Mahabharata - The Slaying of Jarasandha

“Greetings, aunt.”

“In Vasudeva’s absence, please accept my greetings. Give me your blessing. I must return to Dwaraka today.”

Kunti looked at him with deep love. “Will you leave, Vasudeva?”

“I must go,” Krishna said softly. “Do I have the power to hold you close inside my heart forever?”

Krishna smiled gently. “Am I not in your heart, aunt? I am like your child. Every child lives in the mother’s heart, does he not, Mother?”

Kunti smiled through her sorrow.

“Then bless me,” Krishna said, bowing his head, “so that I may again return to your feet.”

“My eyes will always wait for you on the road, Vasudeva,” Kunti replied.

After taking leave of Kunti, Krishna went to Subhadra. There too, love and pain mixed together. Subhadra held both his hands, and her eyes filled with endless tears.

“Bhadrā, why are you so sad?” Krishna asked. “You have such a husband, such a son, and such god-like family members. Then why do you cry so much?”

“Brother, how will I live if you go away?”

Krishna smiled at her tenderly. “Look at that, what a strange thing to say. Where am I going, Bhadrā? I am always near you. The Pandavas are loved by everyone in this world. All are drawn to them. And where there is attraction, there is Krishna. Krishna means attraction. The Pandavas are never without Krishna, Bhadrā. Always remember this. Serve the elders, love the younger ones, and raise my Abhimanyu to be worthy of Partha. Do not be sad. We will meet again. Now come, come with me.”

Holding Subhadra’s hand, Krishna brought her to Draupadi’s room.

Krishnaa sat there in silence. Her face was dark and still like a cloud. At the news of Krishna’s departure, great pain had filled her heart. Even her room seemed silent. The maidservants moved nowhere. Slowly Krishna came to the doorway and called in a deep voice, “Panchali, will you not get up and come to bid me farewell?”

Draupadi answered without rising. “A friend from another home never truly becomes one’s own, Keshava. You are going back to Rukmini and Satyabhama. Then what need is there for farewell? Who are we to you?”

Krishna’s voice grew full of affection. “You do not know who you are to me, my friend. Yes, I am going back, but I am leaving my dearest treasure in your care, Panchali. Keep her carefully, like the jewel on Keshava’s head, dear one. Here, I place my finest jewel in your hands. Subhadra, color her in your own color, Panchali.”

Draupadi’s face softened. “No, Keshava. Your Bhadrā is already colored in your own color. When I look at her, I will remember you. Let her keep her own color. That is the color I will cherish. Come, Subhadra. Do not be sad, sister. Come to me.”

After placing Subhadra in Draupadi’s hands, Krishna bowed to the royal priest Dhaumya and walked with Arjuna toward his chariot.

Krishna’s royal dress shone brightly. Countless people from the palace followed behind him. Outside, it seemed that all of Khandavaprastha had come out to see Krishna once with their own eyes and bid him farewell. The royal road of Indraprastha looked like a sea of people.

His chariot had already been decorated and brought before the palace. After the needed customs were completed, Krishna moved toward it.

But then a wonderful sight appeared.

Where was his charioteer Daruka? On the driver’s seat sat King Yudhishthira himself, holding the reins.

Krishna bowed deeply to Yudhishthira and climbed into the chariot with a smile. Auspicious conch shells sounded on every side. Bhima held a royal umbrella above Krishna’s head. Arjuna fanned him. Nakula and Sahadeva walked on both sides of the chariot like guards. Through the cries of victory from the long lines of people, Vasudeva’s chariot rolled forward.

At last, near the border of Indraprastha, Krishna persuaded the Pandavas to stop following him. Then Daruka took the reins and drove the chariot toward Dwaraka. Until it vanished from sight, the five Pandavas stood in the middle of the road and gazed after him without blinking.

After seeing Krishna off, the five Pandavas returned to Khandavaprastha. Then Maya the demon came to Arjuna and said, “O great hero Arjuna, please give me permission to go to Mount Mainaka. There, for the great sacrifice of the demon king Vrishaparva, many precious treasures have been kept. I will soon return here with those jeweled things, the terrible mace of the demon king, and the Devadatta conch.”

Arjuna said, “Very well, go, Maya. Bring the finest treasures for King Yudhishthira’s palace.”

