Section XL - Abhimanyu's Rescue: Jayadratha's Boon and Heroism
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section XL 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:
Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya about the heroism of Jayadratha, who single-handedly checked the Pandavas in battle. Sanjaya recounts how Jayadratha underwent severe austerities to receive a boon from Lord Mahadeva, which granted him the ability to only be defeated by Arjuna and to check the other Pandava brothers in battle. With the strength of his celestial weapons and the divine boon, Jayadratha successfully held back the Pandava army, inspiring fear in their ranks and delighting the Kaurava forces.
Despite being humiliated by Bhimasena previously, Jayadratha sought power through ascetic practices and received the boon from Lord Mahadeva to be able to confront the Pandavas. His determination and devotion to Lord Mahadeva granted him the ability to withstand the might of the Pandavas and single-handedly hold them back in battle. Despite the overwhelming odds, Jayadratha stood firm on the battlefield, fulfilling the conditions of the boon he had received.
The Pandava army, led by Yudhishthira and other powerful warriors, rushed to rescue Abhimanyu and confront Jayadratha. Witnessing the ferocity and determination of the Pandava forces, the Kaurava troops initially turned away from the fight. However, Jayadratha rallied his forces and bravely faced the Pandavas, fulfilling the conditions of the boon he had received from Lord Mahadeva. With his celestial weapons and immense courage, Jayadratha was able to resist the Pandavas and maintain his position on the battlefield.
Dhritarashtra expresses admiration for Jayadratha's bravery and skill in facing the Pandavas single-handedly, acknowledging the heavy burden placed upon him to confront such formidable foes. Sanjaya explains how Jayadratha's past humiliation drove him to seek divine assistance and undergo severe austerities to gain the power needed to confront the Pandavas. Despite the challenges he faced, Jayadratha's determination, devotion, and the boon he received from Lord Mahadeva enabled him to hold his ground against the Pandavas and inspire fear in their ranks.
Full English translation:
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Section XL, 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 XL:
Who did Abhimanyu's sires and maternal uncles rally to rescue him from battle?
Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Sikhandin, Satyaki, Nakula, Sahadeva, and others joined the fight.
What boon did Jayadratha receive from Lord Mahadeva to check the Pandavas in battle?
Jayadratha was granted the ability to single-handedly hold back the Pandava army, except for Arjuna.
Daily life: Abhimanyu's Rescue: Jayadratha's Boon and Heroism:
The story of Jayadratha's encounter with the Pandavas highlights the significance of determination, perseverance, and seeking guidance to overcome challenges. In daily life, one can draw inspiration from Jayadratha's dedication to achieve his goals, despite previous setbacks. Facing adversity head-on, as he did, teaches us the importance of not allowing past failures to hinder our present efforts.
By undergoing severe austerities and showing unwavering focus, Jayadratha received the blessing he sought. This demonstrates how setting clear objectives, coupled with hard work and sometimes seeking support or guidance, can lead to achieving our aspirations. Even though the context of our challenges might differ, the essence of overcoming obstacles by harnessing inner strength and determination is universally applicable.
Moreover, Jayadratha's story underscores the power of belief in oneself and the role of external support in conquering adversities. It serves as a reminder that resilience, coupled with the right attitude and actions, can enable us to tackle even seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our lives.