Brave Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu was the son of Arjun and Subhadra. Subhadra was Shri Krishna's sister, so Shri Krishna was Abhimanyu's uncle. Abhimanyu grew up in Dwarka. He learned archery from his father Arjun, and while still very young he became as skilled as the greatest warriors.

People also tell a sweet story about him. Before Abhimanyu was born, while he was still in his mother's womb, Arjun was one day telling Subhadra about the chakravyuh. The chakravyuh was a very difficult way of arranging an army in rings within rings, like a maze. Arjun explained how to get inside it. But before he could explain how to come out, Subhadra fell asleep. That, people say, is why Abhimanyu knew how to enter the chakravyuh, but not how to come out.

Many years later, a great war was fought at Kurukshetra. On the thirteenth day, Guru Dronacharya arranged his army in a chakravyuh. That day, Arjun was away, fighting in another part of the field. No one else on the Pandava side knew how to break into the chakravyuh.

Then Yudhishthir turned to sixteen-year-old Abhimanyu for help. Without any fear, Abhimanyu said, "Tauji, I can open the way into the formation. But if there is trouble, I do not know how to come out." Yudhishthir and Bhim said, "You open the way, and we will all be right behind you."

Abhimanyu told his charioteer, "Go, towards Dronacharya's army!" Bravely he broke through the ring and got inside. The great warriors were amazed at how quick and skilled he was. All by himself, he pushed back many mighty fighters.

But at the entrance, Jayadrath held back the Pandavas who were following. Abhimanyu was left alone inside. Then many great warriors surrounded the lone hero together, which was against the rules of war. His chariot broke, and his bow broke too, but Abhimanyu was not afraid. He lifted a chariot wheel and stood his ground bravely to the very end. That day, Abhimanyu fell as a hero.

Arjun and all the Pandavas were filled with grief, but they were proud of their brave son too. Later, Abhimanyu's son Parikshit grew up to become a great king.

Even today, when a child shows great courage, people lovingly say, "He is as brave as Abhimanyu."