Section XXXI - Slaughter of Abhimanyu: Drona's Array vs Arjuna's Son
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section XXXI including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
In this passage from the Mahabharata, Sanjaya recounts how the Pandavas, led by Arjuna, were able to defeat the Kauravas and protect Yudhishthira, causing the Kaurava warriors to feel defeated and humiliated. Duryodhana accuses Drona of not fulfilling his promise to defeat Yudhishthira and expresses his frustration at their failure. Drona, feeling ashamed, reassures Duryodhana that he will achieve victory in the upcoming battle against Arjuna, whom he views as a formidable opponent alongside Krishna. Drona then plots to take Arjuna out of the field in order to ensure the success of their army.
On the battlefield, the Samsaptakas once again challenge Arjuna, leading to an intense encounter between Arjuna and his enemies. As Drona forms a brilliant and impenetrable array, Abhimanyu, at the behest of his uncle, penetrates the enemy ranks and slays numerous warriors before finally succumbing to the combined attack of six heroes, including Duhsasana's son. The death of Subhadra's son brings great joy to the Kauravas and immense grief to the Pandavas, prompting a retreat for the night.
Dhritarashtra, upon learning of Abhimanyu's tragic demise at the hands of his enemies, expresses his anguish at the cruelty of Kshatriya duties and questions how such brave warriors could attack and kill a mere child. He asks Sanjaya to recount in detail the events leading to Abhimanyu's death and the valiant efforts of the Kaurava warriors in battle against the young prince. Sanjaya begins to narrate the story of how Abhimanyu fearlessly fought against the enemy ranks and caused fear among the Kaurava warriors.
Overall, this passage highlights the intense battles, strategic maneuvers, and emotional turmoil experienced by both the Pandavas and the Kauravas during the Kurukshetra war. It showcases the bravery and skill of warriors like Arjuna and Abhimanyu, as well as the political intrigues and personal vendettas that drive the conflict between the two sides. The narrative sets the stage for the pivotal events that will unfold in the war, shaping the fates of the characters involved.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section XXXI - Slaughter of Abhimanyu: Drona's Array vs Arjuna's Son, have a look at the following articles:
Section XXXI, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section XXXI:
What was the outcome of the battle between Arjuna and Drona's army?
Arjuna penetrated the enemy ranks and fought bravely, while the enemy troops were filled with fear. Abhimanyu was slain by six heroes together.
How did Duryodhana express his frustration to Drona?
Duryodhana accused Drona of failing to fulfill his promises and letting Yudhishthira escape. He felt the Pandavas were better protected and acknowledged Arjuna's prowess.
Why did Drona feel ashamed after Duryodhana's accusations?
Duryodhana's words made Drona ashamed as he felt he had not fulfilled the king's expectations. He vowed to achieve a great feat in battle and form an impenetrable array.
Daily life: Slaughter of Abhimanyu: Drona's Array vs Arjuna's Son:
The story from the Mahabharata, involving characters like Arjuna, Drona, and the tragic figure of Abhimanyu, teaches important lessons that can be applied to our daily lives. The narrative highlights the importance of persistence, strategic thinking, and facing challenges with courage. In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where we feel overwhelmed and defeated, much like the warriors felt on the battlefield. However, the story teaches us that, amidst adversities, maintaining our focus and determination can lead us to overcome difficulties.
Arjuna’s unwavering commitment and strategic prowess, along with Abhimanyu’s bravery, albeit leading to a sad outcome, remind us that facing our challenges head-on, with preparation and courage, is crucial. Just as Drona points out the invincibility of Arjuna when he is focused and backed by Krishna, we too can become formidable in our personal and professional battles by aligning ourselves with strong principles and supportive relationships. The narrative also cautions against underestimating the challenges we face, as exemplified by the tragic fate of Abhimanyu, indicating the importance of preparedness and awareness.
In essence, the story encourages embracing challenges with a strategic approach, building strong alliances, and never losing sight of our goals, despite the adversities we may face.