02.022
Pancharatra: Killing Jarasandha, Krishna sets free the imprisoned kings.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Bhīmasena, having assumed great intelligence with the intention of destroying Jarāsandha, spoke to Kṛṣṇa, O descendant of Yadu. (2-22-1)
O Kṛṣṇa, I am not the sinful one who would comply in this way. O tiger among the Yadus, my life is bound with a garment at the loins. (2-22-2)
When these words were spoken, Kṛṣṇa, the tiger among men, urged Vṛkodara with the desire to slay Jarāsandha. (2-22-3)
O Bhīma, whatever supreme divine strength you possess, and whatever power of the Wind-god is in you, display that quickly today for us in Jarāsandha. (2-22-4)
Thus addressed, Bhima, the destroyer of enemies, then lifted up Jarasandha and, O king, the mighty Bhima whirled the strong Jarasandha around. (2-22-5)
O mighty Bharata, having whirled it a hundred times with his arms, he broke it on his back, contracting and crushing it, and then he roared. (2-22-6)
As he was being crushed and the Pāṇḍava roared, a tumultuous sound arose, terrifying to all beings. (2-22-7)
All the Māgadhas were terrified, and the fetuses of all the women miscarried due to the sound of Bhīmasena and Jarāsandha. (2-22-8)
"What is that? Has something intelligent been broken? Is the earth being torn apart?" Thus the Magadhas wondered, hearing the sound of Bhīmasena. (2-22-9)
Then, at the gate of the royal palace, the subduers of enemies, having left their swords at night, departed, leaving the king as if asleep. (2-22-10)
Kṛṣṇa yoked Jarasandha's chariot, which bore a banner, placed the two brothers upon it, and set their relatives free. (2-22-11)
The kings, lords of the earth, having approached Kṛṣṇa, the jewel-armed and worthy of jewels, were freed from great fear. (2-22-12)
Unwounded and armed, the conqueror of enemies, together with the kings, mounted that divine chariot and departed from Girivraja. (2-22-13)
He who is called the brother of the same mother, the two-warrior whose charioteer is Kṛṣṇa, destroyer of repeated attacks, visible, and unconquerable by all kings. (2-22-14)
With Bhīma and Arjuna, the two warriors, mounted and Kṛṣṇa as their charioteer, that excellent and invincible chariot shone among all bowmen. (2-22-15)
Indra and Viṣṇu indeed moved in the battle with Tāraka. Then Kṛṣṇa, having mounted him on that chariot, went. (2-22-16)
Adorned with a chain of small bells resembling heated gold, resounding like the roar of clouds, and victorious, the destroyer of enemies. (2-22-17)
Those foremost among men rejoiced upon obtaining the chariot by which Indra had slain ninety-nine Dānavas. (2-22-18)
Then, seeing Kṛṣṇa, the mighty-armed, together with his brothers, standing on the chariot, the Magadhas were astonished. (2-22-19)
O Bhārata, the chariot, yoked with divine horses and as swift as the wind, mounted by Kṛṣṇa, shone exceedingly. (2-22-20)
On that excellent chariot, there was an unattached, divinely ordained banner, splendid and radiant like Indra's bow, which could be seen from a yojana away. (2-22-21)
Kṛṣṇa then thought of Garutmant (Garuḍa); he too approached. In that moment, by him, he became like a sacrificial post, raised high, as if (it were so). (2-22-22)
Garuda, the devourer of serpents, together with beings with wide-open mouths and great roars, and with banner-holders, stood on that excellent chariot. (2-22-23)
He shone with brilliance surpassing that of all beings, difficult for anyone to look at, like the midday sun surrounded by a thousand rays. (2-22-24)
He does not attach to trees, nor is he injured by weapons; O king, the splendid divine banner is visible to gods and men. (2-22-25)
Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa), the tiger among men, mounted him on the divine chariot, which resounded like a cloud, and set out together with the two Pāṇḍavas. (2-22-26)
The king Vasu obtained him from Vāsava; from Vasu came Bṛhadratha, and from Bṛhadratha, in due succession, the kingship reached Bārhadratha. (2-22-27)
Then he, the mighty-armed and lotus-eyed, departed from Girivraja and stood outside in a level place, renowned for his great fame. (2-22-28)
Thereupon, O king, all the citizens, headed by Brāhmaṇas, approached him with honor, performing acts as prescribed by rule. (2-22-29)
