THE SLAYING OF JARASANDHA

The surprised rakshasi did not wish to kill the child. She took on the guise of a beautiful woman and, going to the king, presented the child to him saying: "This is your child."

The king was immensely delighted and handed it over to his two wives. This child became known as Jarasandha. He grew up in to a man of immense physical strength, but his body had one weakness namely, that being made up by the fusion of two separate parts, it could be split again into two, if sufficient force were used.

This interesting story embodies the impor- tant truth that two sundered parts joined together will still remain weak, with a tendency to split.When the conquest and slaying of Jarasandha had been resolved upon, Sri Krishna said: "Hamsa,Hidimbaka, Kamsa and otherallies of Jarasandha are no more; and now that he is isolated, this is the right time to kill him.

It is useless to fight with armies. He must be provoked to a single combat and slain."

According to the code of honour of those days, a kshatriya had to accept the challenge to a duel-whether with or without weapons.

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]