Maya went to Mount Mainaka, north of Mount Kailasa, and returned with many rare jewels and pearls and wonderful crystal and stones. He gave Bhima the terrible mace that had once crushed the enemies of the demon king Vrishaparva. Into Arjuna’s hands he placed the Devadatta conch. At the sound of that conch, it seemed the whole world trembled.

Then Maya began to build an assembly hall for King Yudhishthira.

That hall, with coverings of gold and divine crystal, became so new and so marvelous that even Lord Indra himself had never seen such a hall before. Its splendor shone brighter than the sun. Inside were golden trees, famous paintings, shining walls, towers, gateways, and beautiful carved works. Everything there was arranged to remove weariness and sorrow, to give joy, and to fill the mind with wonder.

By Maya’s order, eight thousand red-colored Rakshasas of fearful form guarded the hall. They were sky-moving beings called Kinkaras. If needed, they could carry that hall through the sky to another place.

In the middle of the hall was a wondrous lake. Golden lotuses bloomed there, and birds and bees flew to them in delight. The steps of the lake were made of crystal. The water too was clear as crystal. Around it Maya built four platforms of great jeweled stone. The bottom of the lake was lined with jewels. Above the water, the light of crystal and gems shone like sunlight. No outsider could understand that water lay there. Thinking it was crystal ground, they would step upon it, and only after falling in would they realize their mistake.

For fourteen straight months Maya built the hall.

At last, on an auspicious day, after feeding ten thousand Brahmins with respect and giving them gifts, Yudhishthira entered the new assembly hall. The Pandavas worshipped the gods, sages, and Brahmins and thus made the entrance holy and successful. Nothing was left undone for the joy of the guests. Sweet music began to play. The sounds of dance, song, and sacred chanting filled the air. And above them rose the voices of the people crying, “Victory to the great king!”

As the sounds of celebration filled the hall, a message came.

“The divine sage Narada wishes to see you.”

Yudhishthira turned at once to Nakula. “The divine sage Narada? Nakula, go quickly and bring the sage here with honor.”

“As you command, Maharaj.”

Soon Narada entered, saying, “Narayana, Narayana. Victory to King Yudhishthira, victory to the five Pandavas. I have come to see your new hall, Maharaj.”

Yudhishthira bowed with folded hands. “My respects, divine sage. You have come yourself. This is my great good fortune. Tell me, revered sage, how may I serve you?”

“Narayana, Narayana,” Narada said. “Son of Dharma, serve dharma. I do not expect service from you, child. I have come only to know whether you are ruling your kingdom properly and following dharma. And I have come to ask you a few questions.”

“Please command me, divine sage.”

Narada asked, “King Yudhishthira, do you know the proper use of dharma, wealth, and desire? Are you neglecting wealth for dharma, or dharma for wealth? For short happiness, are you falling under desire and insulting both dharma and wealth?”

Yudhishthira answered humbly, “O best of sages, I try as much as I can to follow the way the scriptures have taught for dharma, wealth, and desire. You yourself see with divine sight. If there is any fault in my actions or thoughts, please correct me, divine sage.”

“No, Maharaj,” Narada said kindly. “You are dharma itself. Till today you have made no mistake, Yudhishthira. But I wish to give you a few pieces of advice, son. These will help you become an even better king.”

“Your kindness is endless, divine sage. Please instruct me. I am fully ready.”

Narada said, “Listen, Maharaj. In all the forts you have in Khandavaprastha, there should always be enough wealth, food, water, weapons, and warriors stored. While ruling the people, use peace, gifts, punishment, and division when needed, but never become hated by your people through harsh punishment. When choosing a commander, make sure that an intelligent and brave man of good family and pure nature sits in that post. Spend half your income, or at most one-third. If you win the wealth of another kingdom, do not forget to share it among your main generals according to merit and honor. Make sure the soldiers get food and wages on time. Farmers should never lack seed. See that they can get loans at low interest. Never dishonor women. Never give great responsibility to a greedy man, a thief, one of bad family, or one too young. Make sure there is enough water supply in your kingdom. Remember, Maharaj, farming should not depend only on rain. Then in the dry season there will be no food. Care for the helpless and those who seek shelter like your own children. Every day before work begins, the full account of income and spending should be given to you. Keep an eye on that, child.”

