On the thirteenth day of the battle, Drona, the commander, had arranged his forces in the array known as Chakravyuha.
As planned by Drona, the Samsaptakas challenged Arjuna, taking him to the southern side of the battlefield. In Arjuna's absence, Drona arrayed the troops in the form of a Chakra (wheel).
The petals of that formation were the invincible maharathis such as Drona, Karna, Salya, Kripa, Ashvatthama, Duryodhana, Jayadratha, Duhshasana and Bhurishrava. Protecting those division leaders were millions upon millions of troops.
The Pandavas headed by Bhima then approached that impenetrable array protected by Bharadwaja's son. The Pandavas were unable to stand and penetrate this formation.
Only ShriKrishna, Arjuna, Pradyumna and Abhimanyu knew how to pierce that array. However, in their absence, and regarding Drona as invincible, Yudhisthira aksed Abhimanyu to fight and break this formation as only he (among those present) knew how to break this circular formation which is about to devour the divisions of Pandavas.
Abhimanyu (son of Arjuna) crushed the Kaurava ranks and caused them to flee from the battlefield. The Kaurava warriors tried desperately to stop Abhimanyu.
When Karna came within reach, Abhimanyu pierced his armor with his blood sucking arrows. Penetrating his body, they entered the earth. Karna, struck senseless, fell to the floor of his chariot.
Abhimanyu covered the battlefield with great speed, challenging the great warriors and defeating them all.
Karna again came forward to challenge Abhimanyu. He pierced Abhimanyu with many arrows stretching his bow to it's fullest extent. The son of Arjuna felt no pain and released his deadly arrows that killed Karna's horses and charioteer. Abhimanyu the cut the royal standard from his chariot and shattered his bow to pieces.
Beholding Karna in the grip of death, his younger brother proceeded quickly against Arjuna's son. He roared loudly, and stretching his bow, he released ten arrows that pierced Abhimanyu's royal banner, umbrella, charioteer and horses. With this action, the Kaurava heroes sent up loud shouts. However, with a cool and calm mind, Abhimanyu, with a single shaft, cut off the head of Karna's brother, and the smiling faces of the Kauravas changed to one of disbelief.
Karna ascended another chariot, and in great anger, eager to avenge his brother's death, he assaulted Abhimanyu. However, Abhimanyu shattered his bow and countered his weapons, causing him to run from the battlefield.
As planned by Drona, the Samsaptakas challenged Arjuna, taking him to the southern side of the battlefield. In Arjuna's absence, Drona arrayed the troops in the form of a Chakra (wheel).
The petals of that formation were the invincible maharathis such as Drona, Karna, Salya, Kripa, Ashvatthama, Duryodhana, Jayadratha, Duhshasana and Bhurishrava. Protecting those division leaders were millions upon millions of troops.
The Pandavas headed by Bhima then approached that impenetrable array protected by Bharadwaja's son. The Pandavas were unable to stand and penetrate this formation.
Only ShriKrishna, Arjuna, Pradyumna and Abhimanyu knew how to pierce that array. However, in their absence, and regarding Drona as invincible, Yudhisthira aksed Abhimanyu to fight and break this formation as only he (among those present) knew how to break this circular formation which is about to devour the divisions of Pandavas.
Abhimanyu (son of Arjuna) crushed the Kaurava ranks and caused them to flee from the battlefield. The Kaurava warriors tried desperately to stop Abhimanyu.
When Karna came within reach, Abhimanyu pierced his armor with his blood sucking arrows. Penetrating his body, they entered the earth. Karna, struck senseless, fell to the floor of his chariot.
Abhimanyu covered the battlefield with great speed, challenging the great warriors and defeating them all.
Karna again came forward to challenge Abhimanyu. He pierced Abhimanyu with many arrows stretching his bow to it's fullest extent. The son of Arjuna felt no pain and released his deadly arrows that killed Karna's horses and charioteer. Abhimanyu the cut the royal standard from his chariot and shattered his bow to pieces.
Beholding Karna in the grip of death, his younger brother proceeded quickly against Arjuna's son. He roared loudly, and stretching his bow, he released ten arrows that pierced Abhimanyu's royal banner, umbrella, charioteer and horses. With this action, the Kaurava heroes sent up loud shouts. However, with a cool and calm mind, Abhimanyu, with a single shaft, cut off the head of Karna's brother, and the smiling faces of the Kauravas changed to one of disbelief.
Karna ascended another chariot, and in great anger, eager to avenge his brother's death, he assaulted Abhimanyu. However, Abhimanyu shattered his bow and countered his weapons, causing him to run from the battlefield.