*dies laughing*


I'm sure Krishna would have told Arjuna about the curse had there ever been that sort of situation, and the same result would have occurred (except without Abhimanyu's death). I think Drona knew, and must have told Duryodhana the night before "the big day" or something to that effect, because from Duryodhana's point of view, it would have been a win-win situation from any angle. If Arjuna failed, he would have had to immolate himself. If Arjuna won, his head would have exploded. And of course, there's also the possibility that Arjuna could have died on his way to Jayadratha, what with the entire Kaurava army against him. However, dear old Duryodhana forgot about the wondrously destructive power of the Pandavas and Yadavas combined (I think, between Bhima, Arjuna, and Satyaki, an entire akshauhini of Kaurava troops was killed, probably more... mind you, this is after Abhimanyu managed to kill an entire akshauhini by himself). Poor kid, he was probably left with the scraggly remnants of his forces, going, "WHYYYYY?!?!?!"