Śrī Kṛṣṇa, eager to rouse Dharmarāja to high endeavour, spoke with calm authority. “It is meet that you undertake the destruction of Jarāsandha and thereafter perform the Rājasūya, that most arduous rite beyond mortal reach. In ages past, Bhagiratha, by the strong shield of his people’s will; Yavanasva, through alert and disciplined methods; Bharata, by sheer might of arm; Kārtavīrya, through the grace won by penance; and Marutta, by brilliance and keen intelligence, won vast dominions and were hailed as emperors. You, O son of Dharma, are endowed with every one of these powers—popular support, the benediction of austerity, the strength of sinews, and a mind sharpened by wisdom. Therefore, this enterprise lies well within your grasp. Jarāsandha, whatever be his strength and vaunted power, walks a path of wickedness; wealth in the hands of the unwise is never steadfast and their fame is but a fleeting wind.”
Then Bhīma took up the charge. “Riches are a mirage to those who make no effort. The man of resolute action may subdue even the strongest if that rival is slothful. The world applauds the warrior who faces the mighty; whether he win or fall, his courage shines. To conquer the feeble is no triumph but a disgrace. With Kṛṣṇa’s grace, with Arjuna’s steadfast arm, and with your blessing, I shall meet the traitor of society in open combat. We three are as the three sacred fires of the household sacrifice: the āhavanīya, where oblations rise to heaven; the dakṣiṇāgni, ruled by Yama, lord of the southern quarter; and the gārhapatya, guardian of virtue and domestic rite. To these three flames shall Jarāsandha be offered as the fitting oblation. Your Rājasūya shall be hallowed by the overthrow of the earth’s oppressors and the moon-born race shall shine in undying glory.”
Arjuna followed, his spirit kindled. “O lord of the Kurus, conquer the kings of the earth; uncounted treasures shall anoint your sovereignty. Strength of arm, the bow Gāṇḍīva with its inexhaustible quiver, the chariot and steeds of heaven—these are given for the increase of your wealth, your fame and your virtue. The wondrous hall wrought by Maya itself is a sign that the earth awaits your supremacy. True courage is adorned by virtue and wealth, while the timid remain dim though surrounded by gold. In the Rājasūya, the freeing of the captive kings and the fall of Jarāsandha will lift your renown to the highest heavens and stand as dharma’s own work, the salvation of the good and the punishment of the wicked.”
Kṛṣṇa, pleased by the steadfast hearts of the two brothers, said gravely, “Strength must be wielded in accord with the law of the scriptures. Those guided by intelligence and by righteous effort abide in that law. Bhīma and Arjuna shall meet Jarāsandha like storm-tossed waves uprooting mighty trees. Yet his presence is elusive as the soul within the body: unseen, his span unknown. As the soul abides unseen in every creature and endures for its destined time, so does Jarāsandha live in lonely confidence, deeming none can find his lair. But once the path is known, it is no hard thing to reach and slay the solitary.”
Dharmarāja answered with quiet faith. “If Jarāsandha incurs your wrath, O Kṛṣṇa, he will fall like a locust in flame. Yet tell me how he came by such unequaled power and cruel heart.”
Kṛṣṇa recounted the hidden tale. “In Magadha, once ruled King Bṛhadratha, upright and valorous. He conquered his foes by skill and courage and took in marriage the twin daughters of the Kāśi king. Though he worshipped gods and sages and performed many rites, no child blessed his house. Vexed in spirit, he journeyed with his queens into the forest, where he beheld the sage Chanda Kauśika, radiant as the tender sun, serene and desireless. The king served the holy one with devotion, and the sage, well-pleased, bade him speak his wish. Bṛhadratha bowed low and said, ‘All comforts are mine, yet I am childless. By thy grace, grant me a son.’
“The sage, deep in meditation, beheld a mango fall upon his thigh—not by wind or bird but by heaven’s will. He sanctified the fruit with his power and gave it to the king, blessing him for a son. The king, unwilling to show favour, cut the fruit and gave half to each queen. Each conceived; yet at the term each brought forth but half a child—lifeless, hideous. Ashamed, the queens cast the halves aside. A rākṣasī named Jarā found them. Moved by a sudden pity, she joined the two pieces and they became one living boy, who wailed so loudly that fear seized the palace. The demoness, her heart softened, brought the child to the king and told all. Overjoyed, Bṛhadratha named him Jarāsandha— ‘joined by Jarā.’ He blessed the rākṣasī and vowed a yearly festival in her honour.
“The boy grew heedless of the gentle ways of kings, his strength and cruelty rising like sacrificial fire fed with ghee. When Chanda Kauśika returned and beheld him, he prophesied that Jarāsandha would be a king of unmatched might and that no ordinary weapon could harm him. He hinted at the hidden flaw of his birth: as he had been formed of two halves, so could he be slain only by being torn asunder and the parts cast apart. This secret remained veiled until now that I reveal it to you, that Bhīma may end his tyranny in single combat.
“Bṛhadratha, having crowned his wondrous son, withdrew to the forest with his queens. Jarāsandha, aided by the fierce warriors Hamsa and Dimbhaka, conquered many kings without mercy. But those pillars of his power have perished, and now the king of Magadha stands weakened—sun without radiance, bird without wings—haunted by the ebbing of his might. Such is the lesson of time: every power, however great, is destined to fall when met by steadfast strength and wise design. In the strength of Bhīma, the vigilance of Arjuna, and the counsel of Kṛṣṇa is forged the force that shall lay low even the seemingly invincible.”
