Indian Myth and LegendMackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
History
Indian Myth and Legend
Mackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
Hindu mythology; Legends -- India
Jarasandha said: “I have never done you an injury. Why, therefore, do
ye regard me as your enemy?”
Then Krishna revealed himself, and upbraided the king because that he
was wont to offer up in sacrifice to Shiva the rajahs whom he took
captive in battle. He said: “Thou hast slaughtered our kinsmen in this
manner because thou dost imagine there liveth no man who is so powerful
as thou. For thy sins thou art doomed to go to Yama's kingdom, there
to be tortured a time. But thou canst attain to the Heaven of Indra
by dying the death of a Kshatriya in battle with thy peers. Now, O
king, we challenge thee to combat. Set free the rajahs who are in thy
dungeons, or die at our hands!”
Said the king: “I have taken captive in battle these royal prisoners
of mine, whom I shall offer in sacrifice to Shiva, according to my
vow. Let us therefore meet in battle, army against army, or in single
combat.”
Krishna said: “Meet thou one of us in single combat. With whom dost
thou desire to fight?”
Then Jarasandha expressed his wish to meet Bhima in battle. Bhima was
made glad thereat, for, in truth, he thirsted for the conflict; but he
desired that they should fight without weapons, and the king consented,
and made ready for the fray.
Now Jarasandha was of lofty stature and great strength, and he fought
so fiercely that the combat lasted for thirteen days in presence of
great multitudes of the people. In the end the king was swung aloft,
and his back was broken over Bhima's knee. Then a mighty tumult arose,
which caused all who were there to quake with fear, for the roar of the
Pandavas mingled with the shrieks of Jarasandha ere death silenced him.
Krishna went boldly into the palace and set free all the rajahs who
were in captivity. And one by one they took vows to attend the Imperial
sacrifice. Then Krishna received Sahadeva, son of Jarasandha, and
installed him as Rajah of Magadha.
When the great Yudhishthira came to know that Jarasandha had been
slain, he sent forth his four brethren with great armies to collect
tribute from every rajah in the world.[255] Some there were among the
kings who welcomed them; others had to be conquered in battle. But when
they had sworn allegiance to Yudhishthira, they joined the Pandava
force and assisted in achieving further victories. A whole year went
past ere the brethren returned again unto Indra-prastha.
[255] That is, in Northern India.
Krishna came from Dwaraka to aid Yudhishthira at the ceremony, and he
brought with him much wealth and a mighty army.
Stately pavilions were erected for the kings who came to attend the
great sacrifice: their turrets were high, and they were swan-white and
flecked with radiant gold. Silver and gold adorned the walls of the
rooms, which were richly perfumed and carpeted and furnished to befit
the royal guests.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account