The Death of Abhimanyu Summary and Explanation
PSEB Class 9 English Chapter 7 The Death of Abhimanyu Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from English Main Course Book
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PSEB Class 9 English Main Course Book Chapter 7 – The Death of Abhimanyu
(An adaptation from The Mahabharata as retold by S.B. Srivastava, a Reader at Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur.)
This lesson gives us a glimpse of a part of the Great Mahabharata War. It gives information about the incident of Vir Abhimanyu’s death and the way his death was avenged by his father, Arjuna. We also get a peek into the unprincipled ways of war adopted by the great kings.
- The Death of Abhimanyu Summary
- The Death of Abhimanyu Summary in Hindi
- The Death of Abhimanyu Theme
- The Death of Abhimanyu Explanation
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The Death of Abhimanyu Summary
The lesson gives us a look into the Mahabharata. The episode of the death of Arjuna’s son, Abhimanyu and the revenge taken by Arjuna have been described.
In the Kaurava army, Bhishma had died and then, Karna was given the role. However, he declined and gave the position to Drona who was senior and more experienced than him.
Duryodhana asked Drona to prepare such a plan that the leader of the opposite side, Yuddhishtira be captured. The war entered the eleventh day when Drona who was determined to capture Yuddhishtira entered the battlefield. Arjuna, the younger brother of Yddhishtira and a brave Pandava warrior knew of the plan and was careful to protect his elder brother. In order to divert his attention, the enemy planned a strong attack on Arjuna by Susharma’s sons. Arjuna’s attention was divided between protecting his elder brother and fighting Susharma’s sons. However, Bhima came to help Yuddhishtira and somehow, the Pandavas managed to save the leader and the day’s battle ended.
Now came the thirteenth day of the war. Arjuna was determined to end the fight with Susharma’s sons. So, he asked Krishna, his charioteer to take the chariot to Susharma’s sons. In the meantime, Drona arranged a circular position of his warriors that was called a chakravyuh and challenged the Pandavas. In the Pandava side, only Arjuna, Krishna, Pradyuman and Abhimanyu knew the art of piercing through a chakravyuh. Krishna was not participating in the war, Arjuna and Pradyuman were fighting far away. So, Yuddhishtira asked Abhimanyu to pierce through the chakravyuh. However, Abhimanyu only knew the manner of entering it but the way of exitting the chakravyuh was not known to him. Still, the brave boy was eager to assist his uncle and leader. Thus, he went into the chakravyuh and crossed the barriers. However, the Kauravas trapped him and prevented the supporting warriors from entering. As he was not aware of the manner of exitting it, he failed at it despite putting up a strong resistance. The final fatal blow was struck by the king of Sindhu and Duryodhana’s sister’s husband Jayadratha. Thus, they day ended with a pall of grief surrounding the Pandava camp where the corpse of Abhimanyu arrived.
Arjuna, Abhimanyu’s father came to know that the enemy had adopted an unprincipled manner to kill his son. He vowed to kill Jayadrath before sunset or he would kill himself. This news terrorised Jayadratha but Duryodhana pacified him. He assured him protection and was happy that if they managed to keep Jayadratha alive, Arjuna would end his life which would result in the victory of the Kauravas.
Arjuna pierced through lines of warriors and elephants of the Kauravas in his search for Jayadratha. The Kauravas made it tough for him and later Duryodhana challenged him to a fight. Arjuna’s attacks seemed to have lost power because the enemy used magical powers to protect the upper part of his body. So Arjuna attacked his legs and soon Duryodhana was tired. The day was about to end, both Krishna and Arjuna were aware that the day’s battle would end soon. Krishna used his power to cover the sun with thick mist. Thus, no one knew if the sun had set or not and Arjuna got more time as the fight continued. He managed to reach the centre of the enemy side and found Jayadratha. Arjuna aimed at him and beheaded him. Despite the protection given by the Kauravas, Arjuna fulfilled his vow and took revenge for his son’s killing.
