EIGHTY-SIX MONARCHS IN PRISON

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA - SABHA PARVA - RAAJASOOYA AARAMBHA (UPA) PARVA - CHAPTER 15 - EIGHTY-SIX MONARCHS IN PRISON

“Yudhishthira said, ‘As You are intelligent, You have said what none else is capable of saying. There is none else on earth who is settler of all doubts (except Sri Krishna). Look, there are kings in every province employed in benefiting their respective selves. But no one among them has been able to achieve the imperial dignity (Saamraajya in Sanskrit). Indeed, the title emperor (Samraada in Sanskrit) is difficult of acquisition. He that knows the valour and strength of others never applauds himself. He, indeed, is really worthy of worship who, engaged in encounters with his enemies, bears himself commendably. O you supporter of the dignity of the Vrishni race (Sri Krishna), man’s desires and natural tendencies, like the wide earth itself adorned with many jewels, are varied and extensive. As experience cannot be gained but by travelling in regions remote from one’s home, so moksha can never be attained except by acting according to principles that are very high, compared with the ordinary level of our desire and natural tendencies. I regard peace of mind as the highest object here, for from that quality may proceed my prosperity. In my judgment, if I undertake to celebrate this yagna, I shall never win the highest reward. O Janaardana (Sri Krishna), filled with energy and intelligence, these that have been born in our (Kshatriya) race think that someone among them will at one time become the foremost among all Kshatriyas. But, O noble one (Sri Krishna), we also were all frightened by the fear of Jaraasandha and, O sinless one (Sri Krishna), by the wickedness of that monarch (Jaraasandha). O You invincible in battle (Sri Krishna), the strength of Your arm is my refuge. When, therefore, You have feared at Jaraasandha’s strength, how should I regard myself strong in comparison with him? Maadhava (Sri Krishna), O You of the Vrishni race, I am repeatedly depressed by the thought whether Jaraasandha is capable or not of being slain by You, by (Bala)Rama, by Bhimasena, or by Arjuna. But what shall I say, O Keshava (Sri Krishna)? You are my highest authority on everything.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘On hearing these words, Bhima well-skilled in speech said, ‘That king who is without effort, or who being weak and without resources enters into hostility with one that is strong, perishes like an ant-hill. It may be generally seen, however, that a king that is weak may vanquish an enemy that is strong and obtain the fruition of all his wishes, by wakefulness and by the application of policy (Nayaa in Sanskrit). In (Sri) Krishna is policy (Nayaa in Sanskrit), in myself strength, in Arjuna victory. So, like the three fires that accomplish a yagna, we shall accomplish the death of the king of Magadha (Jaraasandha).’

“(Sri) Krishna then said, ‘One that is immature in understanding seeks the fruition of his desire without an eye to what may happen to him in future. It is seen that no one forgives for that reason an enemy that is of immature understanding and inclined to serve his own interests. It has been heard by us that in the Krita yuga, having brought everyone under their subjection, Yauvanaashwa by the abolition of all taxes, Bhagiratha by his kind treatment to his subjects, Kaartaveerya by the energy of his Tapas, the lord Bharata by his strenght and valour, and Marutta by his prosperity, all these five became emperors. But, O Yudhishthira, you who desire the imperial dignity (Saamraajya in Sanskrit) deserves it, not by one but by all these qualities – victory, protection afforded to your people, Dharma, prosperity, and policy. Know, O bull of the Kuru race (Yudhishthira), that Jaraasandha, the son of Brihadratha, is such (i.e., a candidate for the imperial dignity). A hundred dynasties of kings have become unable to oppose Jaraasandha. He, therefore, may be regarded to be an emperor for his strength. Kings that are wearers of jewels worship Jaraasandha (with presents of jewels). But, wicked from his childhood, he is scarcely satisfied with such worship. Having become the foremost among all, yet he (Jaraasandha) attacks with violence kings with crowns on their heads. Nor is there seen any king from whom he does not take tribute. Thus, he has brought under his rule nearly a hundred kings. How can, O Paarthaa, any weak monarch approach him with hostile intentions? Confined in the temple (Griha in Sanskrit) of Pashupata (Lord Shiva) and offered as sacrifice to Him like so many animals, do not these monarchs dedicated to that Deva feel the most pitiable misery, O bull of the Bharata race? A Kshatriya that dies in battle is ever regarded with respect. Why shall we not, therefore, meet together and oppose Jaraasandha in battle? He has already brought eighty-six kings; fourteen only are wanting to complete one hundred. As soon as he obtains those fourteen, he will begin his cruel act. He that shall be to obstruct that act (of sacrifice of monarchs) will surely win blazing fame. He that will vanquish Jaraasandha will surely become the emperor of all the Kshatriyas.’”