Yudhishthira bowed his head. “I accept your priceless advice with my head bowed, divine sage. But I strongly wish to ask you one question.”

“Ask without fear, Yudhishthira. What do you wish to know?”

“Revered sage, you travel everywhere in heaven and on earth. Have you seen any hall like this royal hall of ours, or even better than this?”

Narada replied, “There is no such hall anywhere on earth, Yudhishthira. Your hall can only be compared with the halls of Brahma, Indra, Varuna, Kubera, and Yama. Of course, those heavenly halls are even more beautiful than yours. But no dead human can go to those halls. Still, in the halls of Indra and Yama I have seen only two men from earth. In Indra’s hall I saw King Harishchandra, and in Yama’s hall I met your father, the noble Pandu.”

Yudhishthira’s heart stirred deeply. “I greatly wish to know by what merit King Harishchandra gained a place in Amaravati’s hall, divine sage. And please also tell me the message of our revered father.”

Narada said, “By the endless merit of the Rajasuya sacrifice, King Harishchandra now lives in Amaravati, child. Your father, the noble Pandu, has strongly asked me to urge you to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice as well. By that merit he too will enjoy the happiness of Amaravati. I have come to you with that message, Yudhishthira. It is your duty to fulfill your father’s wish, O king. Discuss this sacrifice with your brothers and ministers.”

“As you command, divine sage. I will do so.”

From the moment Yudhishthira heard Narada speak of the Rajasuya sacrifice, he found no peace. He could not decide whether he truly had enough wealth, enough army, and enough courage to perform such a great sacrifice. On one side was the wish of his dead father. On the other side stood his own doubt. Pulled by both, he became deeply troubled.

At last he sat down with his four brothers to discuss the matter.

After hearing everything, Bhima said, “Maharaj, since the divine sage Narada has told us the wish of our late father, we need not think too much about it. His wish is his command. We should carry it out at once.”

Arjuna added, “Maharaj, our middle brother is right. But are you worried about something else?”

“It is not fear, Arjuna,” Yudhishthira replied. “I cannot decide whether we truly have the power to perform a royal sacrifice, younger brother.”

Arjuna answered with strength, “Maharaj, you have the strength of dharma. No one in your kingdom does any evil deed. The people love you even more than their own family. No one here speaks lies. Everyone gives their taxes willingly. No force is needed. In this kingdom sages, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, all live in peace with their own rights. The gods are kind to you. If you are not worthy of this sacrifice, then who is, Maharaj?”

Bhima then said, “Maharaj, be at ease about our strength too. Our middle brother Bhima destroys our enemies. By your blessing, I alone can protect the whole kingdom. The skill in arms and courage of brothers Nakula and Sahadeva are in no way less than those of world-conquering heroes. We are fully here for your protection, Maharaj.”

Nakula said, “Elder brother, no other king has the power to defeat us. So you alone are worthy of performing the Rajasuya sacrifice. Give the order, Maharaj. Brother Sahadeva and I will begin all the arrangements at once.”

Yudhishthira listened to them all. Then he said, “I have heard what all of you have said, but Nakula, I cannot make this decision alone. I must depend on someone’s command. So make arrangements at once to send a message to him.”

“Maharaj, whose command are you waiting for?”

“Vasudeva Krishna’s. Brother Sahadeva, send our fastest messenger and charioteer to Dwaraka at once with a chariot. I have great need of Vasudeva.”

The messenger reached Dwaraka with Yudhishthira’s message. When Krishna heard the urgent call, he did not delay. He climbed into his chariot and came swiftly to Khandavaprastha. The very fast chariot soon brought him into the royal hall of the Pandavas.

The five brothers welcomed and worshipped him with joy. Krishna rested for a while. Then, at Yudhishthira’s loving invitation, he entered the council chamber and sat down.

Yudhishthira spoke openly. “Vasudeva, I am thinking of performing the Rajasuya sacrifice. My family and friends have all given me their views on this. But Krishna, every man in this world is a servant of some desire. One wants victory, another wants the pleasures of a kingdom, another tries in every way to stay in the good eyes of the king. So no one is free from selfishness. Only you have no selfish desire, Vasudeva. Your sight and judgment are very clear. So I am waiting for your guidance. Tell me, Vasudeva, can I perform the Rajasuya sacrifice?”

