Sabhāparva - Chapter-4

 

सभापर्व - Sabhāparva

अध्यायः – 4  ::Chapter-4

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
जरासन्ध उवाच॥ न स्मरेयं कदा वैरं कृतं युष्माभिरित्युत । चिन्तयंश्च न पश्यामि भवतां प्रति वैकृतम् ॥ 1॥ वैकृते चासति कथं मन्यध्वं मामनागसम् । अरिं विब्रूत तद्विप्राः सतां समय एष हि ॥ 2॥ अथ धर्मोपघाताद्धि मनः समुपतप्यते । योऽनागसि प्रसृजति क्षत्रियोऽपि न संशयः ॥ 3॥ अतोऽन्यथाचरँल्लोके धर्मज्ञः सन्महाव्रतः । वृजिनां गतिमाप्नोति श्रेयसोऽप्युपहन्ति च ॥ 4॥ त्रैलोक्ये क्षत्रधर्माद्धि श्रेयांसं साधुचारिणाम् । अनागसं प्रजानानाः प्रमादादिव जल्पथ ॥ 5॥ वासुदेव उवाच॥ कुलकार्यं महाराज कश्चिदेकः कुलोद्वहः । वहते तन्नियोगाद्वै वयमभ्युत्थितास्त्रयः ॥ 6॥ त्वया चोपहृता राजन्क्षत्रिया लोकवासिनः । तदागः क्रूरमुत्पाद्य मन्यसे किं त्वनागसम् ॥ 7॥ राजा राज्ञः कथं साधून्हिंस्यान्नृपतिसत्तम । तद्राज्ञः संनिगृह्य त्वं रुद्रायोपजिहीर्षसि ॥ 8॥ अस्मांस्तदेनो गच्छेत त्वया बार्हद्रथे कृतम् । वयं हि शक्ता धर्मस्य रक्षणे धर्मचारिणः ॥ 9॥ सवर्णो हि सवर्णानां पशुसञ्ज्ञां करिष्यति । कोऽन्य एवं यथा हि त्वं जरासन्ध वृथामतिः ॥ 10॥ ते त्वां ज्ञातिक्षयकरं वयमार्तानुसारिणः । ज्ञातिवृद्धिनिमित्तार्थं विनियन्तुमिहागताः ॥ 11॥ स्वर्गयोनिर्जयो राजन्स्वर्गयोनिर्महद्यशः । स्वर्गयोनिस्तपो युद्धे मार्गः सोऽव्यभिचारवान् ॥ 12 जहि त्वं सदृशेष्वेव मानं दर्पं च मागध । मा गमः ससुतामात्यः सबलश्च यमक्षयम् ॥ 13॥ दम्भोद्भवः कार्तवीर्य उत्तरश्च बृहद्रथः । श्रेयसो ह्यवमन्येह विनेशुः सबला नृपाः ॥ 14॥ मुमुक्षमाणास्त्वत्तश्च न वयं ब्राह्मणब्रुवाः । शौरिरस्मि हृषीकेशो नृवीरौ पाण्डवाविमौ ॥ 15॥ त्वामाह्वयामहे राजन्स्थिरो युध्यस्व मागध । मुञ्च वा नृपतीन्सर्वान्मा गमस्त्वं यमक्षयम् ॥ 16॥ जरासन्ध उवाच॥ नाजितान्वै नरपतीनहमादद्मि कांश्चन । जितः कः पर्यवस्थाता कोऽत्र यो न मया जितः ॥ 17॥ क्षत्रियस्यैतदेवाहुर्धर्म्यं कृष्णोपजीवनम् । विक्रम्य वशमानीय कामतो यत्समाचरेत् ॥ 18॥ देवतार्थमुपाकृत्य राज्ञः कृष्ण कथं भयात् । अहमद्य विमुञ्चेयं क्षात्रं व्रतमनुस्मरन् ॥ 19॥ सैन्यं सैन्येन व्यूढेन एक एकेन वा पुनः । द्वाभ्यां त्रिभिर्वा योत्स्येऽहं युगपत्पृथगेव वा ॥ 20॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ एवमुक्त्वा जरासन्धः सहदेवाभिषेचनम् । आज्ञापयत्तदा राजा युयुत्सुर्भीमकर्मभिः ॥ 21॥	21 (227)
Jarasandha said, 'I don’t remember ever doing you any harm! Even after thinking it over carefully, I can't find any wrongdoing I’ve done to you. If I’ve never harmed you, why do you, the Brahmanas, see me—who is innocent—as your enemy? Please answer me honestly, for that is the way of the righteous. It pains the mind to see harm come to one's joy and morals. A Kshatriya who harms the joy and values of an innocent person, even if he is a great warrior and knows the rules of virtue, will surely meet a dreadful fate downstream and lose his prosperity. The