02.021
Pancharatra: The battle between Jarasandha and Bheema.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Adhokṣaja, the eloquent descendant of Yadu, firmly resolved for battle, spoke to King Jarāsandha. (2-21-1)
O king, among the three of us, to whom does your mind incline to fight? Let any one of us here be prepared; who will it be in battle? (2-21-2)
O king, thus addressed by Kṛṣṇa, the greatly resplendent Jarāsandha, king of Magadha, then chose to fight with Bhīmasena. (2-21-3)
The priest, carrying the chief medicines and remedies for pains, approached Jarāsandha, who was eager for battle. (2-21-4)
After performing auspicious rites, the wise and illustrious Jarāsandha, devoted to the duty of a kṣatriya, was yoked by the Brāhmaṇa. (2-21-5)
Jarāsandha took off his crown, wiped his hair, and rose up like an ocean crossing its shore. (2-21-6)
The wise king said to Bhīma, who was of terrible prowess: "O Bhīma, I will fight alongside you; by virtue, the boon has been won." (2-21-7)
Having said this, Jarāsandha, full of great energy and a destroyer of enemies, advanced towards Bhīmasena, just as the Asura Bali once advanced towards Indra. (2-21-8)
Then, after consulting with Kṛṣṇa and performing auspicious rites, the mighty Bhīmasena approached Jarāsandha, eager for battle. (2-21-9)
Then those two heroes, tigers among men, armed with weapons, joyfully approached each other, each eager for victory over the other. (2-21-10)
Then, from the striking of the arms and the acts of restraint and counter-restraint between those two, there arose a very terrible sound, like that of two mountains of thunderbolts. (2-21-11)
Both were exceedingly delighted and very strong, each desiring to surpass the other and seeking mutual victory. (2-21-12)
O king, after the people had been driven away, a terrible battle took place in the valley between the two mighty warriors, like the combat between Vṛtra and Indra. (2-21-13)
They pulled each other back and forth with repeated forceful tugs, and struck each other with their knees. (2-21-14)
Then, making a great noise and reproaching each other, they struck one another with blows resembling masses of stone. (2-21-15)
Both were broad-chested and long-armed, skilled in combat, and would be equally matched with their arms like iron clubs. (2-21-16)
But on the first day of the month of Kārttika, it began and went on without interruption, day and night, without any rest. (2-21-17)
That event was assembled by the great souls on the thirteenth day; but on the night of the fourteenth, the Māgadha withdrew due to fatigue. (2-21-18)
O king, seeing the king so exhausted, Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa) spoke to Bhīma of mighty deeds, as if to rouse him. (2-21-19)
O son of Kunti, an exhausted enemy is not easily subdued in battle; one who is being completely oppressed should rather give up his own life. (2-21-20)
Therefore, O son of Kunti, this king is not to be oppressed by you; fight equally with your arms, O best of the Bharatas. (2-21-21)
Thus, when addressed by Kṛṣṇa, the son of Pāṇḍu, destroyer of enemy heroes, having discerned that weakness of Jarāsandha, resolved upon his destruction. (2-21-22)
Then Vṛkodara, chief among the strong, excitedly seized the unconquered Jarāsandha in order to defeat him, O joy of the Kurus. (2-21-23)
