29/09/2021
Chakravyuh - Chakra (Circular), Vyuh (formation)
The Chakravyuh was a seven tiered circular formation of soldiers, standing back to back. The formation acted like a maze that closed in on a fearsome opponent who could not be outdone one on one. At a time when wars were conducted on land, in the heat of the moment, the formation required excellent communication and coordination between soldiers and their commander.
encircle and thereby drawing a a formidable enemy person into a Once a person was entrapped, they were cut away from their cohorts
Isolated, and realising too late that they were trapped caused them to become flustered
Death was usually inevitable
Unless they had been trained and had enough experience
At the center of the story depicted below, is the young prince, Abhimanyu. Skilled and strong, the enemies (Kauravas) of the good side (Pandavas) had a tough fight trying to subdue him.
Abhimanyu had learned about entering the Chakravyuh while in his mother's womb. There the education had stopped. He never learned how to come out of it alive.
It took the skill of a venerated elder, Dronacharya, to direct the army to isolate the young man. You see, he knew about the incomplete education of the young prince and merely took advantage of it
The audience that hears about the chakravyuh and the death of the prince, inevitably comes away with a feeling of hurt, at how an entire army, unable to bear the sheer bravery and aggression of the youth, resorted to this method.
He was, after all, a mere boy.
But isn't that the case with all war?
This carving is in the Hoysaleshwar temple at Halebid
https://www.dailyo.in/arts/hinduism-temples-storytelling-ramayana-mahabharata-ellora-ajanta/story/1/17060.html
