Shloka 12
अध्याय ७१ — द्रोणव्यूहरक्षा तथा समकालीन द्वन्द्वयुद्धानि
Protection of Droṇa’s formation and parallel duels
शूरो वीर: कृतार्थश्न प्रताप्पारीन्ू सहस्रश: । अभिमन्युर्गतो वीर: पृतनाभिमुखो हत:
śūro vīraḥ kṛtārthaś ca pratāpavān sahasraśaḥ | abhimanyur gato vīraḥ pṛtanābhimukho hataḥ ||
Vyāsa said: “The heroic warrior—accomplished in his purpose and radiant with prowess—had struck down foes in their thousands. Yet that valiant Abhimanyu, facing the enemy host in the thick of battle, went to his death, slain before the army.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s moral realism: personal valor and fulfilled duty (kṛtārtha) do not shield one from death in war. It implicitly warns that when battle becomes collective and ruthless, the ethical safeguards meant to protect a lone warrior can collapse, making even exemplary courage vulnerable.
Vyāsa reports that Abhimanyu, though a heroic and highly effective fighter who had cut down enemies in great numbers, was ultimately killed while confronting the opposing army head-on. It marks the tragic culmination of his stand in the battlefield amid overwhelming forces.