The Journey to Heaven

The Journey to Heaven

After ruling over Hastinapur for many years, Yudhisthira wanted to leave the kingdom. Parikshita, Abhimanyu's son, was crowned the new king and the Pandavas and Draupadi set out for the Himalayas. They dressed like hermits and set out to visit many holy places across the country. Finally, they reached the foothills of the Himalayas and started climbing the mountains. Somewhere along the way, a dog started following them.
The Pandavas crossed many mountains and reached Himadri, the highest range of the mountains. The mountains were very steep and were covered with snow. The Pandavas started the difficult climb. Since it was difficult to walk on snow. Draupadi and all the Pandavas, except Yudhisthira, found it very difficult to continue on the journey. Draupadi was the first to fall to the ground and die on the way. She was followed by Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjuna, and finally Bhima. Only King Yudhisthira and the dog adamantly continued marching ahead.

Abhimanyu The Broken Code of War

Abhimanyu The Broken Code of War

During the battle, Guru Drona had been ordered to capture Yudhisthira alive, so Arjuna always protected him. Once Arjuna had gone after the Kaurava warriors and Yudhisthira with his soldiers unprotected. Guru Drona approached Yudhisthira with his soldiers arranged in the circular formation known as chakravyuh. Arjun's son, Abhimanyu, had learnt from his father how to enter the chakravyuh but did not know how to come out of it. Only Arjuna knew how to break the Chakravyuh. But abhimanyu decided to enter the formation. 

King Jaidhratha, the king of Sindhudesha, had obtained a boon from Lord Shiva that he would be able to stop the Pandavas for one day. He stopped them from entering the chakravyuh to help Abhimanyu. Six warriors including Guru Drona, Duryodhana, and King Karna together attacked Abhimanyu. He lost all his weapons. Finally, the Kaurava warriors broke the code of war they attacked the unnamed Abhimanyu and killed him.

Abhimanyu and Uttara

Abhimanyu and Uttara

King Virata was very happy to have won the war against Susharma and Duryodhana. He came to know that the five Brahmins who had helped him protect his kingdom were none other than the brave Pandavas. He was very grateful. He also came to know that for one year Arjuna had lived in palace as a servant where he taught music to his daughter, Uttara. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and said, "Brave Arjuna, please accept my daughter's hand in marriage." Arjuna replied, "I have been your daughter's teacher, I am like her father, I can't marry her. Instead of me marry her to my brave son, Abhimanyu." King Virata's joy had no bounds. Arjuna called for his son who wasat that time in Dwarka. The wedding was celebrated with great splendour. Abhimanyu's mother, Subhadra; Abhimanyu's uncles, Krishna and Balarama; also graced the occasion.

 

Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu was the son of Arjuna and Subhadra. He was very skilled at archery and was the pride of the Pandavas. Even as a lad, Abhimanyu was very brave and strong. Once, while Abhimanyu was in his mother's womb before he was born, he heard Arjuna telling Subhadra how to tackle warriors when they surround you in a chakravyuh or maze during a battle. Arjuna explained to Subhadra how to enter a chakravyuh, but he was called away before he could explain the way to get out of it.

Consequently, Abhimanyuwas born with the knowledge of how to enter a chakravyuh, without knowing how to get out of it. when he grew up, he was married up Uttara, the daughter of king Virata.