Summary of the Lesson The Death of Abhimanyu in Hindi
यह पाठ हमें महाभारत की एक झलक देता है। अर्जुन के बेटे अभिमन्यु की मौत और अर्जुन द्वारा लिए गए बदले का वर्णन किया गया है।
कौरव सेना में भीष्म की मृत्यु हो गई थी और फिर कर्ण को यह भूमिका दी गई। हालाँकि, उसने मना कर दिया और यह पद द्रोण को दे दिया जो उससे वरिष्ठ और अधिक अनुभवी थे।
दुर्योधन ने द्रोण से ऐसी योजना बनाने को कहा कि विरोधी पक्ष के नेता युधिष्ठिर को पकड़ लिया जाए। युद्ध ग्यारहवें दिन में प्रवेश कर गया जब युधिष्ठिर को पकड़ने के लिए दृढ़ संकल्पित द्रोण युद्ध के मैदान में उतरे। युधिष्ठिर के छोटे भाई और एक बहादुर पांडव योद्धा अर्जुन को इस योजना के बारे में पता था और वह अपने बड़े भाई की रक्षा करने में सावधान थे। उसका ध्यान भटकाने के लिए, दुश्मन ने सुशर्मा के बेटों द्वारा अर्जुन पर एक जोरदार हमला करने की योजना बनाई। अर्जुन का ध्यान अपने बड़े भाई की रक्षा करने और सुशर्मा के बेटों से लड़ने के बीच बँट गया था। हालाँकि, भीम युधिष्ठिर की मदद के लिए आए और किसी तरह पांडव नेता को बचाने में कामयाब रहे और उस दिन की लड़ाई खत्म हो गई।
अब युद्ध का तेरहवाँ दिन आया। अर्जुन सुशर्मा के बेटों के साथ लड़ाई खत्म करने के लिए दृढ़ संकल्पित थे। इसलिए, उसने अपने सारथी कृष्ण से रथ को सुशर्मा के बेटों के पास ले जाने को कहा। इसी बीच, द्रोण ने अपने योद्धाओं की एक गोलाकार स्थिति बनाई जिसे चक्रव्यूह कहा जाता था और पांडवों को चुनौती दी। पांडव पक्ष में, केवल अर्जुन, कृष्ण, प्रद्युम्न और अभिमन्यु को ही चक्रव्यूह भेदने की कला आती थी। कृष्ण युद्ध में भाग नहीं ले रहे थे, अर्जुन और प्रद्युम्न बहुत दूर लड़ रहे थे। इसलिए, युधिष्ठिर ने अभिमन्यु से चक्रव्यूह भेदने को कहा। हालाँकि, अभिमन्यु को केवल उसमें प्रवेश करने का तरीका पता था, लेकिन चक्रव्यूह से बाहर निकलने का तरीका उसे नहीं पता था। फिर भी, वह बहादुर लड़का अपने चाचा और नेता की मदद करने के लिए उत्सुक था। इस प्रकार, वह चक्रव्यूह में गया और बाधाओं को पार किया। हालाँकि, कौरवों ने उसे फँसा लिया और सहायक योद्धाओं को अंदर आने से रोक दिया। चूंकि उसे बाहर निकलने का तरीका नहीं पता था, इसलिए जोरदार प्रतिरोध करने के बावजूद वह इसमें असफल रहा। अंतिम घातक प्रहार सिंधु के राजा और दुर्योधन की बहन के पति जयद्रथ ने किया। इस तरह, दिन खत्म हुआ और पांडवों के कैंप में दुख का माहौल छा गया, जहाँ अभिमन्यु का शव लाया गया था।
अभिमन्यु के पिता अर्जुन को पता चला कि दुश्मन ने उनके बेटे को मारने के लिए गलत तरीका अपनाया था। उन्होंने कसम खाई कि वह सूरज डूबने से पहले जयद्रथ को मार देंगे, नहीं तो खुद को मार लेंगे। इस खबर से जयद्रथ डर गया, लेकिन दुर्योधन ने उसे शांत किया। उसने उसे सुरक्षा का भरोसा दिलाया और खुश था कि अगर वे जयद्रथ को ज़िंदा रखने में कामयाब रहे, तो अर्जुन अपनी जान दे देगा, जिससे कौरवों की जीत होगी।
अर्जुन जयद्रथ को ढूंढते हुए कौरवों के योद्धाओं और हाथियों की लाइनों को पार करते हुए आगे बढ़े। कौरवों ने उनके लिए मुश्किल खड़ी कर दी और बाद में दुर्योधन ने उन्हें लड़ाई के लिए चुनौती दी। अर्जुन के हमलों में ताकत कम लग रही थी क्योंकि दुश्मन ने अपने शरीर के ऊपरी हिस्से की रक्षा के लिए जादुई शक्तियों का इस्तेमाल किया था। इसलिए अर्जुन ने उसके पैरों पर हमला किया और जल्द ही दुर्योधन थक गया। दिन खत्म होने वाला था, कृष्ण और अर्जुन दोनों जानते थे कि दिन की लड़ाई जल्द ही खत्म हो जाएगी। कृष्ण ने अपनी शक्ति का इस्तेमाल करके सूरज को घने कोहरे से ढक दिया। इस तरह, किसी को नहीं पता चला कि सूरज डूबा है या नहीं और लड़ाई जारी रहने के कारण अर्जुन को और समय मिल गया। वह दुश्मन पक्ष के बीच तक पहुँचने में कामयाब रहे और उन्हें जयद्रथ मिल गया। अर्जुन ने उस पर निशाना साधा और उसका सिर काट दिया। कौरवों द्वारा दी गई सुरक्षा के बावजूद, अर्जुन ने अपनी कसम पूरी की और अपने बेटे की हत्या का बदला लिया।
