JARASANDHA Jarasandha and Kalayavana were killed. (Gauri M. l, p. 224) Jarasandha was a terrible king of Magadha. Asti and Prapti, the two wives of Kansa were daughters of Jarasandha. When Kansa was killed by Sri Krishna, the daughters went to their fatner and wailed and wept before him. Jarasandha was filled with great ire and with a mighty army besieged the city of Mathura. A fierce battle followed between Jarasandha and Sri Kristina.
During the fierce fighting, Balarama was about to kill Jarasandha, when a heavenly voice was heard that Balarama was not the person to kili Jarasandha. Therefore Jarasandha was set free by Balarama and Sri Krishna. The enmity between Sri Krishna and Jarasandha was lifelong. They confronted each other eighteen times. Ultimately Sri Krishna decided to kili Jarasandha in a duel. Once Sri Krishna, along with Arjuna and Bhima went to the city of Magadha in the guise of Brahmins.
They were received with traditional courtesy by Jarasandha, who wanted to know about their identity. Sri Krishna told him that his friends were having the vow of silence, which would terminate only at midnight. At midnight, Jarasandha came again to know the identity of the three Brahmins. Then Sri Krishna revealed to him that they were Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima and had come to fight a duel with him. They wanted to set free many innocent kings, who had unreasonably been put in a dungeon.
Jarasandha was asked to select any one of them for a duel. He, in a great fury, selected Bhima, who killed him in that duel. The tyrant had to be punished and for this purpose, the method of duel-fighting was chosen, so that the unnecessary warfare could be avoided.
References :
1. Kohli, Surindar Singh (ed), Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993
Jarasandha is a fascinating character in Hindu mythology, prominently featured in the epic Mahabharata. He was the powerful king of Magadha, known for his immense strength, strategic alliances, and enmity with Krishna and the Pandavas.
Key Aspects of Jarasandha:
Birth and Name:
- Jarasandha’s birth is unique and miraculous. His father, King Brihadratha, received a boon from a sage to have a child. However, his two queens each gave birth to half a human body. These halves were discarded but later joined together by a demoness named Jara, giving him the name “Jarasandha,” meaning “joined by Jara”.
Rise to Power:
- Jarasandha became a formidable ruler, expanding his kingdom and forging alliances with other powerful kings. He was known for imprisoning 86 kings to sacrifice them to Shiva, showcasing his ambition and ruthlessness.
Conflict with Krishna:
- Jarasandha harbored a deep hatred for Krishna after the latter killed his son-in-law, Kamsa. He attacked Mathura 17 times but was repeatedly defeated by Krishna.
Duel with Bhima:
- Jarasandha’s death is a pivotal moment in the Mahabharata. Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna disguised themselves to challenge him. Bhima fought Jarasandha in a fierce duel and ultimately killed him by tearing him apart, exploiting the fact that his body was joined unnaturally.
Symbolism:
- Jarasandha represents unchecked ambition and the consequences of arrogance. His story highlights themes of justice, divine intervention, and the triumph of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness).
Jarasandha’s tale is rich with intrigue, moral lessons, and epic battles.