Krishna answered, “Maharaj, in every way you are worthy of performing the Rajasuya sacrifice. But if you do so, you will face a great problem.”

“What problem, Keshava?”

“That problem is Jarasandha. All the kings of the earth are under Jarasandha. You know, Maharaj, the one under whom the whole earth lives is called emperor. Jarasandha is that emperor. The immensely powerful Shishupala is his chief commander. King Bakra, King Karava, King Meghavahana, your father’s friend Mura, the aged Yavana king, Bhagadatta, all of them are under Jarasandha. The foolish king Pundra, who rules Pundra, Banga, and Kirata in my name and with my signs, also supports Jarasandha. The fearless Bhoja king Bhishyaka is with Jarasandha too. Only your maternal uncle Purojita is on your side.”

Bhima immediately said, “Even if not one king stands with us, I do not fear Jarasandha, Vasudeva. I alone can crush him on the path.”

Krishna turned to him and said, “Middle brother, Jarasandha is not as easy an enemy as you think. Think once, how great his power must be if all the kings of the earth accept his rule. Not only that, he has kept eighty-six kings as prisoners. When the number becomes one hundred, he will sacrifice them before Mahadeva. He is even collecting taxes from the kingdoms of those captive kings. Since I killed Kamsa, the son-in-law of Jarasandha, I and elder brother Balarama have become his chief enemies. Even by fighting without stop for three hundred years, it would not be possible to destroy Jarasandha’s army. Understanding this, we Yadavas left Mathura and moved our kingdom near Mount Raivataka. So I say, Maharaj, while Jarasandha lives, you can never perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. First try to kill him. Otherwise you cannot become emperor.”

Yudhishthira shook his head. “No, Krishna. I cannot walk that path. After hearing what you have said, I cannot even think of killing Jarasandha. If we try that, we will suffer terrible loss. Vasudeva, I have decided. I will not perform the royal sacrifice. You also should think no more about it.”

At once Arjuna spoke with fire. “Younger king, why have you become hopeless? Forgive me, Maharaj, but such hopelessness does not suit you when Vasudeva himself, middle brother Bhima, and I are in your court. The strength, skill, and finest weapons that men fail to gain even after great effort are in my hands. I also have enough physical and mental power. We were born in a royal line. We are the best among Kshatriyas. Then does such weakness suit us? The kings held prisoner by Jarasandha are Kshatriyas too.”

Yudhishthira said, “Arjuna, they too must surely be strong and brave. Do not forget their bad luck as well, younger brother.”

Arjuna replied, “Maharaj, despair is the cause of ruin for a Kshatriya. If you do not perform the Rajasuya sacrifice, you can never gain the highest honor. You will remain only a king, Maharaj. There are many ordinary kings in this world. And why speak of peace before the war has even begun, Maharaj? We are ready to fight.”

Krishna then said, “Maharaj, Arjuna has spoken like a true hero. All are under death. No one becomes immortal by avoiding battle. We must fight Jarasandha. But there is no use in attacking him openly with an army. We must learn his weakness and kill him by skill, in disguise. But be careful, we must not let him know any weakness of ours.”

Yudhishthira looked at Krishna and asked, “Who is this great hero Jarasandha, Vasudeva? What is his true story?”

Krishna answered, “King Brihadratha was the mighty ruler of Magadha. The birth of his son was very strange. Instead of one full body, he was born in two separate halves. A demoness named Jara joined those two halves together, so the child was named Jarasandha. By the blessing of the sage Chandakaushika, he became the strongest man on earth. No power in the world can defeat him in battle.”

“Then how will you defeat him?”

“By strategy, Maharaj. I am skillful, Bhima is strong, and Arjuna is protector. The three of us will go in disguise and challenge Jarasandha to single combat. Great and mighty Jarasandha will choose to wrestle Bhima rather than me or Arjuna. And in that fight, my middle brother will be able to destroy him. This I firmly believe. If you have faith in me, Maharaj, then place middle brother and Arjuna in my hands.”