practices of Kshatriyas are the finest among the honest in all the worlds. Indeed, those familiar with virtue commend the ways of Kshatriyas. By firmly sticking to the principles of my order, I never wrong those beneath me. So, by accusing me, it seems you are mistaken!' Krishna replied, 'O strong one, there is a royal figure who maintains the honor of his lineage, and that is why we have come against you. You have taken many Kshatriyas captive. After committing such a grave wrong, how can you think of yourself as innocent? O great king, how can a ruler act wrongly toward other noble kings? Yet you, treating other kings harshly, seek to offer them as sacrifices to the god Rudra! O son of Vrihadratha, this sin of yours could even affect us, for as we are virtuous, we can uphold righteousness. The killing of humans as offerings to the gods is never justifiable. You are treating those of your own kind as if they were mere animals ready for sacrifice! How foolish you are, Jarasandha; no one else behaves this way. We reap the results of our actions, regardless of the situation. Thus, wishing to assist all those in distress, we have come here to defeat you, the killer of our kin. Studying the Vedas, earning great reputation, practicing asceticism, and dying in battle are all ways to attain heaven. While the first three may provide uncertain paths, dying in battle guarantees entry to heaven. Do not take your children, ministers, and army into the realm of the dead, O king. Damvodhava, Kartavirya, Uttara, and Vrihadratha faced destruction along with their armies for disrespecting their leaders. Aiming to free the imprisoned kings from you, understand that we are definitely not Brahmanas. I am Hrishikeshaand these two champions are the sons of Pandu. O king of Magadha, we challenge you. Stand and fight us. Either release all the captured kings, or prepare to meet your end. Jarasandha said, 'I never capture a king without first defeating him. Who has been held here that hasn't been conquered in battle? O Krishna, it is said that Kshatriyas must demonstrate their strength to bring others under their rule and then treat them as subordinates. I have gathered these kings with the intention of offering them as sacrifices to the god; how can I, O Krishna, free them out of fear today when I also remember my duty as a Kshatriya? Whether facing troops in battle or one-on-one, or even against two or three opponents at once, I am ready to fight.'" Vaisampayana said, 'Having spoken thus and eager to battle those formidable heroes, King Jarasandha commanded that his son Sahadeva be placed on the throne.'
