First of all there is a great difference between Arjuna and any other warrior in the Kurukshetra war, be it Abhimanyu, the five sons of Draupadi, and even Yudhishthira. In fact Ghatotkach and Barbreek were actually rushed to their death as sacrifice for the greater purpose of the war. Abhimanyu seems to be also part of the same great sacrifice in the fire lit at the altar of Kali that completely turned the tables of war in total favour of the Pandavas. Whatever soft corner Arjuna and others still had for their cousins, guru and grandsire was totally demolished after this. Besides we do not know if the soul of Abhimanyu did not chose to go this way immortalising itself in history. A true kshatriya, warrior soul does seek such deaths as it is supposed to open the gates of highest heavens and is regarded as sadgati. Perhaps the soul of Abhimanyu, like quite a few other similar instances in the history of wars chose to immortalise itself through this sacrifice (ahuti) and be remembered through history as the ultimate icon of valour (shaurya) rather than somehow survive and later inherit a blood stained throne. Perhaps Sri Krishna knew his soul’s secret aspiration and acted accordingly.
As to Arjuna, he is a chosen instrument of the Divine and has been with Sri Krishna through the battle of the Ages across lives. There is always a special Grace and protection accompanying such special heroic souls. They are born to accomplish the Divine Work and hence a special Grace is always with them until the work is done.
It is also important to understand that the Divine does not see the world as we do. Death is a great tragic event for us but for the Divine it is a change of dress. What is more important is not how many years one lived and enjoyed but how one lived and what one accomplished for Earth and mankind even though or rather inspite of a short lifespan.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