Yudhishthira’s heart gave way at last. “No, no, Krishna, do not speak like that. You are the lord of the Pandavas. We were waiting for your command. If you only say the word with your own mouth, Jarasandha will die, the captive kings will be freed, and my royal sacrifice will be fulfilled. Even the gods cannot defeat Krishna and Arjuna together. What can one mere man do here? Let it be as you wish, O Lord of the world. Free this earth from Jarasandha soon and return safely. If you go forward like lions, with Arjuna behind you and Bhima behind Arjuna, then your victory is certain.”

Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna bowed. “Your command is on our heads, Maharaj.”

Disguised as Brahmins, Krishna set out toward the kingdom of Magadha, where Jarasandha ruled. Bhima and Arjuna went with him. Passing through Kurujangala and the land of Kalakuta, crossing the Gandaki, the Yamuna, and other rivers, Krishna reached Mithila. From there he crossed the Ganga with Bhima and Arjuna and entered Magadha.

They came to a mountain at the edge of Girivraja, the capital city of Jarasandha. Standing there, Krishna spoke to Arjuna of the happiness and wealth of that kingdom and the good health of its people.

Powerful sages like Dirghatama and Chandakaushika had greatly blessed and favored Jarasandha’s line and kingdom. The people of that land lived happily, so festivals and joy were never lacking there. The mountain where Krishna stood was called Chaityaka. Its peaks had been beautifully decorated by the people. In its deep places were cool lakes, lovely groves and gardens, and three great drums that marked King Brihadratha’s victory.

The three heroes broke those three drums. Then they easily lifted an ancient peak and entered the city with it.

From afar they could already see Jarasandha’s palace. Bhima looked at it with open scorn.

As they walked along the road, Krishna took flower garlands and body perfume from a garland-maker and colored his clothes. Bhima and Arjuna did the same. After adorning themselves with sandalwood and perfume, they stood before Jarasandha through a lesser gate.

At that time Jarasandha was keeping a special vow and fasting. He greatly respected Brahmins. Even at midnight he would personally offer water and gifts to visiting Brahmins. So when he saw the three large men dressed as Brahmins, he welcomed them with proper honor.

“May your coming be auspicious,” Jarasandha said. “But though your dress is like that of Brahmins, I can clearly see the marks of bow and arrow on your arms. Why have you broken the peaks of Chaityaka mountain and come into my chamber through the wrong gate? Speak the truth, who are you?”

Krishna answered calmly, “Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, these three classes may wear garlands and sandal paste. We have done no wrong by wearing this dress. We give more value to strength of arms than to skill of speech. And wise men enter an enemy’s room through the lesser gate. You are our enemy. So we have made no mistake in choosing the door.”

Jarasandha frowned. “How have I become your enemy? I do not remember ever meeting you in this life.”

Krishna replied, “King Jarasandha, think of us as your enemies, because at the word of one of the greatest kings of the Kshatriya line we have come to punish you. You have sinned, Jarasandha. You have imprisoned many good kings who cared for their people and wish to sacrifice them before Mahadeva. You are treating powerful Kshatriya men like animals. We have never heard of human sacrifice, yet you are preparing to do that evil act. We have come to punish you for this sin.”

Jarasandha answered proudly, “The wise have said that the conquered may be treated as one wishes. Those prisoners were kings I had already defeated. So I may treat them as I wish.”

Krishna’s eyes flashed. “No, never. You cannot sacrifice them before the gods. We have come to protect those Kshatriya kings. We are not Brahmins, O king. Let us now tell you our true names. I am Hrishikesha Krishna, and these are Kunti’s sons Bhimasena and Arjuna. We challenge you to battle. Either free those kings, or prepare to go to the land of death.”

Jarasandha laughed harshly. “Those kings are wealth won by me. There is no question of freeing them. I will fight. What kind of battle do you want? Will you fight with armies, or all together, or will one of you fight me alone?”

“Battle should be equal,” Krishna replied.

Jarasandha looked at them and made his choice. “I will wrestle with Bhima. But wait a little first. I must now have my son Sahadeva crowned to the throne of Magadha.”

Jarasandha dressed himself for wrestling. The royal priest brought sacred things and herbs and performed the king’s rites. Then Vasudeva Krishna himself performed the rites for Bhimasena.

