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Jarasandha (Sanskrit: जरासंध), the king of Magadha, is a character of the epic Mahabharata. Son of Brihadratha, non-Vedic king.

Contents 1 Birth 2 Life 3 Death 4 References

Brihadratha was the king of Magadha. His wives were the twin princesses of Kashi. While he led a content life and was a famed king, he was unable to sire children. Frustrated over his inability, he retreated to the forest, eventually serving a rishi by the name of Chandakaushika. The rishi took pity upon him and on finding the cause of his sorrow, gave him a fruit that he blessed with fertility, instructing him to give it to his wife (The sage did not know that he had two). Not wishing to displease either wife, Brihadratha cut the fruit in half and gave it to both. Shortly after, each wife brought forth half a child. The two lifeless halves were viewed with horror, and Brihadratha ordered they be cast outside his city. A female witch man-eating demon (Rakshasi) named Jara picked them up and put them together to carry them off. On their coming in contact a boy was formed, who cried out aloud. Not having the heart to kill a living child, the demoness gave it up to the king, explaining what had happened. The father gave the boy the name Jarasandha after the witch, because he had been put together by Jara.

Chandakaushika arrived at the court, and seeing the child prophecied to Brihadratha that his son would be specially gifted, and would be renowned as a devotee of Lord Shiva.

Jarasandha became a famed and powerful king, extending his empire far and wide. He prevailed over many kings, and was crowned emperor of Magadha. He developed an intense hatred for Krishna, who had killed Kamsa, the husband of two of Jarasandha's daughters. He besieged Mathura, and attacked Krishna eighteen times, and was as often defeated; but Krishna was so weakened that he retired to Dwaraka.

Jarasandha had many kings in captivity, and when Krishna returned from Dwaranka, he, with Bhima and Arjuna, went to Jarasandha's capital for the purpose of slaying their enemy and liberating the kings. They went in disguise of three Brahmins and told Jarasandha to choose one of them to fight with. Jarasandha chose Bheema. Jarasandha refused to release the kings, and accepted the alternative of a combat, in which he was killed by Bhima. The fight lasted long, for 27 days. Finally, on Krishna's suggestion, Bhima tore apart Jarasandha in two pieces lengthwise and threw away the pieces in opposite directions.

• Gibbs,Laura. Ph.D. Jarasandha Modern Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics.
• Dowson, John (1820-1881). A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature. London: Trübner, 1879 [Reprint, London: Routledge, 1979]. ISBN 0-415-24521-4
• Original Mahabharata by Shri Ved Vyasa
• Gita press,Gorakhpur edition of Mahabharata
• Ramanand Sagar's "SHRI KRISHNA" serial
• MRITYUNJAY-the story of Karna.

The Mahabharata by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
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