Chapter 19

“Krishna said,–some time after this, the great ascetic, the exaltedChandakausika, again came into the country of the Magadhas. Filled withjoy at the advent of the Rishi, king Vrihadratha, accompanied by hisministers and priest and wives and son, went out to receive him.

And, OBharata, worshipping the Rishi with water to wash his feet and face, andwith the offerings of Arghya the king then offered his whole kingdomalong with his son for the acceptance of the Rishi. The adorable Rishiaccepting that worship offered by the king, addressing the ruler ofMagadha, O monarch, said with well-pleased heart,–O king, I knew allthis by spiritual insight. But hear, O king of kings, what this son ofthine will be in future, as also what his beauty, excellence, strength,and valour will be. Without doubt this son of thine, growing inprosperity and endued with prowess, will obtain all these. Like otherbirds that can never imitate the speed of Vinata’s son (Garuda), theother monarchs of the earth will not be able to equal in energy this thyson, who will be endued with great valour. And all those that will standin his way will certainly be destroyed. Like the force of the currentthat can never make the slightest impression upon the rocky breast of amountain, weapons hurled at him even by the celestials will fail toproduce the least pain in him. He will blaze forth above the heads of allthat wear crowns on their brows. Like the sun that dims the lustre of allluminous bodies, this son of thine will rob all monarchs of theirsplendour. Even kings that are powerful and own large armies andnumberless vehicles and animals, upon approaching this son of thine, willall perish as insects upon fire. This child will seize the growingprosperity of all kings like the ocean receiving the rivers swollen withthe water of the rainy season. Like the huge earth that bears all kindsof produce, supporting things that are both good and evil, this childendued with great strength will support all the four orders of men. Andall the kings of the earth will live in obedience to the commands of thischild just as every creature endued with body live in dependence uponVayu that is dear as self unto beings. This prince of Magadha–themightiest of all men in the world–will behold with his physical eyes thegod of gods called Rudra or Hara, the slayer of Tripura. O thou slayer ofall foes, saying this, the Rishi, thinking of his own business, dismissedking Vrihadratha. The lord of the Magadhas then, re-entering his capital,and calling together his friends and relations, installed Jarasandha, onthe throne. King Vrihadratha then came to feel a great distaste forworldly pleasures. And after the installation of Jarasandha kingVrihadratha followed by his two wives became an inmate of an asceticasylum in the woods. And, O king, after his father and mothers hadretired into the woods, Jarasandha by his valour brought numerous kingsunder his sway.'”

“Vaisampayana continued,–‘King Vrihadratha, having lived for some timein the woods and practised ascetic penances, ascended to heaven at lastwith his wives. King Jarasandha, also, as uttered by Kausika, havingreceived those numerous boons ruled his kingdom like a father. Some timeafter when king Kansa was slain by Vasudeva, an enmity arose between himand Krishna. Then, O Bharata, the mighty king of Magadha from his city ofGirivraja, whirling a mace ninety-nine times, hurled it towards Mathura.At that time Krishna of wonderful deeds was residing at Mathura. Thehandsome mace hurled by Jarasandha fell near Mathura at a distance ofninety-nine yojanas from Gririvraja The citizens beholding thecircumstance well, went unto Krishna and informed him of the fall of themace. The place where the mace fell is adjacent to Mathura and is calledGadavasan. Jarasandha had two supporters called Hansa and Dimvaka, bothof whom were incapable of being slain by weapons. Well-conversant withthe science of politics and morality, in counsel they were the foremostof all intelligent men. I have already told thee everything about thatmighty pair. They two and Jarasandha, I believe, are more than a matchfor three worlds. O brave king, it was for this reason that the powerfulKukkura, Andhaka and Vrishni tribes, acting from motives of policy, didnot deem it proper to fight with him.’