All
the kshatriyas--including the redoubt able Sisupala himself-are afraid of his prowess and
are sub missive to him. Have you not heard of the wicked Kamsa, the son of Ugrasena? After
he had become the son-in-law and ally of Jarasandha my people and I attacked Jarasandha.
After three years of continuous fighting we had
to acknowledge defeat and we left Mathura and moved to Dwaraka in the west, and built a
new city where we are living in peace and plenty.
Even if Duryodhana, Karna and others do not
object to your assuming the title of emperor, Jarasandha will certainly oppose it, and the
only way to overcome his opposition is to defeat and kill him. You can then not only
perform the Rajasuya but also rescue and win the adherence of the kings who languish in
his prisons."
At these words of Krishna, Yudhishthira said:
"I agree. I am but one of the many kings who rule their kingdoms with fairness and
justice and lead happy unambitious lives. It is mere vanity and vainglory to desire to
become an emperor. Whyshould not a king rest satisfied with his own kingdom? |