The Encounter with Jarasandha

Krishna got Yudhidhthira’s permission to challenge Jarasandha with support from Bheema and Arjuna. He knew that the king of Magadha was invincible in an open war. Krishna had tried that several times in the past and failed. But, he knew that Bheema with his superior strength could face the Magadha chief and defeat him.

Visitors in disguise

What should his approach be to the enemy ? The capital city of Magadha was well secured by several moats and high walls. Strong contingents of army were posted at every gate. If they went as warriors, they would face several unnecessary challenges before meeting the king. So, Krishna decided that the three of them go as Brahmins.

They went through the gates of the city and were taken to the king. Jarasandha received them with respect. But, he was suspicious. Though dressed as Brahmins, they bore scars from the constant use of weapons. So, he asked them for the truth.

A dual as alms

Krishna spoke on behalf of the rest. He confessed that they were, in fact, rulers disguised as Brahmins. He introduced himself and the two Pandavas. He then told him that they came to challenge him for a dual. He could choose any of them as opponent.
Jarasandha accepted the challenge. But, he wondered why they bothered. What wrong had he done to them?

Krishna explained that the king had kept several rulers in his jail with the idea of offering them in human sacrifice to his favourite deity. That was totally against the ethics of war. Krishna’s mission was to defeat Jarasandha and release all his prisoners from bondage.
Jarasandha did not agree to Krishna’s accusations. He argued that it was his right to do whatever he liked with enemies he defeated in straight combats.

Two lions locked in combat

But, he was a noble king and a brave one, too. He found that it was only Bheema who could offer some resistance to him. So, he picked Bheema out and offered a dual to him.

The two started wrestling against each other. They were evenly matched in strength and tactics. The fight lasted several days. Even days of fighting did not diminish Bheema’s strength. But, the Magadha king started showing signs of weakness. Krishna hinted to Bheema that it was time that he used all his strength and finished off his enemy.

Then, as though by a miracle, Bheema grew even stronger. He lifted his foe and threw him down on earth and broke his bones. He tore the king of Magadha into two pieces from head down to his toe along the same line through which he was joined by the demon, Jara. Thus, the king of Magadha was killed.

A mission accomplished

When the mighty king was killed all his ministers and general came and bowed before the three in subjugation. Krishna ordered all the kings locked in jails to be released immediately. The former rulers were grateful to Krishna and the Pandavas for their freedom and their very lives. They were willing to do anything in return for the great help. Krishna mentioned the forthcoming Rajasooya of Yudhishthira and requested for all necessary assistance at that time.

Krishna accomplished several objectives in one stroke. Jarasandha would have certainly become a stumbling block to the great sacrificial ritual of the Pandavas. He also would be a formidable enemy in a future war that the Pandavas were likely to wage against the Kauravas. The alliance of all the released rulers would become a great asset for either of the two events.

With the mission accomplished Krishna returned to Indraprastha with his Pandava friends.