Bhima and Jarasandha

In the Mahabharata, Bhima is known for his strength and power. He can tear apart mountains with his bare hands and carry an entire mountain on his shoulders. One of his most famous battles was against Jarasandha, the king of Magadha. Jarasandha had conquered every kingdom in eastern India and had taken many kings as prisoners, whom he kept in iron cages. Lord Krishna wanted to free these people, so they decided to take the help of Pandavas to fight Jarasandha and defeat him. 

This excerpt from the greatest epic Mahabharata can help children learn about Bhima’s strength and Krishna’s diplomacy. Kids can also learn that when evil takes over, one has to fight to retain the good. 

Summary of the Bhima and Jarasandha Yudh Story

Jarasandha, king of Magadha and enemy of the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata epic, was descended from King Brihadratha.

King Brihadratha, King of Magadha and the twin princesses of Kashi could not have children. After leaving his wives and kingdom behind in frustration, he retreated into the forest, where he performed severe austerities under rishi Chandakaushika's tutelage.

The rishi felt pity for the king, who was suffering from his two wives' rivalry. The sage gave him a fruit he blessed and instructed Brihadratha to give it to both queens so they could have children. But not wanting either woman to feel neglected by him, the king cut this fruit in half and gave each queen one piece.

Brihadratha's wives became pregnant soon after they ate the apple, and each gave birth to a half-formed child. The two lifeless bodies disgusted Brihadratha so much that he ordered them to be cast out of his kingdom. A witch named Jara found the infants and put them together. Their hearts began beating once again when she did this. The demoness gave the child to the king and explained what had happened. The man named his son Jarasandha for two reasons: Jara had put him together.

When Chandakaushika arrived at the court and saw Brihadratha's son, he predicted that this child would grow up as a great Shiva devotee. Jarasandha became famous for uniting many kings under his empire in Magadha. Jarasandha's power continued to grow, but he had concerns about his future because he lacked heirs.

Jarasandha decided to marry off his two daughters, Asti and Prapti, to the Crown Prince of Mathura. Jarasandha also lent Kansa a portion of his army and the post of personal advisor for overthrowing Ugratattva in Mathura.

After Lord Krishna killed Kansa, his father-in-law Jarasandha swore revenge. He mobilised an army to fight against Mathura and capture its throne. But his efforts failed in response to the recently crowned King Ugrasena, supported by Vasudeva, the chief military strategist Akroor, and Lord Krishna and Balarama.

Jarasandha's attacks on Mathura failed repeatedly. But he attacked the city no fewer than 18 times. This incident was famously known as Krishna Jarasandha yudh. 

After his last attempt to conquer it, Krishna made sure that King Ugrasena and Crown Prince Vasudeva agreed to rescind their claim on the land by establishing a new Kingdom at Dwaraka: for strategic reasons.

Jarasandha had many kings captive, but when Krishna returned from Dwaraka, he went to Jarasandha's capital with Bhima and Arjuna to kill their enemy since Jarasandha was perceived to be a king who would not consent to Yudhisthira becoming the Emperor by performing Rajasuya and liberating other kings.

Disguised as Brahmins, they approached Jarasandha and asked him to choose one of them in a duel. He chose Bheema. Refusing to release the kings, he accepted this challenge and was killed by Bhima.

Jarasandha and Bhima battled for 27 days before Krishna suggested that Bhim break his opponent in half. Bhima tore Jarasandha's body into two pieces and threw each in the opposite direction. After Jarasandha's death, Lord Krishna freed the imprisoned kings and put his son on the throne of Magadha to ally with Indraprastha.

Bhima tearing Jarasandha into two

Moral of the Bhima and Jarasandha Yudh Story

This story about Bhima and Jarasandha's fight in Mahabharata helps children to understand the relationship between the Pandavas and Lord Krishna. This story about Bhima and Jarasandha yudh can help kids learn that defeating evil is essential to preserve the good in the world. Kids can also get a clear idea about Bhima’s physical strength in the story.

Note to the Parents

Parents can read this excerpt to their children to help them understand the significance of the Bhima and Jarasandha battle, why it happened and what is the ending of the battle. Reading can help kids realise that overpowering evil with goodness is possible and one can do it with a determined mind.