The Chakravyūha

Beat 1

The thirteenth day of the war. At dawn, Droṇa arranges the Kaurava army into the Chakravyūha, a wheel of warriors with ring inside ring.

The Chakravyūha. A circular battle formation. Its rings rotate, so anyone who breaks in finds the way out has closed.

From the scripture · Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva (critical edition)

Beat 2

Far to the south, Arjuna has been drawn away by the Saṃśaptakas, warriors sworn to fight him to the death. In the Pāṇḍava camp, Yudhiṣṭhira turns to the only one left who knows the formation.

From the scripture · Droṇa Parva (critical edition)

Beat 3

Abhimanyu, Arjuna's son, is sixteen years old.

Abhimanyu: I know how to break into it. If danger comes, I do not know how to come out.

Bhīma: Open the way. We will follow right behind you.

A popular telling. Many retellings say Abhimanyu learned the way in while still in his mother's womb. That episode is not in the critical edition, so Vedyatra labels it as popular tradition.

From the scripture · Droṇa Parva (critical edition)

Beat 4

He breaks through the outer ring. Behind him, Jayadratha closes the breach and holds back every Pāṇḍava who tries to follow. Abhimanyu is alone inside the wheel.

Abhimanyu. Son of Arjuna and Subhadrā, Kṛṣṇa's sister.

The closed breach. Jayadratha had a boon from Śiva that let him hold back all the Pāṇḍavas except Arjuna for one day.

From the scripture · Droṇa Parva (critical edition)

Beat 5

Ring after ring falls back before him. Great warriors attack him, and none can stop him.

From the scripture · Droṇa Parva (critical edition)

Beat 6

Then several warriors attack him together. His bow is cut, his horses and charioteer are killed. He fights on with a sword, and when that breaks, he lifts a chariot wheel.

From the scripture · Droṇa Parva (critical edition)

Beat 7

At last he falls, and the sun sets on the thirteenth day. When Arjuna returns, he vows that Jayadratha will not live to see the next sunset.

From the scripture · Droṇa Parva (critical edition)