The valiant son of Arjuna and Subhadra.<\/p>\n
Antecedents: Vishnu \u2013 Brahma- Atri \u2013 Chandra \u2013 Budha \u2013 Pururavas \u2013 Ayus \u2013 Nahusha \u2013 Yayati \u2013 Puru \u2013 Janamejaya \u2013 Prachinvan \u2013 Namasyu \u2013 Veetabhaya \u2013 Shundu \u2013 Bahuvidha \u2013 Samyati \u2013 Rahovadi \u2013 Bhadrashwa \u2013 Matinara \u2013 Santurodha \u2013 Dushyanta \u2013 Bharata \u2013 Suhotra – Suhota – Gala – Garda – Suketu – Brihalkshetra \u2013 Hasti \u2013 Ajameedha \u2013 Riksha \u2013 Samvarana \u2013 Kuru \u2013 Jahnu \u2013 Suratha \u2013 Viduratha \u2013 Sarvabhauma \u2013 Jayatsena \u2013 Ravyaya \u2013 Bhavuka \u2013 Chakrodhata \u2013 Devatithi \u2013 Riksha \u2013 Bhima \u2013 Pratiya \u2013 Shantanu \u2013 Vyasa \u2013 Pandu \u2013 Arjuna – Abhimanyu.<\/p>\n
It was Chandra’s son Varchas who was reincarnated as Abhimanyu. The devas discussed with Chandra the need to incarnate themselves in the world to combat the evil forces. Chandra told them that he was reluctant to send his beloved son Varchas, but didn’t want to shirk his duty either. So he suggested that Varchas be born as Arjuna’s son, but he couldn’t be separated from Chandra for more than 16 years. The devas agreed that at sixteen years, Varchas’s incarnation would die in an enemy chakravyuh and return to Chandra. As per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 67, this is the reason for Abhimanyu’s early death.<\/p>\n
Abhimanyu initially learned the art of weaponry from his father Arjuna, after which he stayed with his uncle Krishna, along with his mother Subhadra. There, he was also trained by Pradyumna, Krishna’s son. After the Pandavas’ exile, Abhimanyu married Uttara, daughter of the king of Virata.<\/p>\n
On the first day of the Kurukshetra war, Abhimanyu fought with Brihadbala. Later, in a ferocious battle with Bhishma, he managed to cut off the flagpole of Bhishma’s chariot, and also helped Arjuna fight Bhishma. On the second day, he battled with Lakshmana, as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 55 verses 8-13. Later, he also had a position in an ardhachkravyuh that Arjuna created. He fought with the Gandharas, Shalya and killed the king of Magadha – Jayalsena along with his elephant. As per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapters 63,64,69,94, he also helped Bhima. He then defeated Lakshmana, Vikarna, Chitrasena. He also had a role to play in the Shirngatakavyuh created by Dhrishtadyumna and fought with Bhagadatta. He defeated Ambashta and Alambusha and then fought with Sudeeshna. Abhimanyu then attacked Duryodhana and Brihadbala. There is a description of Abhimanyu’s valour in Mahabharata Dronaparva Chapter 10 verses 47-52. Abhimanyu fought with Paurava, and seized his weapons. He later fought with Jayadratha and Shalya. He was then caught in the Kaurava chakravyuh and did enormous damage to it. Shalya’s brother was killed and he himself was rendered unconscious, as per Mahabharata Dronaparva Chapter 38 verses 24, 28. Even Drona praised Abhimanyu’s feats. Abhimanyu defeated Karna, rendered Dushasana unconscious and killed Vrishasena, Satyashravas , Lakshmana and Shalya’s son Rugmaratha. Duryodhana had to flee from battle and Abhimanyu’s prowess was such that even Karna, Ashwathama and Vrindakara were amazed. Abhimanyu also killed six of Karna’s ministers and Ashwaketu, son of the king of Magadha. He then defeated Shalya again and also killed the king of Bhoja. He showered arrows on Shatrunjaya, Chandraketu, Meghavega, Suvarchas, and Suryabhasa. Shakuni was wounded by Abhimanyu. He killed Kalakeya, son of Subala. This was when he was struck by Dushasana’s mace, as per Mahabharata Dronaparva Chapter 49 verses 13-14.<\/p>\n
According to Mahabharata Dronaparva Chapter 71 verses 12-16, Abhimanyu received an entry into the akshayaloka. He then went back to Chandra as Varchas, as per\u00a0 Mahabharata Swargarohanaparva Chapter 5 verses 18-29.<\/p>\n
Abhimanyu is also known as Arjuni, Saubhadra, Karshni, Arjunatmaja, Shukratmaja, Arjunalpara, and Phalguni.<\/p>\n
Abhimanyu’s son was Parikshit, who in turn had a son called Janamejaya, who conducted a massive sarpasatra. Janamejaya’s son was Shatanika, who had a son called Sahasranika. Sahasranika married Mrigavati and their son was the illustrious Udayana. The stories of Udayana are very famous and their popularity among villagers is mentioned in Kalidasa’s Meghadoot, as per Kathasaritasagara Madanamanjukalambaka Taranga 4.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The valiant son of Arjuna and Subhadra. Antecedents: Vishnu \u2013 Brahma- Atri \u2013 Chandra \u2013 Budha \u2013 Pururavas \u2013 Ayus \u2013 Nahusha \u2013 Yayati \u2013 Puru \u2013 Janamejaya \u2013 Prachinvan \u2013 Namasyu \u2013 Veetabhaya \u2013 Shundu \u2013 Bahuvidha \u2013 Samyati … Continue reading