined hands and cut the wheel down into pieces by their arrows.

There was a club left in the chariot of Abhimanyu. He quickly grabbed that fell among the Kaurava soldiers. He started swinging his weapon in all directions. Several of his enemies were killed in the process.

The son of Dussasana quickly came forward and met Abhimanyu in combat. The two fought like two lion cubs for a while. But, the young Pandava was exhausted soon. His long and lone fight against all the veteran Kauravas had exhausted him completely. When he was panting for breath the son of Dussasana smashed Abhimanyu’s head with his own club.

Thus ended the most heroic battles fought until that day. It was also one of the most cowardly acts in which a large number of veteran fighters hunted down a lone, young warrior. The hero lay dead on the ground amidst thousands of those killed by him.

(To be continued)