SRI KRISHNA CONFRONTS JARAASANDHA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > JARAASANDHA VADHA PARVA > CHAPTER 21 - SRI KRISHNA CONFRONTS JARAASANDHA

“Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) said, ‘Look, O Paarthaa (Arjuna), the great capital of Magadha, standing in all its beauty. Filled with flocks, herds and its stock of water never exhausted, and adorned also with fine mansions standing in excellent array, it is free from every kind of calamity. The five large hills of Vaihaaraa (present-day Mount Baibhar), Varaaha, Vrishabha, Rishigiri, and the delightful Chaitya, all of high peaks and overgrown with tall trees of cool shade and connected with one another, seem to be jointly protecting the city of Girivraja (present-day Rajgir, Nalanda district, Bihar, India). The chest of the hills are concealed by forests of delightful and fragrant Lodhraas (Botanical name Symplocos racemosa Roxb) having the ends of their branches covered with flowers. It was here that the illustrious (Rishi) Gautama of rigid vows (Vrata in Sanskrit) begat on the Shoodra woman Ausheenari – Kaakshivat and other celebrated sons. That the race sprung from (Rishi) Gautama does yet live under the rule of an ordinary human race (of monarchs) is only evidence of Gautama’s kindness to kings. O Arjuna, it was here that in ancient times the mighty monarchs of Anga, Vanga and other countries, came to the abode of Gautama, and passed their days in joy and happiness. Look, O Paarthaa (Arjuna), those forests of delightful Pippalas (Botanical name Ficus religiosa) and beautiful Lodhraas (Botanical name Symplocos racemosa Roxb) standing near the side of Gautama’s abode. There dwelt in ancient days those snakes (Pannagaas in Sanskrit), Arbuda and Shakravaapi, those persecutors of all enemies, as also the Naagaa Swastika and that other excellent Naagaa called Mani. Mani himself had ordered the country of the Magadhas to be never pained with drought, and Kaushika and Manimaan also have favoured the country. Owning such a delightful and impregnable city, Jaraasandha is ever bent on seeking the fruition of his purposes unlike other monarchs. We shall, however, by slaying him today humble his pride.’

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Thus saying those brothers of abundant energy – He of the Vrishni race and the two Paandavaas entered the city of Magadha. They then approached towards the impregnable city of Girivraja that was full of cheerful and well-fed inhabitants belonging to all the four varnas, and where festivities (Utsava in Sanskrit) were perennial. Then, on arriving at the gate of the city, the brothers (instead of passing through it) began to pierce (with their arrows) the heart of the high Chaityaka peak (Chaityaka is the fifth and largest of the five mountains of Rajgir) that was worshipped by the race of Brihadratha, and also by the citizens and which delighted the hearts of all the Magadhas.

“There (at Chaityaka mountain) Brihadratha had slain a cannibal (Maashaa in Sanskrit) called Rishabha and having slain the monster (Maashaa in Sanskrit) made of his skin three drums (Bheri in Sanskrit) which he placed in his own city. Those drums were such that once beaten their sound lasted one full month. The brothers broke down the Chaityaka peak that was delightful to all the Magadhas, at that point where those drums covered with divine flowers used to yield their continuous sound. Desirous of slaying Jaraasandha, they seemed by that act of theirs to place their feet upon the head of their enemy. Attacking with their mighty arms that immovable, huge, high, old and celebrated peak always worshipped with perfumes and garlands, those heroes broke it down. With joyful hearts they then entered the city.

“It so happened that the learned Brahmanas residing within the city saw many evil omens which they reported to Jaraasandha. The Purohita making the king (Jaraasandha) mount an elephant whirled lighted pieces of materials (Paryagni in Sanskrit) about him. King Jaraasandha also, possessed of great prowess, with a view to warding of those evils, entered upon the celebration of a yagna, with proper vows (Vrata in Sanskrit) and fasts (Upavaasa in Sanskrit). Meanwhile, O Bharata (Janamejaya), the brothers unarmed, or rather with their bare arms as their only weapons, desirous of fighting with Jaraasandha, entered the capital in the guise of Snaataka Brahmanas. They saw the extraordinary beauty of the shops full of various edibles and garlands, and supplied with articles of every variety of various qualities that man can desire. Those best of men, (Sri) Krishna, Bhima, and Dhananjaya, seeing in those shops their affluence, passed along the public road (Veethi in Sanskrit). Filled with great strength they snatched forcibly from the flower-vendors the garlands they had exposed for sale. Attired in robes of various colours, decked in garlands and ear-rings, the heroes entered the abode of Jaraasandha possessed of great intelligence, like Himalayan lions eyeing cattle-folds. O king (Janamejaya), the arms of those warriors, covered with sandal paste, looked like the trunks of shala trees (Botanical name Shorea robusta). The people of Magadha, seeing those heroes looking like elephants, with necks broad like those of trees and wide chests, began to wonder much.