वासुदेव उवाच॥ त्रयाणां केन ते राजन्योद्धुं वितरते मनः । अस्मदन्यतमेनेह सज्जीभवतु को युधि ॥ 1॥ एवमुक्तः स कृष्णेन युद्धं वव्रे महाद्युतिः । जरासन्धस्ततो राजन्भीमसेनेन मागधः ॥ 2॥ धारयन्नगदान्मुख्यान्निर्वृतीर्वेदनानि च । उपतस्थे जरासन्धं युयुत्सुं वै पुरोहितः ॥ 3॥ कृतस्वस्त्ययनो विद्वान्ब्राह्मणेन यशस्विना । समनह्यज्जरासन्धः क्षत्रधर्ममनुव्रतः ॥ 4॥ अवमुच्य किरीटं स केशान्समनुमृज्य च । उदतिष्ठज्जरासन्धो वेलातिग इवार्णवः ॥ 5॥ उवाच मतिमान्राजा भीमं भीमपराक्रमम् । भीम योत्स्ये त्वया सार्धं श्रेयसा निर्जितं वरम् ॥ 6॥ एवमुक्त्वा जरासन्धो भीमसेनमरिंदमः । प्रत्युद्ययौ महातेजाः शक्रं बलिरिवासुरः ॥ 7॥ ततः संमन्त्र्य कृष्णेन कृतस्वस्त्ययनो बली । भीमसेनो जरासन्धमाससाद युयुत्सया ॥ 8॥ ततस्तौ नरशार्दूलौ बाहुशस्त्रौ समीयतुः । वीरौ परमसंहृष्टावन्योन्यजयकाङ्क्षिणौ ॥ 9॥ तयोरथ भुजाघातान्निग्रहप्रग्रहात्तथा । आसीत्सुभीमसंह्रादो वज्रपर्वतयोरिव ॥ 10॥ उभौ परमसंहृष्टौ बलेनातिबलावुभौ । अन्योन्यस्यान्तरं प्रेप्सू परस्परजयैषिणौ ॥ 11॥ कार्त्तिकस्य तु मासस्य प्रवृत्तं प्रथमेऽहनि । अनारतं दिवारात्रमविश्रान्तमवर्तत ॥ 12॥ तद्वृत्तं तु त्रयोदश्यां समवेतं महात्मनोः । चतुर्दश्यां निशायां तु निवृत्तो मागधः क्लमात् ॥ 13 तं राजानं तथा क्लान्तं दृष्ट्वा राजञ्जनार्दनः । उवाच भीमकर्माणं भीमं सम्बोधयन्निव ॥ 14॥ क्लान्तः शत्रुर्न कौन्तेय लभ्यः पीडयितुं रणे । पीड्यमानो हि कार्त्स्न्येन जह्याज्जीवितमात्मनः ॥ 15॥ तस्मात्ते नैव कौन्तेय पीडनीयो नराधिपः । सममेतेन युध्यस्व बाहुभ्यां भरतर्षभ ॥ 16॥ एवमुक्तः स कृष्णेन पाण्डवः परवीरहा । जरासन्धस्य तद्रन्ध्रं ज्ञात्वा चक्रे मतिं वधे ॥ 17॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ भीमसेनस्ततः कृष्णमुवाच यदुनन्दनम् । बुद्धिमास्थाय विपुलां जरासन्धजिघांसया ॥ 18॥ नायं पापो मया कृष्ण युक्तः स्यादनुरोधितुम् । प्राणेन यदुशार्दूल बद्धवङ्क्षणवाससा ॥ 19॥ एवमुक्तस्ततः कृष्णः प्रत्युवाच वृकोदरम् । त्वरयन्पुरुषव्याघ्रो जरासन्धवधेप्सया ॥ 20॥ यत्ते दैवं परं सत्त्वं यच्च ते मातरिश्वनः । बलं भीम जरासन्धे दर्शयाशु तदद्य नः ॥ 21॥ एवमुक्तस्तदा भीमो जरासन्धमरिंदमः । उत्क्षिप्य भ्रामयद्राजन्बलवन्तं महाबलः ॥ 22॥ भ्रामयित्वा शतगुणं भुजाभ्यां भरतर्षभ । बभञ्ज पृष्ठे सङ्क्षिप्य निष्पिष्य विननाद च ॥ 23॥ तस्य निष्पिष्यमाणस्य पाण्डवस्य च गर्जतः । अभवत्तुमुलो नादः सर्वप्राणिभयङ्करः ॥ 24॥	24 (251)
Vaisampayana said, 'Then the greatest speaker, Krishna from the Yadava clan, turned to King Jarasandha, who was eager for battle, and asked, 'O king, which one of us three do you wish to fight? Who among us will prepare for combat with you?' In response, the mighty ruler of Magadha, King Jarasandha, chose to battle Bhima. The priest came forward with yellow dye made from cow's milk, flower garlands, and other blessings, as well as excellent herbs to revive those who had lost consciousness and ease their pain, as he rushed to Jarasandha, eager for battle. King Jarasandha, whose rituals were conducted by a skilled Brahmana, and who remembered his duty as a warrior, got ready for the fight. He removed his crown and tied his hair back, standing tall like a swelling ocean. The formidable monarch then turned to Bhima and declared, 'I will fight you. It is better to be defeated by someone stronger.' Saying this, Jarasandha, the conqueror of all foes, charged at Bhimasena with fierce energy, much like the demon Vala did against the chief of the gods. Mighty