The determination of Abhimanyu

Sanjaya said The Parthas then led by Bhimasena marched against that invincible array of your soldiers protected by the son of Bharadvaja.

Then Satyaki, Chekitana, Prishata's son Dhrishtadyumna, the powerful Kuntibhoja, the mighty car-warrior Drupada.

The son of Arjuna, Kshatradharman, the puissant Brihat-kshatra, the ruler of the Chedis, Dhristaketu, the two of Madri, Ghatotkacha.

Yudhamanyu of great prowess, the unvanquished Shikhandin, the irrepressible Uttamaujas, the mighty car-warrior Virat. sons

The wrathful sons of Draupadi, the valiant son of Shishupala, the highly powerful Kekayas and the Srinjayas by thousands,

These and many others followed by their respective clansmen, all accomplished in the use of weapons and invincible in battle rushed with impetuosity at the son of Bharadvaja, out of a desire for battling with him.

The highly puissant son of Bharadvaja getting the warriors within reach dauntlessly checked them with a mighty downpour of arrows.

Like a mighty wave of waters checked by an immovable hill or like the swelling ocean checked by the banks, those warriors of the Pandava army were dashed back by Drona.

Afflicted, O king, with the shafts shot upon Drona's bow, the Pandavas could not stand in front of Bharadvaja son.

Then we beheld the wonderful strength of Drona's arms, in as much as, the Panchalas aided by the Srinjayas was not able to assail him.

Beholding then the infuriate Drona rush towards himself, king Yudhishthira reflected upon the diverse measures for resisting the former.

At last regarding Drona to be incapable of being checked by any one else, Yudhishthira placed that unbearable heavy burden on the son of Subhadra.

Then addressing that slayer of hostile heroes, namely, Abhimanyu, who was in no way inferior to the son of Vasudeva and was superior to Arjuna himself in infiniteness of prowess, king Yudhishthira said these words-

"O son, do you so act, that coming back, Arjuna may not have reason to reproach us. The means for breaking the circular array, is not known to any one of us.

O mighty-armed one, either you or Arjuna or Krishna or Pradyumna, can penetrate into the circular array. I do not find a fifth man to do it.

It behoves you, so O son, O Abhimanyu, to accord the boon that your sires, your uncles and all these soldiers beg of you.

Quickly taking up your arms, smite down this array of Drona so that returning from the fight with the Samshaptakas Dhananjaya may not blame us."

Abhimanyu said Desiring victory to my sires, I will, without delay, penetrate into the middle of Drona's firm and fierce and excellent array of troops in this battle.

My father has taught me the way to penetrate this kind of array. But I do not know how to come out of the array, if per chance some danger overtake me there.

Yudhishthira said Pierce, O foremost of warriors, this array and create an opening for us to penetrate into it. Pursuing the very track you shall create, we will follow you.

Secing you penetrate the hostile ranks, we will follow you, O sire, who are equal to Dhananjaya himself in battle, protecting you from all sides.

Bhima said will follow you. also will Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki and the Panchalas, the Kekayas, the Matsyas and the Prabhadrakas.

When the array will once be penetrated into by you, we will again and again destroy it, slaying foremost of the enemies' warriors.

Abhimanyu said I will break through this invincible array of Drona, like an insect under the influence of anger entering into the flames. I so

I will this day achieve that feat that will redound to the good of both the families (of my father and mother). I will do what will please my sire and my maternal uncle.

All creatures will see the enemies' host crushed in large bodies by myself, an unaided child.

I will not consider myself to be begotten by Partha or born of Subhadra, if today, encountering me, anybody escapes with his life.

If today, on a single car I cannot cut the whole race of the Kshatriyas into eight pieces in battle, I will not regard myself as the begotten son of Arjuna.

Yudhishthira said May your might, O son of Subhadra, increase even as you speak, in as much as you venture to break through this impenetrable array of Drona.

Being protected by these foremost of men, all fierce bowmen possessed of great strength, all resembling the Sadhyas or the Rudras or the Marutas, all who equal the Vasus, the fires and i the Adityas in prowess.

Sanjaya said Hearing those words of Yudhishthira, Abhimanyu commanded his charioteer saying-"Quickly urge, O Sumitra, the steeds towards Drona's divisions."