Chapter 7
The Death of Abhimanyu
1.Why was Karna offered the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Kaurava army, and why did he decline it?
Answer: When Bhishma fell, the Kauravas needed a strong leader to take his place as Commander-in-Chief. Karna, being a brave and skilled warrior, was offered the position. However, he declined out of respect for Drona, who was older and more experienced, believing Drona was better suited to lead the army.
2.What was Duryodhana’s strategy against Yudhishthira on the eleventh day of the war?
Answer: Duryodhana requested Drona to capture Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, by using a battle strategy that would distract Arjuna. He wanted Arjuna to be engaged with other warriors so that Drona could have an opportunity to trap Yudhishthira.
3.How did Arjuna manage to protect Yudhishthira during Drona’s attack?
Answer: On the eleventh day, Susharma’s sons launched a fierce attack on Arjuna to divert his attention. Despite fighting on two fronts, Arjuna used his skill and bravery to defend himself while Bhima came to Yudhishthira’s rescue, ensuring that Drona’s plan failed.
4.What is a Chakravyuh and why was it considered a dangerous formation?
Answer: A Chakravyuh is a circular military formation designed like a wheel, with concentric rings of warriors. It was considered extremely dangerous because only a few warriors, such as Arjuna and Abhimanyu, knew how to enter and fight through it effectively.
5.Who were the only warriors who knew the secret of entering and exiting the Chakravyuh?
Answer: Only Arjuna, Krishna, Pradyumna, and Abhimanyu knew how to enter the Chakravyuh. However, Abhimanyu only knew how to enter it, not how to exit, which later became a critical factor in his death.
6.How did Abhimanyu display his bravery while piercing the Chakravyuh?
Answer: Abhimanyu displayed remarkable courage and skill as a young warrior. Despite being surrounded by powerful Kaurava warriors, he broke through the concentric rings with his weapons, fought bravely, and continued attacking even when his bow, sword, and chariot wheel were destroyed.
7.Who were the key Kaurava warriors that fought against Abhimanyu?
Answer: Abhimanyu was surrounded by eminent warriors like Drona, Duryodhana, Dushasana, Kama, and Jayadratha, all of whom attacked him simultaneously to prevent the Pandava army from helping him.
8.How was Abhimanyu eventually killed?
Answer: After all his weapons were broken, Abhimanyu fought with the wheel of his chariot until it too was destroyed. Finally, the Kaurava warriors, led by Jayadratha, killed him unarmed, making his death a symbol of betrayal and cruelty in the war.
9.What role did Jayadratha play in the death of Abhimanyu?
Answer: Jayadratha played a decisive and unscrupulous role. He struck the fatal blow after Abhimanyu had been rendered unarmed and defenseless. His actions were considered unprincipled, and he became the primary target of Arjuna’s vow for revenge.
10.What vow did Arjuna take after the death of Abhimanyu?
Answer: Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha the next day by sunset, or else he would kill himself. This vow intensified the battle and became the central mission of the Pandavas on the following day.
11.Why did the Kauravas panic when they heard about Arjuna’s vow?
Answer: Jayadratha’s life was at stake due to Arjuna’s vow. The Kauravas panicked because if Arjuna succeeded in killing Jayadratha, it would avenge Abhimanyu’s death and demoralize their army. They decided to protect Jayadratha at all costs.
12.How did the Kauravas try to protect Jayadratha?
Answer: Duryodhana promised that the entire Kaurava army would dedicate itself to protecting Jayadratha. They surrounded him with multiple layers of warriors, creating an almost impregnable shield to prevent Arjuna from reaching him.
13.How did Arjuna overcome the Kaurava army to reach Jayadratha?
Answer: Arjuna fought fiercely, breaking through the lines of elephants and soldiers. Despite strong resistance at every step, he used his unmatched archery skills and Krishna’s guidance to reach the center of the formation where Jayadratha was hiding.
14.What challenge did Duryodhana pose to Arjuna during the pursuit of Jayadratha?
Answer: Duryodhana challenged Arjuna to a duel. At first, Arjuna’s arrows seemed ineffective due to Duryodhana’s magic armor. Arjuna then cleverly targeted the unprotected parts of Duryodhana’s body, eventually overcoming him to continue his mission.
15.How did Krishna assist Arjuna in fulfilling his vow?
Answer: Krishna, aware of the setting sun and the time restriction, used his divine power to create a mist, obscuring the sun. This ensured that Arjuna had more time to fulfill his vow and kill Jayadratha before sunset.