Bhimasena, for whom the gods had been called upon by Krishna, moved forward, eager for the battle. The two fierce warriors, both champions of great strength, engaged in combat with bare arms as their only weapons, each determined to defeat the other. They grasped each other's arms and intertwined their legs, slapping their armpits, causing the ground to vibrate with the sound. The citizens, numbering in the thousands, gathered to witness the battle. The clash of the heroes began on the first day of Kartika (October/November) and continued without rest or food, day and night, until the thirteenth day of the lunar cycle. It was on the night of the fourteenth day that the king of Magadha finally paused, exhausted. Then, O king, Janardana saw the tired monarch and spoke to Bhima, the fierce warrior, saying, 'O son of Kunti, a weary enemy cannot be pushed too hard; if you do so now, he might even perish. So, son of Kunti, do not overwhelm this king. Instead, O mighty one of the Bharata lineage, engage him with just as much strength as he has left!' Hearing Krishna's words, the son of Pandu recognized Jarasandha's vulnerability and resolved to end his life. This strongest of men, the prince of the Kuru clan, gathered all his strength and courage, determined to conquer the previously undefeated Jarasandha. Vaisampayana said: After this, Bhima, determined to defeat Jarasandha, spoke to Krishna of the Yadu lineage, saying, 'O fierce one of the Yadu race, this despicable enemy standing before me, strong and ready for battle, deserves no mercy from me.' Hearing Vrikodara's words, Krishna, eager to motivate the hero to end Jarasandha’s life swiftly, replied, 'O Bhima, today show Jarasandha the strength you’ve inherited from your father, the god Maruta.' Encouraged by Krishna, Bhima, the enemy-slayer, lifted the powerful Jarasandha into the air and began to spin him around. And, O great warrior of the Bharata line, after spinning him a hundred times, Bhima broke his back and killed him. Following this, the mighty Vrikodara let out a fearsome roar. The sound of the Pandava’s roar combined with the death cry of Jarasandha as he was broken over Bhima's knee created a tremendous commotion.
वैशम्पायन उवाच। ततो राजकुलद्वारि प्रसुप्तमिव तं नृपम् । रात्रौ परासुमुत्सृज्य निश्चक्रमुररिंदमाः ॥ 1॥ जरासन्धरथं कृष्णो योजयित्वा पताकिनम् । आरोप्य भ्रातरौ चैव मोक्षयामास बान्धवान् ॥ 2॥ ते वै रत्नभुजं कृष्णं रत्नार्हं पृथिवीश्वराः । राजानश्चक्रुरासाद्य मोक्षिता महतो भयात् ॥ 3॥ स निर्ययौ महाबाहुः पुण्डरीकेक्षणस्ततः । गिरिव्रजाद्बहिस्तस्थौ समे देशे महायशाः ॥ 4॥ तत्रैनं नागराः सर्वे सत्कारेणाभ्ययुस्तदा । ब्राह्मणप्रमुखा राजन्विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥ 5॥ बन्धनाद्विप्रमुक्ताश्च राजानो मधुसूदनम् । पूजयामासुरूचुश्च सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वचः ॥ 6 नैतच्चित्रं महाबाहो त्वयि देवकिनन्दन । भीमार्जुनबलोपेते धर्मस्य परिपालनम् ॥ 7॥ विष्णो समवसन्नानां गिरिदुर्गे सुदारुणे । दिष्ट्या मोक्षाद्यशो दीप्तमाप्तं ते पुरुषोत्तम ॥ 8॥ किं कुर्मः पुरुषव्याघ्र ब्रवीहि पुरुषर्षभ । कृतमित्येव तज्ज्ञेयं नृपैर्यद्यपि दुष्करम् ॥ 9॥ तानुवाच हृषीकेशः समाश्वास्य महामनाः । युधिष्ठिरो राजसूयं क्रतुमाहर्तुमिच्छति ॥ 10॥ तस्य धर्मप्रवृत्तस्य पार्थिवत्वं चिकीर्षतः । सर्वैर्भवद्भिर्यज्ञार्थे साहाय्यं दीयतामिति ॥ 11॥ ततः प्रतीतमनसस्ते नृपा भरतर्षभ । तथेत्येवाब्रुवन्सर्वे प्रतिजज्ञुश्च तां गिरम् ॥ 12॥ रत्नभाजं च दाशार्हं चक्रुस्ते पृथिवीश्वराः । कृच्छ्राज्जग्राह गोविन्दस्तेषां तदनुकम्पया ॥ 13॥ जरासन्धात्मजश्चैव सहदेवो महारथः । निर्ययौ सजनामात्यः पुरस्कृत्य पुरोहितम् ॥ 14॥ स नीचैः प्रश्रितो भूत्वा बहुरत्नपुरोगमः । सहदेवो नृणां देवं वासुदेवमुपस्थितः ॥ 15॥ भयार्ताय ततस्तस्मै कृष्णो दत्त्वाभयं तदा । अभ्यषिञ्चत तत्रैव जरासन्धात्मजं तदा ॥ 16॥ गत्वैकत्वं च कृष्णेन पार्थाभ्यां चैव सत्कृतः । विवेश राजा मतिमान्पुनर्बार्हद्रथं पुरम् ॥ 17॥ कृष्णस्तु सह पार्थाभ्यां श्रिया परमया ज्वलन् । रत्नान्यादाय भूरीणि प्रययौ पुष्करेक्षणः ॥ 18॥ इन्द्रप्रस्थमुपागम्य पाण्डवाभ्यां सहाच्युतः । समेत्य धर्मराजानं प्रीयमाणोऽभ्यभाषत ॥ 19॥ दिष्ट्या भीमेन बलवाञ्जरासन्धो निपातितः । राजानो मोक्षिताश्चेमे बन्धनान्नृपसत्तम ॥ 20॥ दिष्ट्या कुशलिनौ चेमौ भीमसेनधनञ्जयौ । पुनः स्वनगरं प्राप्तावक्षताविति भारत ॥ 21॥ ततो युधिष्ठिरः कृष्णं पूजयित्वा यथार्हतः । भीमसेनार्जुनौ चैव प्रहृष्टः परिषस्वजे ॥ 22॥ ततः क्षीणे जरासन्धे भ्रातृभ्यां विहितं जयम् । अजातशत्रुरासाद्य मुमुदे भ्रातृभिः सह ॥ 23॥ यथावयः समागम्य राजभिस्तैश्च पाण्डवः । सत्कृत्य पूजयित्वा च विससर्ज नराधिपान् ॥ 24॥ युधिष्ठिराभ्यनुज्ञातास्ते नृपा हृष्टमानसाः । जग्मुः स्वदेशांस्त्वरिता यानैरुच्चावचैस्ततः ॥ 25॥ एवं पुरुषशार्दूलो महाबुद्धिर्जनार्दनः । पाण्डवैर्घातयामास जरासन्धमरिं तदा ॥ 26॥ घातयित्वा जरासन्धं बुद्धिपूर्वमरिंदमः । धर्मराजमनुज्ञाप्य पृथां कृष्णां च भारत ॥ 27॥ सुभद्रां भीमसेनं च फल्गुनं यमजौ तथा । धौम्यमामन्त्रयित्वा च प्रययौ स्वां पुरीं प्रति ॥ 28॥ तेनैव रथमुख्येन तरुणादित्यवर्चसा । धर्मराजविसृष्टेन दिव्येनानादयन्दिशः ॥ 29॥ ततो युधिष्ठिरमुखाः पाण्डवा भरतर्षभ । प्रदक्षिणमकुर्वन्त कृष्णमक्लिष्टकारिणम् ॥ 30॥ ततो गते भगवति कृष्णे देवकिनन्दने । जयं लब्ध्वा सुविपुलं राज्ञामभयदास्तदा ॥ 31॥ संवर्धितौजसो भूयः कर्मणा तेन भारत । द्रौपद्याः पाण्डवा राजन्परां प्रीतिमवर्धयन् ॥ 32॥ तस्मिन्काले तु यद्युक्तं धर्मकामार्थसंहितम् । तद्राजा धर्मतश्चक्रे राज्यपालनकीर्तिमान् ॥ 33॥	33 (284)
After defeating their enemies, the oppressors left the deceased king's body at the palace gate, leaving it as if he were asleep, and exited the city. Krishna arranged for Jarasandha's chariot, complete with a magnificent flagpole, and had his brothers, Bhima and Arjuna, ride in it. He then went in to free his imprisoned relatives. The kings, saved from a dire fate and laden with jewels, approached Krishna, offering him gifts of valuable gems. Once outside the city of Girivraja, Krishna paused on a flat plain. The citizens, led by the Brahmins, rushed to honour him with proper rites. The freed kings worshipped the slayer of Madhu with deep respect, praising him: "O you of mighty arms, you have rescued us today from the depths of despair at the hands of Jarasandha. Your virtuous deed, supported by Bhima and Arjuna's strength, is truly remarkable. O Vishnu, while we suffered in the dread stronghold of Jarasandha, it is by sheer luck that you have liberated us, bringing you great honour. O best among men, we bow to you. Command us what to do! No matter how difficult, we will accomplish your wishes, O lord Krishna, as soon as you tell us." Thus, when the kings were addressed, the noble