Birth and upbringing of Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna and Subhadra
Subhadra gives birth to a radiant son, Abhimanyu. Celebrated with gifts and rites, the boy grows under the tutelage of his father Arjuna and his uncle Krishna, becoming a warrior of legendary promise.
Then, Krishna’s beloved sister Subhadra gave birth to a radiant son, like the goddess Poulomi giving birth to Jayanta. He was long-armed, of great strength, with the eyes of a bull and a vanquisher of enemies. Subhadra’s brave son, a bull among men, was known as Abhimanyu. He was named so because he was extremely wrathful — his spirit was fierce from the start.
Dhananjaya had produced this atiratha (supreme warrior) from a Satvata lady, like sacred fire is produced from the womb of a shami tree at a sacrifice.
At his birth, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira donated ten thousand cows and several thousand coins to brahmanas. From childhood, Abhimanyu became a favourite of Vasudeva — Krishna — and was like a moon, bringing light to all his fathers (the Pandavas) and to their subjects. Krishna himself performed all the auspicious rites for the child from birth onwards. Abhimanyu began to grow like the moon in the bright half of the lunar month, increasing in splendour each day.
That vanquisher of enemies learned all the Vedas from Arjuna — with their four divisions and ten branches — and the complete art of archery, everything known to man and god. The extremely powerful boy became skilled in the science of all weapons. He learned all the special acts of handling them. In acquisition, use, and in circular motions, Dhananjaya was pleased to see his son Soubhadra become his equal.
Abhimanyu could bear everything from his enemies. He was blessed with all the auspicious marks. He was invincible in battle and had the shoulders of a bull. His wide mouth was like that of a serpent. The mighty archer was as proud as a lion. His valour was like that of a mad elephant. His voice was like thunderous clouds. His face was like that of the full moon. He was Krishna’s equal in valour, energy, beauty, and form.
Bibhatsu — Arjuna — saw in his son Maghavan (Indra) himself.