The next day, Duryodhana criticized Drona for not being able to capture Yudhishtira. Drona then decided to use the Chakravyuha or wheel formation to capture the Pandava king. The Samashapatakas like on the previous day, lured Arjuna away from the battlefield.
The Pandavas then charged at the Chakravyuha, but it was impenetrable. Without Arjuna, they could not break into Drona’s formation even as he massacred the Pandava soldiers. Yudhishtira then told Abhimanyu that since he knew how to break into the formation, he should lead the Pandava soldiers.
Abhimanyu reminded his uncle that his father and taught him how to break into the formation, but he did not know how to break out. Yudhishtira assured Abhimanyu that once he entered the formation and created an opening, the Pandavas would join him inside and protect him.
Abhimanyu then told his charioteer Sumitra to take him to Drona. His charioteer advised him not to take on the mighty Drona, but Abhimanyu scoffed at him. He declared that he could even defeat Indra and was not scared of fighting Vishnu.
Abhimanyu then smashed through Drona’s formation and attacked the Kauravas ferociously. He created mayhem killing hundreds of Kaurava soldiers shooting arrows at them from all sides. The scared Kauravas began to run away from the battlefield.
An angry Duryodhana then attacked Abhimanyu and was supported by the Kaurava greats. All of them encircled Abhimanyu and showered arrows at him. Duhsaha, Dushasana, Kripa, Drona, Vivinsati, Kritavarma, Vrihadvala, Ashwathama, Bhurishrava, Shalya, and Shakuni all shot arrows at Abhimanyu.
He literally danced on the battlefield as he swung around shooting arrows in all directions, striking the warriors with three arrows each. The angry Abhimanyu found the prince of Asmaka and killed his horses and charioteer. Bringing down his standard, he cut off his arms and then severed his head.
Abhimanyu launched such a ferocious attack using sharp arrows at Karna, that the King of Anga fainted. He killed three powerful warriors Drigalochana, Sushena, and Kundabhedi. He then showered arrows on Shalya, making him faint.
Shalya’s brother was furious and attacked Abhimanyu, who cut off his arms, legs, and head, killing him. A variety of arrows were used, causing the Kaurava soldiers to run for their lives. Even as Abhimanyu slaughtered the Kaurava army, an angry Dushasana charged at him, determined to end his life.
As they battled fiercely, Abhimanyu reminded Dushasana of his evil deeds during the game of dice. His arrows struck Dushasana on the shoulder, making him faint. Karna then challenged Abhimanyu, but had to retreat after being struck by 73 arrows. When Karna’s bow was cut down, his brother came to defend him. Shooting a single arrow, Abhimanyu sliced off the head of Karna’s younger brother.
Fighting like one possessed, Abhimanyu massacred the Kaurava army, defeating the great warriors one after the other. The bodies of warriors without heads, horses, and elephants soon began to pile up.
Yudhishtira and the rest of the Pandava warriors charged towards the Chakravyuha, intending to help Abhimanyu but were blocked by Jayadratha. Using a boon given to him by Lord Shiva, Saindhava destroyed the arrows hurled by the Pandavas.
The Pandava side tried desperately to enter the Chakravyuha, but failed. Jayadratha used his divine boon to block the Pandavas. He struck Bheema, Satyaki, Yudhishtira, and Dhristadyumna with arrows, stopping them from entering the Vyuha.
Arjuna’s son then fought with Karna’s son, Vrishasena. Letting loose a volley of arrows, he slew Vrishasena’s charioteer. The panicked horses took Vrishasena away from the battle. Having struck Vasatiya on his heart killing him, Abhimanyu continued to cut down the Kaurava soldiers mercilessly.
Shalya’s son Rukmaratha then challenged Abhimanyu, striking him all over his body with arrows. Abhimanyu cut off his bow and arms. He then sliced his head using a sharp arrow. The angry Madra army then launched a combined attack on Abhimanyu. They surrounded him, shooting so many arrows that Abhimanyu was struck all over his body.
The angry Abhimanyu then invoked the Gandharva weapon that was given to him by Arjuna, who had obtained it from Tumvuru. The weapon created an illusion of thousands of Abhimanyus. Even as the bewildered soldiers watched, he moved quickly through the battlefield, cutting off their heads with sharp arrows.
