Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.10.4

c4.10.4

Next he fought with Jayadratha and Śalya. Then he was caught in the Cakra Vyūha (circular phalanx) of the enemies. There he inflicted great losses upon the enemy forces. Śalya was stunned and his brother was killed by Abhimanyu. M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 38, Verses 23 and 24 describe the flight of the Kauravas in fear. At this stage, even Droṇācārya praised Abhimanyu’s valour. Duśśāsana fainted during his fight with Abhimanyu. Karṇa was defeated. Vṛṣasena, Satyaśravas and Śalya’s son, Rugmaratha were slain. Duryodhana fled. Lakṣmaṇa was killed. Vṛndāraka, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa and others were amazed by this terrible valour of Abhimanyu. Six ministers of Karṇa were slain. Next, Aśvaketu, son of the King of Magadha was killed. King Bhoja was also killed. Śalya was again defeated. Śatruñjaya, Candraketu, Meghavega, Suvarcas, Sūryabhāsa—who were all kings—were beheaded by Abhimanyu. Śakuni was wounded by Abhimanyu’s arrow. Kālakeya, son of Subala was slain. M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 40, Verses 13 and 14 say that at this stage, Prince Duśśāsana beat Abhimanyu to death with his mace. 4) After Death. M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 71, Verses 12-16 say that after death Abhimanyu attained the immortal world of the Munis (Saints). King Parikṣit was the son of Abhimanyu. In M.B. Svargārohana Parva, Chapter 5, Verses 18-20, we find that after his death, Abhimanyu entered the moon in his former form of Varcas.