Shloka 5
अभिमन्योर् विक्रमः — Abhimanyu’s Disruptive Advance and the Gāndharva-astra Counter
रथव्रजेन संरुद्धस्तैरमित्रैस्तथा5<र्जुनि: । वृषसेनस्य यन्तारं हत्वा चिच्छेद कार्मुकम्,यद्यपि शत्रुओंने अपने रथसमूहके द्वारा अर्जुनकुमार अभिमन्युको सब ओरसे घेर लिया था, तो भी उसने वृषसेनके सारथिको घायल करके उसके धनुषको भी काट डाला
rathavrajeṇa saṃruddhas tair amitrais tathārjuniḥ | vṛṣasenasy yantāraṃ hatvā ciccheda kārmukam ||
Sañjaya said: Though Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, was hemmed in on all sides by a mass of chariots and hostile warriors, he struck down (disabled) Vṛṣasena’s charioteer and then cut Vṛṣasena’s bow. The episode highlights steadfast courage and tactical restraint amid overwhelming odds—neutralizing the enemy’s means of attack rather than indulging in needless slaughter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when overwhelmed, a warrior guided by dharma and presence of mind focuses on decisive, proportionate action—disabling the opponent’s capacity to harm (cutting the bow, neutralizing the driver) rather than acting from panic or cruelty.
Abhimanyu is encircled by enemy chariots. Despite the siege, he attacks effectively: he disables/kills Vṛṣasena’s charioteer and then severs Vṛṣasena’s bow, reducing the immediate threat.