Character

Abhimanyu

अभिमन्यु

verses
904
books
17
chapters
198
Child of
Arjuna

What the texts say

In the Mahabharata, Abhimanyu, also called Saubhadra, is the son of Arjuna and Subhadra. Mahabharata 1.2.94, 1.61.86 He is described as expert in all weapons. Mahabharata 6.56.23 Yudhishthira urged him to disrupt the warrior Drona's battle-array, and he replied that he could breach it but not always exit. Mahabharata 7.34.17, 7.34.19 He broke through the dense battle-array and entered it. Mahabharata 7.49.4 Many chariot-warriors led by Jayadratha, king of Sindhu, killed him, and Duhshasana's son struck him on the head with a mace. Mahabharata 1.2.162, 7.48.12, 7.56.8 Abhimanyu had married Uttara, Virata's daughter, and she later bore his son Parikshit. Mahabharata 1.90.90, 1.45.13

Where to read

Every verse that names Abhimanyu, book by book.

  1. Mahabharata

    851 verses · 156 chapters

    All 851 verses in the Mahabharata

    Also in the Gita Press edition: 812 verses

    • 7.47.5

      Then Saubhadra struck down six heroic aides of Karṇa—distinguished fighters—together with their horses, charioteers, standards, and chariots.

    • 7.39.1

      Sañjaya said: Though his body was wounded by arrows, the intelligent Abhimanyu, standing firm against the opposing force, smiled and then addressed Duḥśāsana.

    • 7.35.1

      Sanjaya said: Having heard the words of the wise Dharmarāja, Saubhadra urged his charioteer toward Droṇa’s host, O Bhārata.

  2. Skanda Purana

    9 verses · 6 chapters

    • 1.2.1.10

      The second is (the tīrtha) of Stambheśa, dear to the sage Saubhadra. Another is Barkareśvara—an excellent tīrtha beloved of Paulomī.

    • 2.1.11.6

      Now begins the account of Parīkṣit: the king, son of Abhimanyu, named Parīkṣit, dwelt in Hāstinapura, ruling the earth in accordance with dharma.

    • 3.1.41.6

      There was a king, the son of Abhimanyu, named Parīkṣit. He ruled from Hāstinapura, protecting the earth in accordance with dharma.

  3. Bhagavatam

    7 verses · 7 chapters

    • 1.4.9

      It is said that Mahārāja Parīkṣit is a great first-class devotee of the Lord and that his birth and activities are all wonderful. Please tell us about him.

    • 1.11.32

      The insuperable ecstasy was so strong that the queens, who were shy, first embraced the Lord in the innermost recesses of their hearts. Then they embraced Him visually, and then they sent their sons to embrace Him [which is equal to…

    • 1.17.45

      Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the son of Abhimanyu, is so experienced that by dint of his expert administration and patronage, it has been possible for you to perform a sacrifice such as this.

  4. Devi Bhagavatam

    7 verses · 5 chapters

    • 2.7.3

      From her was born the great hero Abhimanyu, who was killed in the battlefield. The sons of Draupadi were also killed there.

    • 2.10.45

      'We have come to bless and prosper the heroic son of Abhimanyu, the sun of his lineage, of beautiful appearance, with Atharvan mantras.'

    • 4.17.40

      Her five sons were killed in the camp by Ashvatthama (Drauni). And the son of Subhadra (Abhimanyu) was struck down in battle while still a boy.

Also named in

Key chapters

The chapters where Abhimanyu matters most.

  1. Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 47: Abhimanyu’s rapid exchanges, counsel to disable his chariot-system

    Mahabharata 7.47 · 30 verses

    Central heroic focus: near-unconquerable while mounted

  2. Abhimanyu’s Rebuke and Wounding of Duḥśāsana; Karṇa’s Counter-volley

    Mahabharata 7.39 · 24 verses

    Pandava spearpoint and moral avenger

  3. द्रोणानीकाभिमुखगमनम् (Abhimanyu advances toward Droṇa’s host)

    Mahabharata 7.35 · 22 verses

    Central heroic agent executing a decisive penetration against…

  4. Droṇa’s Defensive Stand and Abhimanyu Commissioned to Breach the Cakravyūha (द्रोणानीक-प्रतिरोधः; सौभद्र-नियोजनम्)

    Mahabharata 7.34 · 18 verses

    Chosen spearpoint for a technical breakthrough

  5. Encirclement and Counterassault of Abhimanyu

    Mahabharata 7.36 · 31 verses

    Isolated spearhead and focal hero

  6. Abhimanyu’s Fall and the Battlefield Aftermath

    Mahabharata 7.48 · 22 verses

    केंद्र-नायक

  7. Abhimanyu’s Prowess and the Duḥśāsana Engagement

    Mahabharata 7.38 · 21 verses

    Pandava spearpoint whose mobility and precision destabilize the…

  8. Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 37: Sañjaya’s Account of Abhimanyu’s Precision Disruption of a Chariot Contingent

    Mahabharata 7.37 · 20 verses

    Pandava spearpoint

  9. Abhimanyu’s Disruptive Advance and the Gāndharva-astra Counter

    Mahabharata 7.44 · 19 verses

    Pandava spearpoint whose shock-attack destabilizes the opposing…

  10. Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 45: Saubhadra-Lakṣmaṇa-saṃyoga and Kaurava Counter-Encirclement

    Mahabharata 7.45 · 18 verses

    Central Pandava spearpoint

Key episodes

  1. Abhimanyu and the Chakravyuha

    Mahabharata 7.33-7.48

Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q320606