Shloka 13
द्रोणानीकाभिमुखगमनम्
Abhimanyu advances toward Droṇa’s host
वासुदेवादनवरं फाल्गुनाच्चामितौजसम् | अब्रवीत् परवीरघ्नमभिमन्युमिदं वच:,अमिततेजस्वी अभिमन्यु वसुदेवनन्दन श्रीकृष्ण तथा अर्जुनसे किसी बातमें कम नहीं था, वह शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेमें समर्थ था; अतः उससे युधिष्ठिरने इस प्रकार कहा --
vāsudevād anavaraṃ phālgunāc cāmitaujasam | abravīt paravīraghnam abhimanyum idaṃ vacaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Abhimanyu—unsurpassed by Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) and endowed with might equal to Phālguna (Arjuna), a slayer of hostile heroes—was then addressed with these words (by Yudhiṣṭhira). The narrative underscores Abhimanyu’s dharmic role as a capable protector in a crisis of war, where responsibility is placed upon the worthy without diminishing reverence for elders and exemplars.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic discernment in leadership: in wartime, responsibility is entrusted to one proven in strength and virtue. Praising Abhimanyu as equal to Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna frames him as a legitimate protector and agent of righteous defense, emphasizing merit, capability, and duty.
Sañjaya narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Abhimanyu. Before the speech begins, Abhimanyu is introduced with honorific comparison—unsurpassed by Kṛṣṇa and not inferior to Arjuna—establishing his stature as a formidable warrior who can confront and destroy enemy champions.