Why Lord Krishna didn’t help Abhimanyu in Mahabharata?

 

Abhimanyu is a warrior from the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was born to the third Pandava prince Arjuna and Yadava princess Subhadra, who was also Krishna's sister. He is believed to be an incarnation of Varchas, son of Chandra.

Why Lord Krishna didn’t help Abhimanyu in Mahabharata?

Abhimanyu’s death was perhaps the event that affected most of us who all grew up watching the Mahabharata on television. Abhimanyu was born to Arjuna and Subhadra and was the nephew of Lord Krishna. At the time of his death at a tender age in the battle of Kurukshetra, he was married princess Uttara of the Matsya Kingdom.

Why did Abhimanyu die?

To many of us, his death seemed unfair. Why kill him? Why couldn’t Lord Krishna who guided Arjuna, Abhimanyu’s father to victory in the battle, save him? He did not need to die at such a tender age, so brutally? Or did he?

 

Abhimanyu and the Chakravyuha

Like the Pandavas, Abhimanyu was trained in all forms of warfare by Lord Krishna himself and even Arjuna. He was later trained by Pradyumna, son of Krishna. He had learned the art of breaking into the Chakravhyuha when he was in his mother, Subhadra’s womb. However, he did not hear the entire information, i.e. how to get out of the battle formation — the Chakravyuha.

 

Conversation between Arjuna and Subhadra

In the womb, Abhimanyu heard the conversation about the Chakravyuha from Arjuna, his father when he was narrating the same to his mother, Subhadra. He heard the conversation up until the art of breaking into the Chakravyuha was discussed. Unfortunately, he did not get any further information on how to destroy the formation once inside. This is because Lord Krishna interrupted Arjuna and took him away.

 

Dronacharya’s strategy to end the Pandavas

On the thirteenth day, Droncharya, the supreme teacher of the Kaurava clan had planned to divert Arjuna and Krishna away to chase a smaller part of their army that was sent towards Dwarka. At the same time, 90% of their remaining army regrouped in a humungous discuss formation, i.e. chakravyuha. This would cause great loss to the Pandavas. Also, if the Kaurava army continued at the pace at which they were heading, there would be no Pandava army left by sunset.

 

Why Krishna let Abhimanyu die…

But as a mentor, friend, and guide to Arjuna, definitely, Lord Krishna could help save Abhimanyu? Yes, he could but he did not. Here is why — it is said that Abhimanyu was the reincarnation of Varchas, the son of the Moon god. When the Moon God agreed for his son to be incarnated on earth by the devas, he put a condition — his son would remain on earth only for 16 years as he could not bear to be separated from him any longer. Hence, this was to be the lifespan of Abhimanyu.

 

Krishna’s plan for Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu’s life longevity was known to Shri Krishna. Hence, he allowed Abhimanyu to hear the conversation between Arjuna and Subhadra up until entering or breaking into the Padma Vyuha or Chakravyuha. Also, before understanding the strategy required to destroy and oust the Chakravyuha, Krishna called Arjuna away. Hence, Abhimanyu had no knowledge of this.

 

Why Abhimanyu had to die…

Abhimanyu’s death was inevitable but also necessary. This is because Shri Krishna needed Arjuna to be full of fire for vengeance to fight the Kauravas. Arjuna was confused as he did not want to fight his own cousins. He did not want to fight his own elders and gurus. Hence, this was Shri Krishna’s master plan.

 

Jayadrathan’s role in Abhimanyu’s death

When Abhimanyu entered the Chakravyuha, Jayadrathan the ruler of Sindh, blocked the entry so that no other Pandava could enter the formation. He had been humiliated by the Pandavas earlier. He performed severe penance and sought Shiva’s boon due to which he could stall any army single-handed but without Arjuna and Krishna only. Hence, he trapped Abhimanyu.

 

Abhimanyu’s death

However, Abhimanyu caused great destruction to the Kaurava army before sacrificing himself. He defeated Drona, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Duryodhana, Salya, Dussasana, Bhurisrava. He also killed Duryodhana’s son Lakshmana, Salya’s son Rukmaratha, Kritavarma’s son Matrikavata and many more. Now only Karna could overpower Abhimanyu. However, he could do so by depriving the young warrior of weapons, the bow, and arrow. In the end Abhimanyu was killed brutally.

 

Turning point in favor of Pandavas

Enraged by his son’s brutal death, Arjuna killed Jayadrathan with his heavenly arrow. As planned, Shri Krishna knew that Abhimanyu’s death would act as a turning point in the war and it would be in the Pandava’s favor. Up until Abhimanyu’s death, the Pandava’s did not fight with full strength. Also, by killing Abhimanyu, the Kauravas committed a major breach in the ethics and code of the Mahabharata war.