p335 _
-chap- _
toc-1 _
p336w _
toc-2 _
+chap+ _
p337
----- bhagap336.html
to be their cousin Krishna, thy enemy." The king of Afagadha broke
out in loud laughter. In anger he then exclaimed: "O fools, I will
give you a fight then. But thou art a coward. Thou didst run away
from Mathura and didst take shelter in the sea. This Arjuna is not
my equal in age. He is not very strong. He is unlike me in his
body. So he cannot be my rival. This Bhima is my match in
strength." So saying he gave one club to Bhima and took one him-
self. The two heroes fought outside the town. The fight was a
drawn one. Krishna knew about the birth, death and life of Jarasandha.
He thought in his mind about the joining together by the Rakshasa
woman Jara. (The legend is that Jarasandha was born, divided in two
halves, which were put together by the Rakshasa woman Jara.)
Krishna took a branch in his hand and tore it asunder. Bhima took
the hint. He put his foot on one of the legs of Jarasandha and took
the other in his hand and tore asunder the body in two equal parts.
Krishna placed Sahadeva, the son of Jarasandha, on the throne
of Magadha, He then liberated the kings who had been imprisoned
by Jarasandha. They were twenty thousand and eight hundred in
number. They saw Krishna with four hands and with all the divine
attributes. Their eyes, tongues and noses all fed upon him, as it
were, and their hands were stretched forth to receive him. They all
fell at the feet of Krishna and began to adore him.
"We do not blame the king of Magadha. O Lord, it is by
Thy favor, that kings are deprived of their thrones. Humbled, we
remember Thy feet. We do not long for any kingdom in this life,
nor do we care for the fruits of good works after death. Tell us that
which will keep the recollection of Thy feet ever fresh in this life."
Sri Krishna replied:
"
"From this day forward let your devotion towards me, the Lord
of all, be made firm and fixed. Your resolve is commendable. It is
true as you say that riches and power turn the heads of princes.
Look at Haihaya, Nahusha Vena, Ravana, Naraka and others.
Though kings of Devas, Daityas and men, they came down from
their lofty position through pride. Knoxving as you do that the body
and all other things that have a beginning have also an end, you
should worship me, perform sacrifices and duly protect your subjects.
Indifferent to good and bad things alike, fix your minds completely
on me and you shall attain me in the end."
Krishna made arrangements for their comfort. At his bidding,
Sahadeva supplied them with kingly dresses and valuable ornaments
[[336]]
p335 _
-chap- _
toc-1 _
p336w _
toc-2 _
+chap+ _
p337
v?