~~~ The thirteenth day at Kurukshetra
verily an unfortunate day
for this is the day a hero falls
the likes of which were never seen again
there he stands on his chariot but his face is clouded with worry
his armour shooting arrows of light mind disturbed by confusion
truly he looks like the son a David among Goliaths he stands
of the king of the night a mammoth task on his youthful shoulders
his uncle, the king must be protected
his father is away
the enemy has planned a tricky strategy
a war formation-which only he knows how to break
The Chakravyuha or Padmavyuha as it is called
in the shape of a circular lotus it is arranged
a deadly trap like a venus fly-catcher
death is certain for those who enter
“I know how to enter, he laments but my lovely mother fell asleep
but of how to escape it I am unaware uninterested in the skills of warfare
my father taught it to my mother so I learnt only how to enter
when I was in her womb and of knowledge of the exit I was deprived”
“Go forth bravely”, his uncle says,
we’ll follow you closely
no one can harm even a hair
on your head while we are there
and so Abhimanyu enters
a hero-true to his name
with courage in his heart
and the Lord’s name on his lips
he prays, ‘let me make my father proud today” so rapidly do his arrows fly
like a lion he is fierce, like an eagle swift that they remain unseen to the eye
ten thousand soldiers fall only their stabbing tip is felt
under his wrathful gaze before the receivers keel over and die
the brave warrior forges on
unaware of the goings on
his uncles have been trapped behind
he’s alone behind the enemy line
when he realizes the danger
its far too late
a true warrior does not his fate berate
bravely onwards he wanders
finding chinks in the enemy’s armour but treachery raises its ugly head
he is Yama himself incarnate alone he battles a crowd
into every heart he strikes a mindless fear Karna, Drona, Vrshasena, Salya, Durmashana
claiming lives as he plans an escape Duryodhana, Dussasana, Lakshmana, Aswathhaman
and Kritavarman all surround
scavengers against this lonely lion
Karna does his bowstrings break
and Kritavarman leaves him chariotless
multiple arrows upon him rain
he is now grievously wounded
yet unnerved and undaunted
he rises with sword and shield in hand
he challenges his attackers thus, come one by one and I shall be glad
“O mighty warriors, this cowardly act to give you a good fight
does not your stature befit, the laws of war and in this fair combat befitting kings
do not prescribe for many to stand against one may the best man win”
but his plea for fairness went unheard
Karna breaks his shield and Drona cuts his sword
unarmed and bleeding he employs
his chariot wheel as a final defense
but corruption is a cruel master
that ruled the minds of his attackers
together in all injustice
they smash the chariot wheel to smithereens
they laugh their wicked laughs with deceitful swords he is felled
and rejoice at Abhimanyu’s helplessness but even in death he is dignified
to his honour and their ignominy his only regret is that he shall not live to see
with ruthlessness they strike his queen, Uttara and his child
but as he thinks of his father
his heart is filled with pride
“look father”, he screams to the skies
“your son has died a hero’s death”
“against many Maharathis he has stood his ground
and fulfilled his dharma - he hopes you are proud
his last wish is that you should avenge
the treason that has driven him to this end”
with these last words poor Abhimanyu - his words echoed
he leaves this world filling the battlefield with dread
the villains around him dance his uncles hear his bellowing roars
in a shameful victory celebration and know that their beloved is dead
with their mind-numbing sorrow
comes their unquenchable fear
how will they let their brother know
that he must light his son’s pyre
with bloodshot eyes they swear
that his noble death will be avenged
and then they fall deeper in sorrow
as the sun sets upon their beloved
his blood mixes with the earth his death shall be a reminder
as the Gods rain praises above him that honour comes not with age
“here lies a true champion but by one’s actions is one’s worth determined
unbeaten and courageous ascend Abhimanyu to the heavens!”
The thirteenth day at Kurukshetra
verily an unfortunate day
for this is the day a hero fell
the likes of which were never seen again
- Vijayalakshmi Harish
16.09.2012
Copyright © Vijayalakshmi Harish
In the Indian epic Mahabharata, Abhimanyu is the son of the Pandava Arjuna and Subhadra the sister of Lord Krishna. He is thus the nephew of the other four Pandava brothers. Since Karna is also a son of Kunti, he also was a nephew to Karna, one of his murderers. Though Abhimanyu and the other Pandavas were unaware of this fact, Karna was cognizant of the relationship, which is what makes the killing of Abhimanyu a particularly heinous crime.
He is husband to the Matsya kingdom's princess, Uttarā, who was pregnant with his child Parikshikt at the time of his death.
Abhimanyu is also said to be an incarnation of Varchas, the son of the Moon God.
The Mahabharata records that Karna was instrumental in the killing of Abhimanyu. Karna asks Drona how Abhimanyu can be killed to which Drona replies : "Abhimanyu is young, his prowess is great. His coat of mail is impenetrable. This one's father had been taught by me the method of wearing defensive armour. This subjugator of hostile towns assuredly knoweth the entire science (of wearing armour). With shafts well shot, you can, however, cut off his bow, bow-string, the reins of his steeds, the steeds themselves, and two Parshni charioteers. O mighty bowman, O son of Radha, if competent, do this. Making him turn back from the fight (by this means), strike him then. With his bow in hand he is incapable of being vanquished by the very gods and the Asuras together. If you wish, deprive him of his car, and divest him of his bow".
Abhimanyu was 16 years old at the time of his death. The name Abhimanyu is a Sanskrit word meaning "heroic".
