Arjuna's Vow
“Arjuna learns of his son's death and is consumed by grief and rage. He makes a terrible vow: he will kill Jayadratha before sunset, or immolate himself. With Krishna's support, Arjuna sets out on a mission of vengeance that will test his resolve and skill.”
Contains: Grief and loss, Vow of revenge, Threat of self-immolation
Story Summary
Arjuna returns from his battle elsewhere on the battlefield to learn the devastating news: his son Abhimanyu is dead. The young warrior had been trapped in the Chakravyuha formation and killed in an unfair fight. Arjuna is consumed by grief and rage. He learns that Jayadratha, the king who had once tried to abduct Draupadi, had used a boon to block the Pandava support that could have saved Abhimanyu. In his anguish, Arjuna makes a terrible vow: he will kill Jayadratha before sunset, or he will immolate himself. The vow is absolute, with no room for failure. Krishna, understanding Arjuna's grief and the gravity of the vow, promises to help him. Arjuna's determination is absolute. He will fulfill his vow, or he will die trying. This story shows the depth of a father's grief, the power of a vow made in anguish, and the resolve that drives Arjuna forward. It sets the stage for the dramatic events that will follow, as Arjuna hunts Jayadratha with single-minded determination.