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Monday, December 21, 2015

Jarasandha chooses Bhima

As the child had been joined by Jara, the king named the child Jarasandha, one who is joined by Jara.. He began growing up, becoming stronger and mighty as days went. The sage, with whose blessing the child had been born, came to visit the king one day. The king went to see the sage with his two wives and son. The sage blessed the child with beauty and knowledge. He also said this will be the greatest of all kings known.

When the child grew up, Jarasandha was crowned king of Magadha. He then worked on expanding his kingdom, conquering other kings and winning over their kingdoms.

He was fine till Kamsa was killed by Krishna (Jarasandha's daughter was Kamsa's wife). He became an enemy of Krishna. In anger, he flung a huge mace towards Krishna which landed near Mathura (where Krishna was staying). Jarasandha had two followers - Hansa and Dimvaka. Hansa was killed in a fight with Balarama and Dimvaka committed suicide.

Telling the tale of Jarasandha to the Pandavas, Krishna said Jarasandha was evil and he needed to be killed. He was incapable of being destroyed by weapons, and the only way was to wrestle him to death. He thought Bhima was the most apt for this, nd if attacked by others, Arjuna would be able to defeat them.He suggested going in disguise to the kingdom of Magadha and then bring about the downfall of Jarasandha.

Yudhistira sent for Arjuna and Bhima and asked them to go with Krishna.

Taking the guise of Brahmanas Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima left for Magadha and after a long journey through picturesque locales they finally reached the kingdom of Magadha. They were welcomed by the people of Magadha, who were happy and cheerful.

Seeing brahmins in his land, the king came and welcomed them. He wanted to know who they really were. He said he saw that their physique was not like Brahmins and that they had scars on hands, from stringing bows.

Krishna said they would not disclose who they really were and he also said they had come into the enemy territory and had come for combat. Jarasandha said he did not recollect having ever hurt them in any way.

Krishna said they had come because a just king wanted to rule and had sent them to defeat the king. Krishna also told the king that he was not innocent as he was sacrificing the kings that he had defeated. Slaughter of humans was not acceptable and was a grave sin.

Disclosing their identities, he said he was  Krishna, and with him were two sons of Pandu and they had come to defeat Jarasandha.

Krishna asked the king whom among them did he choose for a combat. Jarasandha chose Bhima. Taking off his crown and tying his hair properly, Jarasandha stood up. Addressing Bhima, he said he wanted to fight with him.

In the arena, Jarasandha rushed towards Bhima, and a fight began among them with bare hands.

Seizing each other's arms and twining each other's legs, they slapped  and seizing each other's necks with their hands  they continued. They began to seize each other. Striking neck against neck and forehead against forehead, grasping each other by their arms, and kicking each other they struck at each other with clenched fists. They fought on dragging and pushing each other and fiercely looking at each other. Adept in wrestling, the two tried to throw each other down. A big crowd gathered to watch the match. It was the first day of the month of Kartika (October) when the fight began and for thirteen days this match continued. On the fourteenth day , Jarasandha felt tired. Seeing this an opportunity, Bhima with renewed strength attacked Jarasandha again, with an intent of killing him.

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