When Duryodhana attacked him, Abhimanyu retaliated so fiercely that the Kaurava leader had to flee. Lakshmana, the son of Duryodhana, then challenged Abhimanyu. The young warrior attacked the son of Arjuna fiercely.
Abhimanyu then told him to look at the world around since it would be the last time he would see it. Shooting a broad headed arrow, he cut off the head of Duryodhana’s son. The Kauravas were shocked to see their future king dead.
Duryodhana then urged Drona, Karna, Ashwathama, Kripa, Vrihadvala, and Kritavarma to attack Abhimanyu. Without fearing, Abhimanyu countered their attack using his powerful arrows. He struck Karna on the ear and killed Kripa’s horses and charioteers.
He broke Vrihadvala’s bow. When the Kosala king took out his sword to attack Abhimanyu, a sharp arrow struck his heart, killing him. Seeing this, the Kosala army fled from the battlefield. Abhimanyu then killed Ashwaketu, the prince of Magadha and the Bhoja king Martikavata.
Drona’s son and Dushasana’s son were then struck by arrows. Shatrunjaya, Chandraketu, Mahavega, Suvarcha, and Suryabasa were then killed by Abhimanyu. Shakuni who was struck by Abhimanyu went to Duryodhana and suggested that they the only way to defeat him was to attack together.
Drona then asked Karna to cut Abhimanyu’s bow (from behind), which he did. Kripa killed his charioteer and Kritavarma killed his horses. The six great warriors then shot arrows at Abhimanyu and he countered them using his sword and shield. Drona broke his sword while Karna shattered his shield.
The angry Abhimanyu then picked up a chariot wheel and charged towards Drona. The Kaurava warriors broke the wheel, after which he took a mace and charged at Ashwathama killing his charioteer and horses. He then killed Kalakeya of Gandhara, and many other warriors.
Pierced on arrows from all sides, he resembled a porcupine. Even though he was injured severely, he fought bravely. Lakshmana’s son then challenged him and both the warriors fought with their maces. Having struck each other both fell to the ground.
Lakshmana got up first and even before Abhimanyu could get up, struck him on the head with his mace. Abhimanyu was thus killed by many opponents by deceit violating the code of conduct. The Kauravas celebrated even as the Pandavas mourned. Yudhishtira was overcome by grief. He lamented worrying how he could face Arjuna and Krishna.
When Arjuna returned, he felt a strange portent of doom. When he saw Abhimanyu was absent, he understood what had happened. He then cried grieving over his son and was consoled by Krishna. After learning about the incidents that had occurred, Arjuna lost consciousness.
When Arjuna regained consciousness, he was wild with anger. Blaming Jayadratha for what had happened, he took a vow to kill Jayadratha by sunset on the next day. He announced that if he failed, he would enter the fire. He then blew his conch Devadatta, and Krishna blew on the divine Panchajanya.
Meanwhile, Jayadratha came to know from the Kaurava spies about Arjuna’s vow. Fearing for his life, he wanted to run away from there. He was stopped by Duryodhana, who promised to use all his resources to save Jayadratha.
In the Pandava camp, Krishna was angry that Arjuna took the vow without consulting him. He explained Drona’s plan that he had learnt through his spies. Jayadratha would be protected by Karna, Ashwathama, Bhurishrava, Vrishasena, Kripa, and Shalya. They would form the needle or Shuchimukha vyuha to protect him.
In front of this vyuha would be the lotus or Padma vyuha and the cart or Shakata formation. Hearing about this, Arjuna promised to do his best. He assured he would use the Gandiva along with his weapons to ensure victory and kill Jayadratha.
Neither Arjuna nor Krishna could sleep that night. Arjuna then asked Krishna to go to console Subhadra. Krishna went to his sister and consoled her. Having pacified her, he returned and asked his charioteer Daruka to prepare his chariot. He announced he would fight for Arjuna if needed and destroy the Kaurava army.
Unable to sleep, Arjuna and Krishna prayed to Shiva and reached his abode. The great lord then gave the Pashupata weapon to Arjuna and explained its usage. Krishna and Arjuna then returned to their camp.
The Pandavas could not sleep the entire night worrying about what would happen if Arjuna failed to kill Jayadratha.