The two mighty wrestlers roared loudly and struck their hands. Then they stood face to face.

Like angry lions they leaped upon one another.

With all their bodies they tried to crush and kill each other. Their shouts spread through the sky and air of Magadha. Locking each other with hands and feet, they fought with wild force. But neither could defeat the other.

In this way fourteen days passed.

At last Jarasandha grew somewhat tired. He stopped for a short rest. Bhima, however, was still untired. Seeing him eager to continue, Krishna said, “It is not right to press a warrior worn out by battle, son of Kunti. Under such pressure he may lose his life. Show some softness toward the king. Fight only lightly with your arms.”

But Bhima answered, “No, Krishna. I have no pity for Jarasandha. This sinful Jarasandha has killed your kinsmen. He has killed many more innocent people too. There is no meaning in letting him live. I will destroy him.”

Krishna said, “O Bhima, son of the wind, then now show the divine strength given by your father.”

At Krishna’s command, Bhima lifted Jarasandha over his head and spun him with terrible force. Then he hurled him hard to the ground, pressed him down with his foot, and broke Jarasandha’s back.

At that moment the roar of Bhima and the dreadful cry of Jarasandha together rose like a storm through Magadha. Before the eyes of thousands, Bhima left the lifeless body of Jarasandha at the gate of the royal palace.

Krishna said at once, “Come, middle brother. Come, Partha. Let us take Jarasandha’s chariot itself and go free the captive kings.”

Arjuna said, “You sit in the chariot, Keshava. I will sit in the charioteer’s seat.”

Krishna shook his head. “No, Partha. I myself want to bring those kings, who are trembling with fear, in their own chariot and give them courage. So today I will be the charioteer.”

Then Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna came to Jarasandha’s prison. Krishna himself opened the iron gates. To the frightened kings inside, it was like sunrise.

“Vasudeva Krishna,” they cried, “what are we seeing? Have you come to free us from this hell, Vasudeva?”

“Yes, O kings,” Krishna said. “There is no more fear. The sinful Jarasandha has been killed by the middle Pandava. Now you are free. I have come to take you away.”

The kings were overwhelmed. “You have given us new life, Vasudeva. Tell us how we can repay this debt. We can place even our lives in your hands.”

Krishna answered, “No, no, O kings. Do not speak of giving your lives. Now you are fully free. I have come to take you with honor to Indraprastha. King Yudhishthira will perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. All of you will stand beside him.”

“Certainly, Vasudeva,” the kings said. “We all will help make King Yudhishthira’s sacrifice successful.”

Then Jarasandha’s son came forward and bowed. “Please accept the greetings of Sahadeva, son of Jarasandha, Vasudeva Krishna.”

Krishna blessed him. “Be victorious, child. Sit on your father’s throne and rule your kingdom without fear. You have my full support.”

Krishna brought the captive kings of Magadha to Indraprastha in chariots. When Yudhishthira heard of Jarasandha’s death, he was filled with endless joy. The Pandavas honored those freed kings properly and bound them with ties of friendship. After spending some time in happiness at Indraprastha, the kings returned to their own lands.

Now that Jarasandha had been slain, the arrangements for the Rajasuya sacrifice began without fear. With King Yudhishthira’s permission, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva set out to conquer the four directions. Unless other kings were brought under their rule, the royal sacrifice could not be performed.

The four Pandavas, through great heroism, received loyalty and tribute from countless kingdoms—Kashmir, Trigarta, Kamboja, Jhataka, the land of the Gandharvas, Malla, Samuka, Ayodhya, and many more. In triumph they returned to Yudhishthira.

After learning how much wealth had been stored in the treasury and how much grain filled the granaries, grand preparations began for the holy sacrifice. Invitations were sent in all directions. An invitation went to Hastinapura as well.

From many lands of Aryavarta came countless kings, Brahmins, sages, rishis, and Gandharvas as guests of the Rajasuya sacrifice. It would not be long before Yudhishthira became emperor over kings.

But at that very time, a terrible event took place on the ground of the Rajasuya sacrifice. It seemed that the sacrifice itself would now be ruined. Seeing no other way, Krishna called upon the Sudarshana. The place of sacrifice was flooded with blood. The invited kings stood frozen.

It was a great disaster.