“Those bull among men, passing through three gates that were crowded with men, proudly and cheerfully approached the king. Jaraasandha rising up quickly received them with water to wash their feet with, honey and the other ingredients of the Arghya – with gifts of cows, and with other forms of respect. The great king (Jaraasandha) addressing them said, ‘Ye are welcome!’ O Janamejaya, both Paarthaa (Arjuna) and Bhima remained silent at this. Addressing the monarch, (Sri) Krishna said, ‘O king of kings these two are now in the observance of a vow (Vrata in Sanskrit). Therefore, they will not speak. They will remain silent till midnight. After that hour they will speak with you!’

“The king (Jaraasandha) then quartering his guests in the sacrificial apartments retired into his private chambers. When midnight arrived, the monarch arrived at the place where his guests attired as Brahmanas were. For, O King (Janamejaya), that ever victorious monarch (Jaraasandha) observed this vow which was known throughout the Worlds that as soon as he should hear of the arrival of Snaataka Brahmanas at his place, even if it be at midnight, he would immediately, O Bharata (Janamejaya), come out and grant them an audience. Looking the strange attire of his guests that best of kings (Jaraasandha) wondered much. For all that, however, he (Jaraasandha) waited on them respectfully. O you best of the Bharata race (Janamejaya), those bulls among men (Sri Krishna, Bhima and Arjuna), those slayers of all enemies, on the other hand, seeing king Jaraasandha, said, ‘Let Moksha be attained by you, O king, without difficulty.’

“O tiger among kings (Janamejaya), having said this to the monarch, they stood looking at each other. O king of kings, Jaraasandha then said to those Paandavaas and the Yaadava (Sri Krishna), all disguised as Brahmanas ‘Take your seats.’ Those bulls among men sat themselves down, and like the three priests of a great yagna blazed forth in their beauty. O you of the Kuru race (Janamejaya), king Jaraasandha firmly devoted to Satya, criticising the disguised guests, said to them, ‘It is well known to me that in the whole world Brahmanas in the observance of Snaataka vow (Vrata in Sanskrit) never deck their persons with garlands and fragrant paste unseasonably. Who are you, therefore, thus decked with flowers, and with hands bearing the marks of the bow-string? Attired in coloured robes and decked unseasonably with flowers and paste, you give me to understand that you are Brahmanas, although you bear Kshatriya energy. Tell me truly who you are. Truth decks kings (Satyam Raajasu Shobhate in Sanskrit). Breaking down the peak of the Chaityaka hill, why have you, in disguise, entered (the city) by an improper gate without fear of the royal anger? The energy (Veerya in Sanskrit) of a Brahmana dwells in his speech (not in act). This your feat is not suited to the order to which you claim to belong. Tell us therefore, the end you have in view. Arrived here by such an improper way, why not you accept the worship I offer? What is your motive for coming to me?’

“Thus, addressed by the king (Jaraasandha), the Mahatma (Sri) Krishna, well-skilled in speech, thus replied to the monarch in a calm and grave voice.

“(Sri) Krishna said, ‘O king (Jaraasandha), know us for Snaataka Brahmanas. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are all, O monarch, competent to observe the vow of Snaataka (Snaataka Vrata in Sanskrit). This vow, besides, has (many) especial and general rules. A Kshatriya observing this vow with especial rules always achieve prosperity. Therefore, have we decked ourselves with flowers. O king, again Kshatriyas exhibit their energy by their arms and not in speech. O son of Brihadratha (Jaraasandha), it is, therefore, that the speeches uttered by a Kshatriya are never heroic. O monarch, the Creator has planted His own energy in the aim of the Kshatriya. If you wish to see it, you shall certainly see it today. These are the rules of the ordinance – that an enemy’s house should be entered through a wrong gate and a friend’s abode through the right one. O monarch, know that this is also our eternal vow (Shaashvatam Vratam in Sanskrit) that having entered the enemy’s abode for the accomplishment of our purpose, we accept not the worship offered to us!’”