02.016
Pancharatra: Jarasanda’s two halves united by Jara
Vāsudeva said.
The mind that is united, which belongs to one born in the Bharata lineage and is the son of Kunti, has indeed been demonstrated by Arjuna. (2-16-1)
We do not know the time of death, whether it is at night or during the day. Nor have we ever heard of anyone attaining immortality without engaging in battle. (2-16-2)
Men should only do that which pleases the heart, approaching others by policy as prescribed by rule. (2-16-3)
Among the wise and the blameless, in conflict, the highest order prevails. When there is equality, doubt arises; and equality would not exist between the two. (2-16-4)
Having adopted a strategy, we approach the enemy's body. How could we not reach the end, like streams reach the root of a tree? We have advanced into the enemy's breach, while standing guard over our own. (2-16-5)
It is the policy of the wise not to approach a stronger enemy with arrayed armies and supporting forces; this policy also pleases me here. (2-16-6)
Indeed, being blameless and unnoticed, having entered that enemy's house and approached his body, we may obtain our desire. (2-16-7)
O best of men, only one always bears prosperity; just as the inner self is for beings, so too, when that is destroyed, there is indeed a loss of strength. (2-16-8)
Now, if, having slain him in battle and joined with the remaining ones, we may then attain heaven, being devoted to the protection of our relatives. (2-16-9)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Kṛṣṇa, who is this Jarāsandha? What is his valor, what is his prowess, that, having touched you—who are like fire—he was not burnt, like a moth? (2-16-10)
Kṛṣṇa said.
Hear, O king, of the strength and valor of Jarāsandha, and how he, having done much harm, has often been disregarded by us. (2-16-11)
There was a king named Bṛhadratha, lord of Magadha, proud in battle, who commanded three akṣauhiṇīs. (2-16-12)
He is handsome, strong, fortunate, and of incomparable valor; always emaciated by consecration, he is like another Indra. (2-16-13)
He was as radiant as the sun, as patient as the earth, as fearsome as Yamāntaka when angry, and as wealthy as Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera). (2-16-14)
O best of the Bharatas, the entire earth is pervaded by his noble birth and qualities, just as it is by the rays of the sun. (2-16-15)
He, the foremost of the Bharatas, married the daughter of the king of Kāśi, who was born of Yama, a woman of great beauty and wealth, and himself a man of great prowess. (2-16-16)
He, the foremost among men, made a mutual agreement between the two, declaring in the presence of his wives, 'I will not transgress in this way.' (2-16-17)
The king, lord of men, shone with his two wives, just as an elephant shines with two suitable and beloved female elephants. (2-16-18)
The king, positioned between the two rivers, shone brilliantly, appearing like the very ocean incarnate between the Gaṅgā and Yamunā. (2-16-19)
Absorbed in sense pleasures, his youth slipped away, and he had no son to continue his lineage. (2-16-20)
Despite performing many auspicious rites, oblations, and sacrifices by those desiring sons, the best of kings did not obtain a son who would increase his lineage. (2-16-21)
Then the son of Kākṣīvata, the great-souled Gautama, heard of Caṇḍakauśika, who was noble and exhausted from his austerities. (2-16-22)
By chance, the king, accompanied by his two wives, satisfied him who had taken shelter at the base of a tree with all kinds of jewels. (2-16-23)
Satyadhṛti, the truthful and foremost among sages, said to him: "O king, I am fully pleased with you. O virtuous one, ask for a boon." (2-16-24)
Then Bṛhadratha, together with his wife, bowed and said to him, his speech choked with tears due to the despair of seeing his son. (2-16-25)
Bṛhadratha said.
O revered one, having given up the kingdom, I have set out for the forest of austerities. Of what use is a boon to one of little fortune? Of what use is a kingdom to me who has no offspring? (2-16-26)
Kṛṣṇa said.
Hearing this, the sage, whose senses were agitated, entered meditation and sat down in the shade of that very mango tree. (2-16-27)
As the sage sat, a single eighth mango fruit, blown by the wind from the branch, indeed fell into his lap. (2-16-28)
Having taken that, the best among sages, after consecrating it with his heart and mantras, gave to the king the incomparable object that would cause the obtaining of a son. (2-16-29)
The great sage, full of wisdom, said to the king: "Go, O king, your purpose is accomplished; return, O lord of men." (2-16-30)
O bull among the Bharatas, having understood the proper time, the best among kings then gave one fruit to his two wives. (2-16-31)
They split that mango in two and both ate it, O auspicious one. Because the meaning was realized, and due to the sage's truthful words, it happened thus. (2-16-32)
When an embryo arose in both of them as a result of eating the fruit, and when the king saw them, he experienced supreme joy. (2-16-33)
Then, O greatly wise one, when the proper time arrived, both were born, O king, in the two parts of the body. (2-16-34)
When they saw the body, which had one eye, arm, and leg, half a belly, a mouth, and buttocks, lying in pieces, both of them trembled greatly. (2-16-35)
Agitated and greatly distressed, those sisters, after consulting together, O weak one, when he had departed with life still in the body, were deeply grieved. (2-16-36)
The two nursemaids, after carefully wrapping the children during the confusion of the births, quickly left them at the door of the inner apartment and departed at once. (2-16-37)
Then, the rākṣasī named Jarā, who feeds on flesh and blood, seized the tiger among men who had been cast at the crossroads. (2-16-38)
But the demoness, desiring to act, who brought happiness, crushed (it) into pieces at that time, impelled by the power of fate. (2-16-39)
O bull among men, when those pieces were brought together in the proper measure, the heroic boy assumed a single form. (2-16-40)
Then, O king, the demoness, her eyes wide with astonishment, could not lift the child who was made of adamantine strength. (2-16-41)
The boy, making a fist with the copper plate and putting it in his mouth, cried out in great agitation, like a raincloud full of water. (2-16-42)
O scorcher of foes, by that sound, the people in the inner apartments, agitated, suddenly came out together with the king. (2-16-43)
Those women, weak and utterly exhausted, with breasts full of milk, having lost hope of obtaining a son, suddenly approached. (2-16-44)
Then, seeing the king in such a condition and the ongoing activity, and observing that strong boy, the demoness began to ponder. (2-16-45)
I am not worthy, living in the king's domain and desiring his son, to take away the child, just as a streak of cloud cannot take away the sun. (2-16-46)
She assumed a human form and said to the king: "Bṛhadratha, accept this son of yours, who has been given by me." (2-16-47)
By the command of the foremost of the twice-born, this child was born to your two wives. Abandoned by the nurse, I have protected him. (2-16-48)
Then, O best of the Bharatas, O daughter of the king of Kāśi, O auspicious one, they quickly approached the boy and anointed him with sacred waters. (2-16-49)
Then the king, delighted after perceiving everything, asked the new golden-hued demoness, that rākṣasī. (2-16-50)
Who are you, O lotus-wombed one, giver of a son to me? Out of desire, speak, O auspicious goddess, you appear before me. (2-16-51)