Theme of the Lesson The Death of Abhimanyu
The lesson gives us a glimpse of the tacts used in war. Disobeyance of the principles of war by one kingdom permits the other to do the same as well. Lord Krishna convinces Arjuna to accept the disallowed ways of fight because the enemy is also unprincipled. This is one of the lessons taught in Gita, the book based on the battle of Mahabharata.
The Death of Abhimanyu Lesson Explanation
Passage: When Bhishma fell, Karna was chosen to take his place as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kaurava army. But he declined the offer in favour of Drona who was older and more experienced. Duryodhana requested Drona to plan the war strategy in such a way that Yudhishthira might be arrested. On the eleventh day of the war, Drona went to the battlefield, determined to capture Yudhishthira. Arjuna was informed about the intentions of Drona and he was fully cautious. In order to engage Arjuna away from Yudhishthira, Susharma’s sons launched a mighty and reckless attack on Arjuna. Arjuna that day fought on two fronts. His attention and energy were divided. The enemy made a desperate attack on Arjuna to keep him engaged. Arjuna found it difficult to divert his attention from the daring attack. Drona took advantage of this situation and made a most determined attempt to capture Yudhishthira. At this crucial time Bhima came to the rescue of his elder brother. Somehow, the day was saved by the Pandavas.
Word meanings:
Fell: here, died
declined: refused to accept
strategy: a plan
intention: proposal or plan
rescue: to save from a dangerous situation
crucial: very important
Explanation: After the death of Bhishma in the war, Karna was appointed the head of the army of Kauravas. However, he gave the reign to Drona who was older and held more experience. The Kaurava’s head Duryodhana directed Drona to make such a plan that Yudhishtira, the leader of Pandavas, be captured. Arjuna came to know of this and he had to prevent this. In order to remove Arjuna from protecting his brother Yudhishtira, the Kauravas involved him in a harsh fight against Susharma’s sons. Arjuna could not fight single-mindedly, his diversion was towards Yudhishtira’s safety. Drona took advantage of the situation and launched an attack on Yudhishtira but another brother Bhima came in and helped save Yudhishtira. So, the Pandavas managed to prevent being defeated that day.
Passage: On the thirteenth day of the battle, Arjuna decided to bring the attack of his enemies to an end. Arjuna, therefore, requested Krishna to drive his chariot to the place where Susharma’s sons had assembled. While Arjuna went to fight them, Drona arranged his army in the shape of a wheel. This was known as Chakravyuh. Only Arjuna, Krishna, Pradyumna and Abhimanyu knew how to pierce through it. Since, Arjuna and Pradyumna were fighting far away and Krishna would not fight, Drona tried to entrap Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira called Abhimanyu and asked him if he would be of any help at this moment. A brave young boy, bubbling with enthusiasm, Abhimanyu immediately agreed to lead the army and pierce through the Chakravyuh.
