Under Tremendous Pressure Drona Decides on Chakravyuha for Thirteenth Day : Episode 147

Recap of Previous Episode :

The Samsaptakas swear to kill Arjuna or die trying. On the twelfth day, Bhagadatta uses the Vaishnava astra, which surrenders itself to Krishna. Arjuna kills Bhagadatta and is drawn away by Susharma, leaving Yudhishtra vulnerable. Satyajit dies defending him. Ashwatthama celebrates, while the Pandavas mourn Satyajit’s death.

Drupada’s Grief Turns to Fury

Drupada grieves deeply over Satyajit’s death. Hearing Ashwatthama’s triumphant laughter makes his suppressed bitterness explode. For years he has lived only to avenge Drona, and now he feels betrayed.

He rebukes the Pandavas for fighting a war in which they revere their enemies — Bhishma and Drona — instead of defeating them. He cries that it is his family who suffers the consequences. Drupada turns to Krishna and demands an answer.

Drupada Demands a Clear Stand

Krishna comforts Drupada and assures him that his sacrifice will bear fruit. He turns to the Pandavas and extracts a firm promise that they will no longer treat Drona with affection, but as a true adversary who must be killed without hesitation.

Drupada is finally convinced that justice will be carried forward.

Duryodhana Berates Drona

Duryodhana is furious that Drona has failed to bring Yudhishtra captive. He accuses Drona of favouring the Pandavas and deliberately allowing them to escape. Ashwatthama is enraged by the insult to his father.

Karna offers to kill Arjuna immediately, but Kripacharya declares the task impossible. Drona intervenes and reminds them that Arjuna has fought Lord Shiva himself and acquired divine weapons. He is equal to Drona in valour. His statement irritates both Karna and Duryodhana, but Drona remains calm and reaffirms his promise to capture Yudhishtra in Arjuna’s absence.

Drupada Provokes Drona

Emboldened by the assurances from Krishna and the Pandavas, Drupada confronts Drona and provokes him deliberately. He reveals that the Pandavas have resolved to kill Drona. Stung by the knowledge, Drona declares coldly that he will have no hesitation in destroying Yudhishtra.

Drona Announces the Chakravyuha Strategy

Drona calls a special meeting of commanders and outlines his plan. The Kaurava army will begin the day in Padma Vyuha until Arjuna is drawn far away. Then they will rapidly reorganize into Chakravyuha, the deadly wheel formation.

He explains that only Arjuna knows how to enter, fight within, and exit Chakravyuha — therefore he must be absent.

To lure Arjuna, King Susharma once again vows to challenge him with the Samsaptakas.

Drona instructs his forces to reorganize the moment he signals — by shooting a spiraling arrow skyward. Anyone from the Pandava side who enters the Chakravyuha will be trapped and easily killed.

Jayadratha Takes His Oath

Drona asks for a warrior capable of preventing entry into the formation. Jayadratha, king of Sindhu and husband of Dushala, steps forward eagerly. He seeks revenge for being humiliated when his head was shaved by the Pandavas.

He reveals that Lord Shiva granted him a boon that he would be invincible in battle for any one chosen day. Drona immediately accepts him as the key to the strategy.

Abhimanyu Prepares for Battle

Draupadi and Subhadra bless Abhimanyu, applying tilak and praying for victory. Abhimanyu searches for Uttara to take leave. Uttara suddenly faints, and Draupadi discovers she is pregnant. Joy spreads through the camp.

As Abhimanyu steps forward, his crown falls — an omen feared by Subhadra and Uttara, who beg him to stay back. Abhimanyu refuses, insisting that Yudhishtra needs him. Arjuna blesses him and reassures the anxious women.

The Thirteenth Day Begins

Sanjaya narrates the battlefield to Dhritarashtra.

The Kauravas arrange themselves in Padma Vyuha, while the Pandavas respond with Chandra Vyuha. The Pandavas struggle to understand the strategy behind the Kaurava formation.