Section XLVII - Battle of Kurukshetra: Abhimanyu vs. Bhishma and Allies
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section XLVII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The battle on the awful day saw Bhishma being protected by Durmukha, Kritavarman, Kripa, Salya, and Vivinsati, as they approached him to defend against the Pandava forces. Abhimanyu, in his wrath, engaged in combat with Bhishma and the other car-warriors protecting him, displaying remarkable skill with his arrows. Despite being surrounded, Abhimanyu continued to shower the enemy with arrows, cutting off standards, bows, and even the head of Durmukha’s charioteer.
Bhishma retaliated by piercing Abhimanyu with arrows but failed to make him waver as Abhimanyu swiftly cut off Bhishma’s standard and continued to engage the enemy with unparalleled prowess. Bhishma then summoned celestial weapons and covered Abhimanyu with thousands of arrows in a bid to overpower him. However, Abhimanyu’s allies, including Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Bhima, Satyaki, and the Kekaya brothers rushed to protect him and engage in battle against Bhishma and his allies.
In the midst of the conflict, Uttara, the son of Virata, faced off against Salya, resulting in a fierce battle that saw Uttara’s elephant slain, but he himself managed to retaliate before falling unconscious. Sveta, another warrior, enraged at Uttara’s fate, charged towards Salya’s car and was met by seven formidable warriors who surrounded him, only to have their bows cut off by Sveta’s arrows. Undaunted, they hurled darts at Sveta, which he skillfully deflected, leading to a showdown where Sveta emerged victorious, severely injuring one of his opponents.
Sveta proceeded to cut off the standard-tops of his six adversaries, including Rukmaratha, before taking on Salya’s car with determination. As Sveta advanced towards Salya, a fierce battle ensued, with your son, Bhishma, and other warriors rushing to rescue Salya from the jaws of Death. The battle intensified, with cars and elephants getting entangled amidst the chaos, as Bhishma showered arrows on Subhadra’s son, Bhimasena, Satyaki, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, and the Chedi troops, leading to a fierce and hair-raising encounter on the battlefield.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section XLVII - Battle of Kurukshetra: Abhimanyu vs. Bhishma and Allies, have a look at the following articles:
Section XLVII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Read this and other chapters online.
Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
Buy the latest edition:
FAQ of Mahabharata, Section XLVII:
FAQs:
- Can you describe the battle between Bhishma and Abhimanyu in detail? Abhimanyu engaged in fierce combat, cutting off enemy standards and piercing opponents in wrath. - Who protected Bhishma in the battle, and how did Abhimanyu retaliate? Durmukha, Kritavarman, Kripa, Salya, and Vivinsati protected Bhishma. Abhimanyu retaliated by cutting off standards and piercing opponents with arrows. - How did the Pandava warriors support Abhimanyu in the battle? A group of ten Pandava warriors, including Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Bhima, and Satyaki, rushed to support Abhimanyu against Bhishma and his allies. - What was the outcome of the battle between Sveta and the seven warriors? Sveta demonstrated exceptional prowess by cutting off the bows of the seven warriors and ultimately injuring Rukmaratha with a mighty arrow.
Daily life: Battle of Kurukshetra: Abhimanyu vs. Bhishma and Allies:
The tale vividly portrays the intense battles and individual confrontations between warriors in a legendary epic, showcasing courage, tactical maneuvers, and the relentless pursuit of victory despite daunting odds. From these ancient narratives, we can draw inspiration for overcoming challenges in our daily lives. The perseverance shown by the characters, even when faced with stronger opponents, teaches us the value of resilience and steadfastness in the pursuit of our goals.
In life, like in the story, we often encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable. The battles between the warriors highlight the importance of preparation, strategy, and the courage to face adversities head-on. We can apply this by approaching our problems with a clear plan, gathering our resources, and not shying away from seeking help when needed, similar to how warriors form alliances.
The narrative also underscores the significance of moral support and teamwork. As the warriors protected and cheered for each other, we too can achieve greater success by working collaboratively and offering encouragement to those around us. This camaraderie not only multiplies our strengths but also divides our burdens, making challenges more manageable.
Moreover, adaptability, as demonstrated by the characters who swiftly changed their tactics and weapons in response to the unfolding dynamics of battle, serves as a crucial lesson. In our lives, being flexible and open to adjusting our methods when faced with unexpected situations can lead to better outcomes.
Lastly, the story conveys that victory and defeat are part of life, but what truly matters is the effort and valor one shows in the face of adversity. Adopting a mindset that views failures as stepping stones rather than setbacks can inspire us to persevere and ultimately triumph over our challenges.
Through these interpretations, we find that ancient tales, while set in a far-removed era of warriors and battles, provide timeless wisdom applicable to navigating the complexities of modern life.