Word meanings:
chariot (n): an open vehicle with two wheels, pulled by horses
entrap (v): to catch something or somebody in a trap
bubbling with enthusiasm (v): very happy and eager
Pierce through: to enter something
Explanation: It was the 13th day of the war and Arjuna wanted to end the attack by Susharma’s sons. He asked his ‘saarthi’ or charioteer Lord Krishna to take him to the place where Susharma’s sons had gathered. As Arjuna was away, Drona made use of the chance and gathered his army in the shape of a wheel, called a ‘Chakravyuh’. Only a few warriors on the Pandava side, namely – Arjuna, Krishna, Pradyuman and Abhimanyu could enter it. As Arjuna and Pradyuman were busy in the battle, Krishna was not involved in the battle, Yudhishtira asked the young Abhimanyu to help him. Abhimanyu was a brave young boy. He was eager to save the king and he agreed to lead the army and enter the chakravyuh.
Passage: Abhimanyu knew only the art of entering the Chakravyuh but he knew nothing about carving his way out of it. Abhimanyu immediately asked his charioteer to drive towards the Chakravyuh at the gate of which Drona was standing. Yudhishthira sent others to help Abhimanyu. The young lad pounced upon the enemies with great fury and broke the rings of the Chakravyuh. He pierced through the rings one after another. No sooner had he entered the Chakravyuh than the Kauravas surrounded him and stopped the other warriors of the Pandava army from reaching the place where Abhimanyu was fighting alone. Surrounded from all sides by such eminent warriors as Drona, Kama, Duryodhana, Dushahsana and Jaydratha, Abhimanyu, without the least sign of nervousness, fought with incredible courage and skill. The Kaurava warriors found it difficult to subdue the lonely Abhimanyu. At last they thought of disarming him first. His bow was cut into pieces, his sword was broken and his club was shattered. Now left with no weapon, he fought with the wheel of his chariot. At last the wheel was also torn into pieces. Unarmed as he was, the Kaurava warriors killed him. The most cruel, unprincipled and decisive blow was given by Jayadratha, the king of the Sindhus and the husband of Duryodhana’s sister.
Word meanings:
charioteer (n): a person driving a chariot
pounce (v): to leap or swoop down suddenly and catch a prey
incredible (adj): unbelievable
subdue (v): to bring something or somebody under control by force or to defeat
Explanation: However, he only knew the way to enter the chakravyuh. So he got trapped and did not know how to exit it. He entered the chakravyuh from where Drona was standing, Yudhishtira sent others to help him. Abhimanyu attacked the enemy and broke the rings which the enemy soldiers had formed. He entered one ring after another. However, the Kauravas trapped him in the chakravyuh and stopped other soldiers of the Pandavas from entering the chakravyuh. Thus, Abhimanyu was all by himself, surrounded by the enemy – Drona, Kama, Duryodhana, Dushahsana and Jaydratha. He fought with courage and skill and was confident. The enemy found it tough to defeat him but finally, they damaged his weapons. He took the wheel off his chariot to fight but it was also broken into pieces. Thus, the enemy killed Abhimanyu. Jayadrath, the king of Sindhus, Duryodhana’s brother-in-law, was the most cruel and did not obey the rules of war; made the final blow.
Passage: The sun set. Truce was announced. All the warriors returned to their camps. Arjuna also came back after destroying Susharma’s sons. When the dead body of Abhimanyu, with limbs severed from the trunk, was brought, there were heart-piercing cries in the Pandava camp. Arjuna wept bitterly so did other Pandavas and Krishna. Arjuna came to know that in the death of his son, the most unscrupulous and mischievous role was played by Jayadratha. He took a vow to kill Jayadratha the next day by sunset or kill himself.
