Arjuna’s Vow – The Fall of Jayadratha
Abhimanyu’s death had changed the entire course of the Kurukshetra War.
Arjuna was filled with grief and anger.
He had made a powerful vow:
Before sunset, Jayadratha must die.
The Kauravas knew about the vow.
They understood that if they could protect Jayadratha until sunset, Arjuna would have to fulfil the second part of his promise.
So Drona and the Kaurava warriors created an extremely strong defence around Jayadratha.
1. The Kauravas Protect Jayadratha
Jayadratha was terrified.
He knew Arjuna was coming for him.
Duryodhana assured him that the Kaurava army would protect him.
Drona created several layers of warriors around Jayadratha.
Great fighters stood between Arjuna and his target.
The plan was simple:
Keep Arjuna away from Jayadratha until sunset.
2. Arjuna Enters the Battlefield
Arjuna arrived on the battlefield with Krishna as his charioteer.
His mind was completely focused.
He had only one goal.
He had to reach Jayadratha before the sun set.
Krishna drove the chariot through the battlefield.
Arjuna began fighting through the Kaurava formations.
3. Drona Tries to Stop Arjuna
Drona stood in Arjuna’s path.
He was one of the greatest warriors on the battlefield.
Arjuna respected Drona deeply.
But there was no time for hesitation.
Arjuna fought his teacher and moved forward.
He could not allow anyone to stop him from reaching Jayadratha.
4. The Battle Becomes Fierce
Warriors attacked Arjuna from every direction.
Arjuna released countless arrows.
Krishna skillfully guided the chariot through the battlefield.
The Pandava warriors also fought hard to support Arjuna.
Bhima and Satyaki helped clear the path.
Every moment was important.
The sun was slowly moving toward the horizon.
5. Satyaki Follows Arjuna
Satyaki was a great warrior and a loyal supporter of Krishna and the Pandavas.
He followed Arjuna into the battlefield.
Satyaki fought several powerful Kaurava warriors.
His purpose was to help Arjuna continue toward Jayadratha.
The battle became increasingly difficult.
But the Pandava warriors refused to give up.
6. Bhima Joins the Battle
Bhima also fought fiercely.
He broke through enemy formations and defeated many warriors.
The Kaurava army struggled to contain the Pandava attack.
Arjuna continued moving toward Jayadratha.
But the sun was getting lower.
Time was running out.
7. Jayadratha Remains Hidden
Jayadratha was kept safely behind several layers of warriors.
Drona and other commanders protected him.
Arjuna had to defeat or bypass one obstacle after another.
The Kauravas believed their strategy was working.
The sun was approaching the horizon.
They began to think that Arjuna might fail.
8. The Sun Appears to Set
As evening approached, the battlefield became darker.
The Kaurava warriors believed that sunset had arrived.
They thought Arjuna had lost.
Jayadratha came out from his protected position.
He believed that he had survived Arjuna’s vow.
The Kaurava army began celebrating.
But Krishna knew exactly what was happening.
9. Krishna Reveals the Opportunity
The traditional account describes Krishna using his divine power to obscure the sun, creating the appearance of sunset.
When Jayadratha emerged, Krishna told Arjuna to act quickly.
The opportunity had appeared.
Arjuna immediately prepared his bow.
The Kauravas suddenly realized that they had been deceived.
The sun was still visible.
The day had not truly ended.
10. Arjuna’s Final Attack
Arjuna drew his Gandiva.
He released a powerful arrow toward Jayadratha.
The arrow struck its target.
Jayadratha fell.
Arjuna had fulfilled his vow before the actual sunset.
The Pandavas were relieved.
The death of Jayadratha was a major turning point in the war.
11. Arjuna’s Vow Is Fulfilled
Arjuna had promised that Jayadratha would die before sunset.
He had succeeded.
The Pandavas had avenged Abhimanyu’s death.
But the war was becoming increasingly brutal.
The death of one warrior only led to another battle.
The Kauravas were filled with anger.
Drona continued to command the army.
12. The Night Battle
The fighting did not immediately stop.
The battle continued into the night.
This was unusual and extremely dangerous.
The battlefield was illuminated by torches and weapons.
Warriors continued fighting despite exhaustion.
The night battle would bring another major tragedy.
A powerful warrior named Ghatotkacha would enter the battlefield.
13. Ghatotkacha Enters the Battle
Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima and Hidimbi.
He possessed extraordinary powers and was especially dangerous during night battles.
He entered the battlefield and attacked the Kaurava army.
The Kaurava warriors struggled to stop him.
His supernatural abilities created enormous confusion among the enemy forces.
14. A Dangerous Weapon Is Saved for Arjuna
Karna possessed a powerful divine weapon known as the Vasava Shakti.
He had received it from Indra.
But the weapon had one important limitation:
It could be used only once.
Karna had been saving it for Arjuna.
But Ghatotkacha’s attack became so devastating that Karna was forced to use the weapon against him.
The weapon struck Ghatotkacha.
15. Ghatotkacha’s Sacrifice
Ghatotkacha fell in battle.
Bhima was devastated by the loss of his son.
But Krishna understood something important.
Karna had used his most powerful weapon.
The weapon that could have been used against Arjuna was now gone.
Krishna understood that this would greatly help the Pandavas in the future.
Ghatotkacha’s death therefore became both a tragedy and an important turning point in the war.
The War Becomes More Dangerous
The Kurukshetra War had now reached an extremely brutal stage.
Abhimanyu had fallen.
Jayadratha had fallen.
Ghatotkacha had fallen.
And the Kaurava army still had powerful warriors.
Drona continued his attack on the Pandavas.
Soon, the Pandavas would have to face one of the most difficult decisions of the entire war.
The story continues in Maha Bharatham Part 21 – Drona’s Fall and the Truth About Ashwatthama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Arjuna vow to kill Jayadratha?
Jayadratha had prevented the Pandavas from entering the Chakravyuha and supporting Abhimanyu. After Abhimanyu’s death, Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha before sunset.
Who helped Arjuna reach Jayadratha?
Krishna guided Arjuna, while warriors such as Bhima and Satyaki helped fight through the Kaurava forces.
How did Arjuna kill Jayadratha?
After Krishna created an opportunity by obscuring the sun, Arjuna attacked Jayadratha before the actual sunset.
Who was Ghatotkacha?
Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima and Hidimbi and possessed extraordinary powers.
Why was Ghatotkacha’s death important?
Karna was forced to use the Vasava Shakti, the powerful weapon he had been saving for Arjuna. After using it against Ghatotkacha, Karna could no longer use it against Arjuna