Krishna, the ever-joyful and serene being, never cried for anything in his life. His spirit remained unshaken, even in the face of adversity. Yet, there is only one moment in his entire life when even Krishna couldn’t contain himself and shed tears—the death of Abhimanyu, the beloved son of Arjuna.
Abhimanyu embodied the best virtues of his father and uncles. He had Yudhishthira’s splendor, Krishna’s character, Bhima’s daring, Arjuna’s heroism and wisdom, and the humility of Nakula and Sahadeva. Abhimanyu was a shining star, a young warrior with unmatched potential.
During the Kurukshetra war, Abhimanyu’s prowess struck fear into the hearts of his enemies. Shakuni, tormented by Abhimanyu’s relentless attacks, warned Duryodhana that fighting him one-on-one would lead to their downfall. They decided to attack him in a group, knowing it was the only way to stop him.
Even Karna, a mighty warrior, admitted the force of Abhimanyu’s arrows was unbearable. He stood his ground not out of courage but because fleeing was not an option for a warrior. With heavy hearts, the Kauravas plotted to end Abhimanyu’s life through deceit and treachery. With 6 Warriors (Maharathis) attacking him together. All at once.
Abhimanyu fought valiantly but was ultimately overpowered by the sheer number of his enemies attacking together with unfair tactics. His death was a significant blow to the Pandavas and Krishna. For the first time, Krishna’s divine composure wavered. Tears flowed from his eyes, mourning the loss of a young hero who had the potential to change the world.
Abhimanyu’s death is a reminder to us, of the human cost of war.
Krishna’s tears showed that even the strongest hearts can break when faced with the loss of a beloved soul.
Mahabharata 25: Tears of Krishna
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