Abhimanyu and the Chakravyuha: The Thirteenth Day
Quick answer: Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna and Subhadra, broke alone into the chakravyuha, the wheel formation that Drona set up on the thirteenth day of the Kurukshetra war. He knew how to break in but not how to get out. Jayadratha, by a boon from Shiva, held the other Pandavas back at the breach, and
Quick answer: Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna and Subhadra, broke alone into the chakravyuha, the wheel formation that Drona set up on the thirteenth day of the Kurukshetra war. He knew how to break in but not how to get out. Jayadratha, by a boon from Shiva, held the other Pandavas back at the breach, and six Kaurava warriors surrounded him. Disarmed and without a chariot, he fought on with a chariot wheel and a mace until Duhshasana's son struck him on the head and killed him. Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha before sunset the next day.
This is the story of the Drona Parva's Abhimanyu-vadha section (7.32 to 7.51 in the critical edition of the Mahabharata, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune). References are book.chapter.verse.
| Abhimanyu at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Parents | Arjuna and Subhadra, Krishna's sister |
| Wife | Uttara, daughter of King Virata (4.67) |
| Son | Parikshit, born after his death |
| Portion of | Varchas, son of Soma, the moon (1.61.86) |
| Died | 13th day of the war, Drona Parva (7.48.12 to 13) |
| Killer | The son of Duhshasana |
The plan to trap Yudhishthira
Drona had promised Duryodhana he would capture Yudhishthira alive (7.11 to 7.12). To do it he needed Arjuna away from the field. The Samshaptakas, warriors sworn to kill Arjuna or die, challenged him and drew him to the far side of the battlefield (7.16 to 7.17). On the thirteenth day Drona arranged his army in the chakravyuha (7.33.12).
Why Abhimanyu went in
The Pandavas did not know how to break the formation. Yudhishthira said that only Arjuna, Krishna, Pradyumna or Abhimanyu could break the chakravyuha, "there is no fifth" (7.34.15), and asked Abhimanyu to do it. Abhimanyu answered that his father had taught him how to break into such a formation, but that he would not be able to get out if he got into trouble (7.34.19). Yudhishthira and Bhima promised to follow close behind him through the gap.
The popular story that Abhimanyu learned the chakravyuha in his mother's womb, hearing Arjuna explain it to Subhadra, who fell asleep before he finished, is a later and folk tradition. In the critical edition Abhimanyu simply says his father taught him.
Jayadratha at the gate
Abhimanyu broke in. But Jayadratha, king of the Sindhus, closed the breach behind him. Earlier, Shiva had granted him a boon that he alone could hold back all the Pandavas in battle, except Arjuna (7.41.13 to 16). Arjuna was away, so Yudhishthira, Bhima and the rest could not get through.
Alone inside the wheel
Inside, Abhimanyu fought the Kaurava champions on his own and killed many, among them Duryodhana's son Lakshmana (7.45). Six great warriors then surrounded him: Drona, Kripa, Karna, Ashwatthama, Brihadbala and Kritavarma (7.46.4). Even Drona praised the boy's skill and told Karna his armour could not be pierced, so he should cut his bow and kill his horses and drivers, striking from behind (7.47.26 to 29). Karna cut his bow; Kritavarma killed his horses and Kripa his drivers (7.47.31 to 32). Six warriors then rained arrows on one boy without a chariot (7.47.33).
Abhimanyu leapt into the air with sword and shield; Drona cut his sword and Karna broke his shield (7.47.37). Back on the ground, he lifted a chariot wheel and rushed at Drona with it (7.47.38), until they cut the wheel to pieces (7.48.3). He took up a mace and fought Duhshasana's son; both fell, and as Abhimanyu was rising, Duhshasana's son struck him on the head with his mace and killed him (7.48.12 to 13).
Grief and the vow
That evening Arjuna returned to find his son dead. He learned that Jayadratha had kept the Pandavas from following, and swore before everyone to kill Jayadratha the next day before sunset, or enter the fire himself (7.51.20 to 37). The fourteenth day, the hunt for Jayadratha, was the result. Abhimanyu's widow Uttara was pregnant, and their son Parikshit became the heir of the Pandavas.
What the story is remembered for
"Abhimanyu in the chakravyuha" has become a saying for someone who knows how to get into a situation but not how to get out of it. The episode is also the epic's clearest case of the rules of war breaking down: many warriors against one, attacks from behind, and an unarmed fighter killed.
Frequently asked questions
Who killed Abhimanyu?
The son of Duhshasana, with a mace blow to the head, after six warriors had disarmed him (7.48.12 to 13).
Why couldn't Abhimanyu get out of the chakravyuha?
He said he had learned how to break in but not how to get out in trouble (7.34.19).
Did Abhimanyu learn the chakravyuha in the womb?
That is a later, popular story. In the critical edition he says his father taught him.
Why couldn't the Pandavas follow him?
Jayadratha, with Shiva's boon, held the breach against all the Pandavas except Arjuna (7.41.13 to 16).
Who was Abhimanyu's son?
Parikshit, born to Uttara after Abhimanyu's death.
Related reading
Sources
- The Mahabharata, critical edition (Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, 1933 to 1966); electronic text BORI 1999, via Indology: indology.info/bombay/mahabharata. References are book.chapter.verse in this edition.
Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.
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