Krsna and Jarasandha

Summary

This article examines the legends surrounding Jarāsandha, the powerful Magadha king, and his conflict with Kṛṣṇa as narrated in the Mahābhārata and Purāṇas. It recounts Jarāsandha’s birth story—born as two halves joined by an ogress named Jarā—and his ambition to avenge his son-in-law Kamsa’s death by attacking Mathurā. Jarāsandha is said to have besieged Mathurā seventeen times, prompting Kṛṣṇa to relocate the Yādava capital from Mathurā to Dvārakā. Despite repeated assaults, Jarāsandha failed to capture Kṛṣṇa. Later, to secure the Rajasuya sacrifice for Yudhiṣṭhira, the Pāṇḍavas had to eliminate Jarāsandha, who had imprisoned many princes for human sacrifice. Kṛṣṇa, Bhīma and Arjuna travelled to Magadha disguised as Brahmins; Kṛṣṇa challenged Jarāsandha to single combat and nominated Bhīma as his champion. After a long wrestling match, Kṛṣṇa signalled Bhīma to tear Jarāsandha apart by pulling his legs in opposite directions, thus reversing the manner of his birth. The article interprets these stories symbolically, suggesting that Jarāsandha may represent a confederacy of kings hostile to the Yādavas and Pāṇḍavas. It notes variations in different sources: the Bhāgavata Purāṇa describes Jarāsandha’s repeated defeats, while the Viṣṇu Purāṇa emphasises Kṛṣṇa’s strategic withdrawal to Dvārakā. The author also discusses Jarāsandha’s relationship with Rukmi and his role in the larger political landscape leading to the Kurukṣetra war. The narrative illustrates themes of divine strategy, dharma and the use of intelligence over brute force.