Word meanings:
truce (n): an agreement calling for an end to a fight or a war
sever (v): to cut
Trunk: main body
unscrupulous (adj): dishonest, without moral principles
Explanation: As the Sun set, the conk sounded to announce the end of the fight for that day and Arjuna returned to the camp after defeating Susharma’s sons. Abhimanyu’s dead body was sent to the camp which caused great sorrow to the Pandavas. Arjuna was told that the final fatal blow was given by Jayadratha and he took an oath to either kill Jayadratha before the sun set the next day or kill himself.
Passage: When Jayadratha and the Kauravas came to know about the vow of Arjuna, there was panic in the Kaurava camp. Jayadratha was so terror-stricken that he wanted to run away. Duryodhana assured him all protection. He made it clear that the entire forces of the Kauravas would be dedicated to protect Jayadratha that day. If they succeeded in protecting Jayadratha that day. Arjuna would commit suicide. This would mean a sure victory for the Kauravas in the war. Consequently, Jayadratha was so surrounded and protected by the Kauravas that Arjuna could never reach him.
Word meanings:
Terror-stricken: scared
Suicide: to take one’s own life
Explanation: When the news of Arjuna’s oath reached the Kaurava camp, it caused a lot of fear in Jayadratha. However, Duryodhana assured him safety and that his being alive would lead to Arjuna ending his own life. Arjuna’s death would surely make the Kauravas win the battle. That day, Jayadratha was surrounded and protected by the Kauravas.
Passage: Arjuna fiercely attacked the Kauravas that day. He pierced through the Kaurava army through the lines of their elephants. Warriors of the Kauravas ran to and fro in great confusion. With whole-hearted devotion to the cause of finding out Jayadratha, Arjuna advanced ahead. He met with tough resistance at every step. He was upset because of the impregnable opposition of the Kauravas. With very great difficulty, he managed to pierce through the heart of the army. But suddenly Duryodhana sprang up and challenged him to a duel. Arjuna made repeated attacks on Duryodhana but it appeared to him that his arrows had lost effectiveness. The fact was that Duryodhana was fighting with a magic armour on his body. He then started aiming his arrows at the unprotected limbs of Duryodhana. Duryodhana was soon exhausted.
Word meanings:
resistance (n): the opposition offered by a thing, force or someone to another
impregnable (adj): strong enough to resist attack
duel(n): a prearranged combat or fight between two persons
Exhausted: tired
Explanation: That day, Arjuna’s fierce attacks showed his anger and pain. He broke through all the protective rings of the enemy army. The soldiers of the Kauravas ran here and there in confusion. Arjuna was determined to find Jayadratha and he faced a tough battle. Duryodhana stopped him and engaged him in a battle using his magical powers whereby Arjuna’s arrows proved ineffective. Finally, Arjuna aimed at Duryodhana’s legs and he got tired.
Passage: It was the time when the shades of evening started spreading over the battlefield. Arjuna was aware of the time of truce. Krishna was watching everything carefully. He knew that the sun was to set soon. But before the hour of sunset drew near, Krishna with the help of his power, covered the sun with a mist so thick that none could know when the sun set that day. The fighting continued. With fresh courage and strength, he jumped into the fray, and at last managed to reach the Centre of the army formation where Jayadratha hid in great terror. Sighting Jayadratha there, Arjuna shot his arrows with terrific speed. They slashed the head of Jayadratha from his body. Thus the death of Abhimanyu was avenged and Arjuna fulfilled his vow. Jayadratha, with all the care and protection given by the Kauravas, could not be saved.
Word meanings:
Mist: a thick cover of fog
Explanation: It was Sunset time. Arjuna knew that the day’s battle would soon end. Lord Krishna was overlooking the scene. He used his power to cover the Sun with a thick fog so that no one could ascertain if the Sun had set. So the battle continued and Arjuna got time. He managed to reach the centre of the enemy’s army where Jayadratha was positioned, full of fear. Arjuna aimed his arrows at him with full speed. Finally, Jayadratha was beheaded and Arjuna took revenge for Abhimanyu’s death. Despite the protection given by the Kauravas, Jayadratha was killed.
Conclusion
This post on “The Death of Abhimanyu” from PSEB Class 9 English Maincoursebook covers the summary, word meanings and lesson explanation. Students can do a quick revision of the lesson with the help of this content.