The kings, having been completely freed from bondage, worshipped Madhusudana and, first offering conciliatory words, spoke as follows. (2-22-30)
O mighty-armed son of Devakī, it is not at all surprising that you, endowed with the strength of Bhīma and Arjuna, uphold dharma. (2-22-31)
Today, you have accomplished the complete rescue of the kings who were sinking in the dreadful lake of Jarāsandha, in the mire of suffering. (2-22-32)
O Viṣṇu, in this dreadful mountain fortress where all have gathered, by good fortune you have attained the brilliant liberation and supreme glory, O best of men. (2-22-33)
What should we do, O best of men? Please tell us, O foremost among men. Whatever is accomplished by kings, even if difficult, should be considered as done. (2-22-34)
Hṛṣīkeśa, the great-minded, consoled them and said: "Yudhiṣṭhira wishes to perform the Rājasūya sacrifice." (2-22-35)
He, who is engaged in dharma and desires to accomplish kingship, let assistance for the sake of the sacrifice be given by all of you. (2-22-36)
Then, O best of the Bharatas, those kings, their minds convinced, all said 'So be it' and accepted that statement. (2-22-37)
The lords of the earth made the jewel-bearer and the Daśārha (Kṛṣṇa) their own. Out of compassion for them, Govinda accepted (the burden) from their difficulty. (2-22-38)
The son of Jarasandha, Sahadeva, the great chariot-warrior, set out accompanied by his people and ministers, with the priest leading the way. (2-22-39)
Sahadeva, humbly and respectfully, with many jewels in front, approached Lord Vasudeva, the god among men. (2-22-40)
Then Kṛṣṇa, having granted fearlessness to the one afflicted by fear, anointed the son of Jarāsandha right there. (2-22-41)
Having achieved unity and being honored by Kṛṣṇa and the two sons of Pṛthā, the wise king once again entered the city of the Barhadrathas. (2-22-42)
But Kṛṣṇa, together with the two sons of Pṛthā, shining with supreme splendour, took many jewels and departed, the lotus-eyed one. (2-22-43)
Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa), accompanied by the two Pāṇḍavas, came to Indraprastha. Meeting Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira), he addressed him with pleasure. (2-22-44)
By good fortune, Bhīma has slain the mighty Jarāsandha. These kings have been freed from captivity, O best of kings. (2-22-45)
O Bhārata, by good fortune, these two, Bhīmasena and Dhanañjaya, have safely returned once again to their own city unharmed. (2-22-46)
Then Yudhishthira, after duly worshipping Krishna, joyfully embraced Bhimasena and Arjuna. (2-22-47)
Then, after Jarāsandha was slain and victory was achieved by the two brothers, Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira) rejoiced together with his brothers. (2-22-48)
The son of Pāṇḍu, having assembled with the kings according to their age, honored and worshipped them, and then dismissed the rulers of men. (2-22-49)
With Yudhishthira's permission, the delighted kings quickly departed from there to their own lands, traveling in vehicles of every kind, both grand and humble. (2-22-50)
Thus, Janārdana, the tiger among men and of great intellect, caused the enemy Jarāsandha to be slain by the Pāṇḍavas at that time. (2-22-51)
O Bhārata, having slain Jarāsandha through strategy, the subduer of enemies, after obtaining permission from Dharmarāja, Pṛthā, and Kṛṣṇā. (2-22-52)
He addressed Subhadrā, Bhīmasena, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, as well as Dhaumya, and then departed for his own city. (2-22-53)
By that very foremost chariot, shining like the young sun, sent forth by Dharmarāja, the divine one made the quarters echo. (2-22-54)
Then, O best of the Bharatas, the Pāṇḍavas led by Yudhiṣṭhira circumambulated Kṛṣṇa, the performer of effortless deeds. (2-22-55)
Then, when the divine Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī, had departed, having achieved a great victory, the kings at that time granted fearlessness. (2-22-56)
O Bhārata, by that action, the Pāṇḍavas, whose strength had grown, further increased Draupadī's supreme happiness, O king. (2-22-57)
At that time, whatever was in accordance with dharma, desire, and wealth, the king, acting righteously, performed, being renowned for his protection of the kingdom. (2-22-58)
