The trio of Krishna, Arjun and Bhim, set out for Magadha on their mission to eliminate Jarasandha dressed as Snataka (graduate) Brahmins. Leaving Indraprastha they passed through Kuru-jangala (forest) with the charming lake of lotuses. Then they crossed the hills of Kalakuta and the rivers Gandaki, Karatoya, Sarkaravarta and Sarayu to enter the country of Eastern Kosala. Passing over that country they went to Mithila and then after crossing the rivers Mala and Charamanwati, the three heroes crossed the mighty Ganga and the Sone and proceeded further towards the east. At last they reached the great city of Magadh in the heart of Kushamva country. From the top of the hill Goratha, they could view the city which was rich with wealth, cattle and water with the innumerable trees standing there.
The great capital of Magadh was not only beautiful and plentiful. There were fine mansions too standing in the city which was free from every kind of calamity. It was protected by the five hills of Vaihara, Varaha, Vrishava, Rishigiri, and Chaitya, all connected with one another. By the boon of Manu, the country of Magadh was never afflicted with drought.
Owning such a delightful and impregnable city, Jarasandha was ever bent on seeking the fruition of his purposes unlike other monarchs. However, his fate seemed to have invited the three who brought his death sentence along with them.
They then approached towards the impregnable city also known as Girivraja (nestled by hills). On arriving at the gate of the city, instead of passing through it they began to pierce the high Chaityaka peak with shafts to break it down. This was a statement of defiance from them as it was both a shrine and matter of pride for the city and its ruler.
As they set feet inside the city, the learned priests in the city found many ill omens occurring and this was duly reported to the king Jarasandha. Unarmed, they entered the capital in the guise of Brahmins.
As they passed through the crowded streets, the people looked at them with wonder at their personality, not knowing who they were. As they reached the palace, Jarasandha rose up in haste and received them by washing their feet with water, not knowing who they were and unaware of their intentions. Both Arjun and Bhim remained silent during this ritual. Krishna explained their silence saying – “O king, these two are observing a vow and therefore won’t speak till midnight.”
Jarasandh was intrigued about their identity as he guessed that they were not ordinary Brahmins. However, he put them up with due courtesy and at midnight, he visited them. On his respectful address, without returning a blessing, they answered with the cryptic comment – “'Let salvation be attained by you, O king, without difficulty.”
Jarasandha requested them to be seated and then asked – “I know it very well that nowhere does the Snataka Brahmins decorate themselves with garlands and fragrant sandal paste. Your hands bear the marks of the bow-string. You look like Kshatriya warriors. You have entered the city improperly and also not accepted my worship befitting a Brahmin. Tell me truly who you are and what is your motive?”
Krishna replied – “O King, we are indeed Kshatriyas in the guise of Brahmins. We have followed the rules of engagement which says that an enemy's abode should be entered through a wrong gate and a friend's abode through the right one. And we have also vowed that after entering the enemy’s house we can’t accept worship offered to us before accomplishing our mission. “
Jarasandha was surprised but said –"I do not recollect if I ever acted injuriously towards you. So, it seems that your enmity with me is misplaced.”
To this Krishna answered- “We are agents of a powerful king who has decided that the Kshatriya princes captivated by you be released. Our desire is to end your misrule and achieve the purpose. We stand with the distressed people. I am Krishna and with me are the two mighty Pandavas, Bhim and Arjun. O king of Magadha, we challenge you. Fight standing before us. Either set free all the monarchs, or meet your destiny.”
Hearing this Jarasandha said--'None of the kings have been made captive without a fight, they have been defeated by me and hence my slaves. I have gathered these kings with the intention of offering them as sacrifices to propitiate my lord Rudra. How can you expect me to release them by threatening me? With troops against troops meeting face to face in a battle, or alone against one, or against two, or against three, at the same time or separately, I am ready to fight."
This was already visualised by Krishna and his plan succeeded up to this point. Jarasandha was instigated to fight and expectedly picked up Bhim as his adversary addressing him -: I will fight with you. It is better to be vanquished by a superior person.”
The fiery contest started in right earnest as a fight for prestige till death , They were like two tigers fighting, each with the power of an elephant. The two strong men of great physical prowess, attacked each other with their bare arms as their only weapons engaging each other in a game of death. The citizens came in thousands to witness the deadly duel and even women and the aged were part of the crowd.
The sound the wrestlers made by the slapping of their arms, the seizing of each other's necks to bring each other down, and the grasping of each other's legs to dash each other to the ground, became so loud that it resembled the roar of thunder or of falling cliffs. The encounter commenced on the first (lunar) day of the month of Kartick (September-October) and went on for a fortnight without intermission and food, day and night. It was on the fourteenth of the lunar fortnight that Jarasandha started feeling the fatigue.
Noticing this the clever Krishna indicated this to Bhim by shouting mockingly – “O Bhim, a fatigued foe should not be pressed too much as he may die as a result of it. Please spare the King.”
Bhim got the hint and decided to take advantage of the weakness of his opponent and kill him. He lifted up the powerful Jarasandha and began to whirl him over his head. Then after whirling him a hundred times, Bhim pressed his knee against Jarasandha's backbone and broke his body in two parts, just as he was born. The mighty roar of Bhim and the deathly throes of Jarasandha combined to form a terrible sound that shook the Earth itself, causing a havoc of sorts.
Leaving the lifeless body of the king at the palace gate, Bhim went out of the town. Krishna ordered for Jarasandha’s car to be adorned and made the two brothers ride it while driving it himself for everybody to have a glimpse of them. Then he released the imprisoned kings and relatives. They were most grateful to the three heroes and ready to be commanded by them for anything. Krishna assuaged them and only requested for their help in the Rajasuya Yagna to be performed by Yudhishthir.
Installing Sahadeva, the son of Jarasandha on the throne, the three left Magadh, laden with numerous gifts and jewels which they presented to Yudhishthir on their return to Indraprastha.
#TALESFROMMAHABHARAT
No comments:
Post a Comment