Hindu Mythology - Abhimanyu trapped in the Chakravyuha

The son of Arjuna and Subhadra (the half-sister of Lord Krishna), Abhimanyu learnt the art of pene trating the deadly Chakravyuha while still in his mother's womb. According to Hindu mythology, it was from Arjuna that Abhimanyu got to know of this art. Apparently Arjuna was speaking to Subhadra about how to enter the Chakravyuha when she fell asleep so the baby did not hear how to get out of it successfully.

Abhimanyu's childhood was spent in Dwarka, being trained in the art of fighting by his father, and being brought up under the care of Lord Krishna himself. His father arranged his marriage to Uttara, the daughter of King Virata in order to consolidate the alliance between the Pandavas and the royal family of Virata, and so avoid the oncoming Kurukshetra War.

Being the grandson of Indra, the god of mystical weapons and wars, Abhimanyu was a daring and courageous warrior, considered equal to his father. He was able to hold great heroes like Drona and Duryodhana at bay and was constantly praised for his remarkable skills. And so Abhimanyu grew up a greatly admired man. However, legend has it that on the 13th day of the great battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, the former were challenged by the latter to break the circular battle formation known as the Chakravyuha. This was accepted by the Pandavas as the knowledge of defeating the formation was known to both Krishna and Arjuna. However, on that day Krishna and Arjuna were forced to fight another war with the Samsaptakas. So there was no choice but to send in young Abhimanyu, who knew how to break into the formation, but had not the slightest idea how to get out of it.

Thus, on that fateful day, Abhimanyu used his skills to break into the formation. Though the Pandava brothers attempted to follow him, they were cut off by Jayadratha, the Sindhu king, leaving Abhimanyu trapped to fend for himself against the entire Kaurava army. Fighting valiantly, Abhimanyu managed to slay several warriors, amongst them Duryodhana's son Laxman. When Duryodhana saw this, he was furious and ordered that Abhimanyu be killed instantly. By firing arrows from behind him, Karna managed to break Abhimanyu's bow. Soon, his chariot broke down as well, and his charioteer and horses were slain. Now ignoring all codes of war, the Kauravas converged on Abhimanyu, who was still fighting using only a sword and a chariot wheel as a shield. However, the chariot wheel soon shattered, and Abhimanyu was killed shortly thereafter.

According to legend, Abhimanyu's death marks the end of the code of conduct adhered to during war. Some even say that this did not only apply to the Kurukshetra War, but marked the end of all fair and nobly conducted wars.