Hrishikesa reassured them, saying, 'Yudhishthira wishes to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. This virtuous king seeks to gain the imperial crown. Knowing this, help him in his quest.' Then, O king, the monarchs joyfully accepted Krishna's words, exclaiming, 'So be it!' With that, the rulers of the earth presented jewels to the one from the Dasarha lineage. Moved by their goodwill, Govinda accepted a portion of these gifts. Then, the son of Jarasandha, the noble Sahadeva, along with his family and key officials, approached with his priest leading the way. The prince humbly bowed and offered lavish gifts of jewels and precious stones to Vasudeva, the divine among men. Krishna, ever reassuring to the fearful prince, accepted his valuable gifts. Joyfully, Krishna crowned Sahadeva as the ruler of Magadha. Thus, honoured and now allies with Krishna, the strong and revered son of Jarasandha returned to his father’s city, treated with respect and kindness by the sons of Pritha. And so, the remarkable Krishna, alongside the sons of Pritha and blessed with great fortune, departed from the city of Magadha, adorned with many jewels. Accompanied by the two sons of Pandu, Krishna reached Indraprastha, and joyfully approached Yudhishthira, saying, 'O greatest king, by fortune's grace, the mighty Jarasandha has been defeated by Bhima, and the kings held captive in Girivraja have been freed. Also, by good luck, Bhima and Dhananjaya have returned unharmed to their city.' Then Yudhishthira honored Krishna as he deserved, and joyfully embraced Bhima and Arjuna. The king, without any enemies, revelled in victory thanks to his brothers after the defeat of Jarasandha, indulging in joy and merriment with them all. Yudhishthira, the eldest son, along with his brothers, welcomed the kings who had come to Indraprastha, honouring each according to their age before sending them away. At Yudhishthira's command, those kings, with happy hearts, swiftly departed for their own lands in splendid chariots. Thus, O king, Janardana, a formidable man, orchestrated the defeat of Jarasandha through the Pandavas. And, O Bharata, having brought about Jarasandha’s end, he took leave of Yudhishthira, Pritha, Draupadi, Subhadra, Bhimasena, Arjuna, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. After saying goodbye to Dhananjaya, he departed for Dwarka, riding in a magnificent celestial chariot gifted to him by Yudhishthira. And, O descendant of Bharata, just as Krishna was about to leave, the Pandavas, led by Yudhishthira, circled around that fearless man who never tired in his efforts. After the renowned Krishna, son of Devaki, had left, achieving great victory and calming the fears of many kings, this act, O Bharata, enhanced the reputation of the Pandavas. And, O king, the Pandavas spent their days, bringing joy to Draupadi. During that time, Yudhishthira made sure to uphold all that was right and aligned with virtue, joy, and benefit, while diligently fulfilling his responsibilities to protect his people.

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  सभापर्वणि चतुर्थोऽद्यायः॥

 

Sabhāparva Chapter- 3

Sabhāparva Chapter- 5