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Arjuna did not reply. Kṛṣṇa placed an arm around his shoulder. However, O son of Pāṇḍu, it will not be easy to accomplish.”

“Why did You not tell me what was happening today, O Madhava? I do not think he found any protector while among those vicious men.

Yet still it was hard not to see how things might have been different. Why had he not been by Abhimanyu’s side when he needed him most? All of you together could not protect my son.”

“O foremost of men, do not be afraid. He will not even be able to get near you tomorrow. Drive the fear from your heart.”

Certainly Arjuna alone would not be able to cross the entire Kaurava army, but Arjuna was not alone.

Do not give way to evil thoughts. Probably a trivial calamity has taken place.”

Should they not be feeling despair?

Arjuna cried out, “Without doubt, my heart is made of stone that it does not shatter into fragments. The Kauravas may rejoice only for as long as I do not return to the field.

“If I do not kill that wretch tomorrow, then may I never attain the regions meant for the righteous. If I do not kill Jayadratha tomorrow, then such will be my end.”

As they entered its perimeters, Arjuna looked around and said, “O Janārdana, I do not hear the auspicious The bards and minstrels are not singing songs describing our victories.

I also see that Abhimanyu is not here, nor does anyone welcome me. Save and except Abhimanyu, no one could have penetrated that formation in my absence, but he did not

They could not hold his gaze and shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

“Do not give way to grief. This is the inevitable end of heroes who never think of retreating. Do not lament, for you are plunging your brothers and followers in sorrow.

Why had he not seen it? If he had, Abhimanyu would still be alive.

“I say this truly: tomorrow I will slay Jayadratha, if indeed he does not forsake Duryodhana in fear If he stays in the battle and does not seek shelter of either Kṛṣṇa or yourself, O King, he will die

He could not understand Kṛṣṇa’s apprehension. When we are together, what are we not able to achieve?

Even the gods will not be able to pass the arrangement I will create to protect you.”

Do not be afraid of death.

This time Yudhiṣṭhira would not protect him.

“O daughter of the Vrishni race, do not give way to this grief. Born also into a race of heroes, you should not lament one who has met a hero’s death.