Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.10.3

c4.10.3

Later, he went with his mother Subhadrā to Dvārakā and lived for some time with his uncle Śrī Kṛṣṇa. There he is said to have received training in arms from Pradyumna, son of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. After the incognito life of the Pāṇḍavas, Abhimanyu married Uttarā, daughter of the King of Virāṭa. War broke out between Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas. On the first day itself Abhimanyu entered into a duel with Bṛhatbala, King of Kosala. In the terrible conflict with Bhīṣma, Abhimanyu broke Bhīṣma’s flagstaff. After that he assisted his father Arjuna to fight against Bhīṣma. Verses 8-13 of Chapter 55 of Bhīṣma Parva of the Mahābhārata describe Abhimanyu’s fight with Lakṣmaṇa in the second day’s battle. Then he took his place in the Ardha Candra Vyūha (semi-circular phalanx) formed by Arjuna. He fought fiercely with the Gandhāras. He attacked Śalya and killed Jayatsena, King of Magadha, along with his elephant. We find Abhimanyu assisting Bhīmasena in M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapters 63, 64, 69 and 94. After that Abhimanyu defeated Lakṣmaṇa in battle. Then he defeated Vikarṇa, Citrasena and others also. Later he took his position in the Śṛṅgāṭaka Vyūha created by Dhṛṣṭadyumna. He started fighting with Bhagadatta. He defeated Ambaṣṭha and Alambuṣa. Next he fought a duel with Sudiṣṇa. After that he encountered Duryodhana, Bṛhatbala and others. M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 10, Verses 47-52 are a description of Abhimanyu’s heroism by Dhṛtarāṣṭra. He snatched Paurava’s weapon and threw it on the ground.