Parva 7 of 18 · 173 adhyayas
द्रोणपर्व
Book of Drona
Droṇa-parva
Setting: Kurukshetra, days 11-15, under Drona's command
Central figure: Abhimanyu and the cost of half-knowledge
Parva summary
Drona is anointed commander. He attempts to capture Yudhishthira; Arjuna foils each formation. On day 13 Drona forms the chakravyuha; only Abhimanyu among the Pandava side knows the entry, not the exit. Abhimanyu enters alone — Jayadratha holds the gap — and is killed by six maharathis breaking every rule. Arjuna vows to slay Jayadratha by sunset of the next day or self-immolate. Krishna engineers a brief eclipse-like darkness; Arjuna fells Jayadratha. Ghatotkacha is killed by Karna with the Vasava-shakti that was reserved for Arjuna. Drona, hearing the false news of Ashvatthama's death (the elephant), lays down his arms; Dhrishtadyumna beheads him.
Key episodes
- ●Abhimanyu enters the chakravyuha alone
- ●Six maharathis kill Abhimanyu against dharma
- ●Arjuna's vow against Jayadratha
- ●Krishna creates twilight; Jayadratha falls
- ●Ghatotkacha killed by Vasava-shakti
- ●Ashvatthama hatah — Drona disarmed and beheaded
Central teaching
War corrodes dharma fastest in its participants. Teach the way out, not just the way in.