Noble Abhimanyu (Mythological Monologues #14)

I was taught 

Even before my birth

To look fear in the eye

And defeat the monster;

In the womb

Of my mother, Subhadra,

I learnt how to bravely

Break into a giant discus formation

In battle from my father, Arjuna. 

Being the nephew and student of Lord Krishna,

I-Abhimanyu had never feared death

My only fear, if any was living 

A life without purpose and meaning. 

The thirteenth day 

Of the Kurukshetra war

Gave me the chance to prove

My valor, nobility, and bravery;

It was Dronacharya's ingenious plan

To perish the army of the Pandavas

Through a giant discus formation

While at the same time keeping

My father, Arjuna and Lord Krishna

Away to chase a different army

The only two warriors who had the skill

Of entering and breaking the formation.

Panic and trepidation grew within the army

As hundreds of soldiers were getting killed

All of a sudden, like a flash of lightening

Realization dawned on me;

"I know how to enter a discus formation",

I claimed as my uncles, the Pandavas 

Gave a sigh of relief.  

I bravely entered the formation, 

Determined to kill the ruthless Kauravas,

With the support of my uncles;

As soon as I entered the Chakravhuh, 

I realized it is my battle alone

Jayadrath had blocked my uncles.

I was taught 

Even before my birth

To look fear in the eye

And defeat the monster;

It didn't matter that I was all alone 

Inside the gigantic discus formation

I pledged to fight till my last breath, 

Causing massive destruction to the Kauravas.

I was not aware how to break the discus

So I devised a new strategy 

And killed thousands of 

Kaurava soldiers and warriors

That intimidated the Kauravas so much

They planned a joint attack on me-

A sixteen year old warrior.

Such cowards! Such wimps!

I laughed at their despicable strategy. 

Karna broke my bow from behind

As ordered by the blood-thirsty Duryodhana

Kripacharya killed my chariot drivers

Kritavarma killed my horses;

I quickly took up a shield and sword

Dronacharya and Ashwatthama attacked me

I then took up a chariot wheel, 

Refusing to give up till my last breath

When Kripacharya cut my wheel. 

Once I was completely unarmed and helpless,

One by one, the Kaurava warriors attacked me

Dozens of arrows pierced my body 

And finally, all the warriors stabbed me to death. 

I died with a smile on my face

I served my purpose 

In the battle of righteousness

The smiling faces of my Father, 

Mother Subhadra, Mother Draupadi 

Soothed the excruciating pain in my chest;

As I was breathing my last,

I could see a peacock feather in the sky,

Lord Krishna smiling and blessing me

I smiled back and closed my eyes. 

I-Abhimanyu died like a brave, noble warrior

People will talk about my bravery for ages

Whereas my murderers will always be

Looked down for their cowardly act.  

In my defeat, I triumphed

Through my death, I became immortal.

©Purba Chakraborty

16.04.2020

Note: Abhimanyu was a great warrior in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. He was the son of Arjuna and Subhadra. He was the nephew of Lord Krishna who trained him in warfare. 

Mandodari (Mythological Monologues #13)