16.Explain why Abhimanyu’s knowledge of the Chakravyuh was incomplete.
Answer: Abhimanyu knew how to enter the Chakravyuh because he had learned it while in his mother’s womb listening to his father Arjuna’s teachings. However, he did not learn the technique of exiting it, which ultimately led to his isolation and death.
17.Why was the Chakravyuh formation significant in the war strategy?
Answer: The Chakravyuh was used by Drona to trap key warriors like Yudhishthira or Arjuna. It allowed the Kauravas to isolate enemy warriors and gain a strategic advantage, making it a formidable formation in ancient warfare.
18.Describe the Pandava strategy to counter Drona’s Chakravyuh.
Answer: Arjuna, Krishna, and Pradyumna were meant to breach the Chakravyuh. When they were away, Abhimanyu was asked to lead the army in their absence. The strategy relied on coordinated attacks, but unfortunately, Abhimanyu’s partial knowledge and the Kaurava blockade led to his martyrdom.
19.What was the role of Bhima during the war on the eleventh day?
Answer: Bhima came to the rescue of Yudhishthira when Drona attempted to capture him. His intervention helped protect the Pandava king and ensured that Drona’s plans did not succeed.
20.How did the Kauravas’ treatment of Abhimanyu reflect their moral principles?
Answer: The Kauravas’ act of surrounding an unarmed Abhimanyu and killing him violated the rules of war and reflected their unscrupulous and cruel nature. Jayadratha’s decisive blow highlighted the moral corruption and unethical practices of the Kaurava leadership.
21.How did the Pandavas react to Abhimanyu’s death?
Answer: The Pandavas, including Arjuna and Krishna, were heartbroken and wept bitterly. Abhimanyu’s young age and bravery made his death particularly tragic, filling the Pandava camp with grief and sorrow.
22.Why was Arjuna particularly enraged after Abhimanyu’s death?
Answer: Arjuna was enraged because his young son had been killed unfairly by multiple Kaurava warriors, with Jayadratha playing a primary role. The injustice and cruelty of the act fueled his determination to avenge Abhimanyu’s death.
23.How did Jayadratha feel when he learned about Arjuna’s vow?
Answer: Jayadratha was terror-stricken and wanted to run away. The fear of being killed by Arjuna by sunset created panic, and he relied on the Kauravas for protection.
24.Describe the emotional intensity in the Pandava camp after Abhimanyu was killed.
Answer: The camp was filled with grief, mourning, and anger. Pandavas cried bitterly, and Krishna also showed sorrow. The loss of a brave young warrior intensified their resolve to fight the Kauravas with renewed determination.
25.How did Krishna maintain the morale and strategy of the Pandava army?
Answer: Krishna guided Arjuna strategically, creating conditions that allowed him to fulfill his vow. His calm, calculated decisions ensured the army remained focused, motivated, and morally supported despite the tragedy.
26.What emotions drove Arjuna to fight the Kauravas after Abhimanyu’s death?
Answer: Arjuna was driven by grief, anger, and a sense of duty to avenge his son. His determination to fulfill his vow made him fight with incredible skill and courage, breaking through the Kaurava army to kill Jayadratha.
27.How did Duryodhana attempt to manipulate Arjuna’s emotions?
Answer: Duryodhana challenged Arjuna to a duel and used Jayadratha’s life as a tool to create fear and uncertainty. By promising the protection of Jayadratha, he hoped to control Arjuna’s actions, but Arjuna overcame these emotional traps.
28.What does Abhimanyu’s bravery teach us about courage?
Answer: Abhimanyu’s courage shows that true bravery is facing overwhelming odds without fear. Even as a young warrior, he fought alone against numerous experienced foes, prioritizing duty and honor over personal safety.
29.Why did the Pandavas vow to avenge Abhimanyu’s death?
Answer: Abhimanyu’s death was a grave injustice, violating the rules of warfare. The Pandavas, driven by grief and a sense of righteousness, vowed to punish those responsible and restore justice, highlighting the principles of duty and dharma.
30.How does the Mahabharata depict the theme of sacrifice through Abhimanyu?
Answer: Abhimanyu’s sacrifice demonstrates that duty and courage may demand personal loss. His selfless act in facing an impossible situation emphasizes the ideals of bravery, loyalty, and honor, central to the Mahabharata.
Answer by Mrinmoee
