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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 123 Krishna's plan >>
 |  | *For Yudhisthira to become emperor and thus qualified to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice, all the kings of the world must accept his sovereignty. So here Lord Krsna will tell Yudhisthira about the main obstacle to the sacrifice—Jarasandha and his allies.
| | | Krsna, Bhima, and Arjuna, disguised as brahmanas, beg charity from the wicked but charitable king. The sage Vaisampayana is telling the history of the Pandavas to their great-grandson, King Janamejaya. As the narration continues, Lord Krsna has been discussing with King Yudhisthira the need to defeat King Jarasandha, who is holding many kings hostage. Jarasandha's defeat will entitle Yudhisthira to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice and become world emperor. Now Krsna reveals His plan to kill Jarasandha. [Abridged from the original translation.]
| | | Lord Krsna said, "The precise moment for Jarasandha's destruction has now come. He cannot be conquered in battle, even by all the gods and demons, but We perceive that he can be conquered in a personal duel. Strategy lies with Me, strength with Bhima, and Arjuna will guard both of us. Like three fires, we shall take care of him, O king.
| | | "When the three of us privately challenge that monarch, he will surely step forward to fight one of us. He has so belittled the world, and he is so emboldened by his vast power, that he will surely come forward to fight Bhimasena. With great arms and great power, Bhimasena can destroy him, just as death is able to destroy the agitated world. If your heart knows Me, and if you are convinced about Me, assign Bhimasena and Arjuna to this task at once. Entrust them to Me."
| | | Thus addressed by the Lord, Yudhisthira replied, while gazing upon Bhima and Arjuna, who stood with jubilant faces.
| | | "Acyuta! O infallible one! Never, never speak like that [as if I did not fully trust You], O punisher of the hostile. We exist under Your shelter, for You are the Lord and protector of the Pandavas. However You speak, it is most proper. Certainly You do not lead those upon whom the goddess of fortune has turned her back. Jarasandha is already slain, and the kings are freed, and I have achieved the Rajasuya, for I abide by Your command. O swift doer, who are beyond all men, act in such a way that this task, which is my duty and a duty for the sake of the entire world, will be rightly accomplished.
| | | "Without you three I have no strength to live, just as a man suffering ill health and thereby bereft of his wealth, pleasure, and religion cannot bear to live. Arjuna will not be without Krsna, nor Krsna without Arjuna. In this world there is no one these two cannot conquer. That is my opinion. And this handsome Bhima is the best of the strong. What can this illustrious hero not do when he stands with you two!
| | | "Massive strength, well guided, accomplishes the greatest task. The wise with their clear vision must guide power, which is blind and dumb. Those rich in intelligence lead water to the low ground, where there is least resistance, and to assure victory, they lead power to a weak and open point. Therefore, we shall strive for success in this task by taking shelter of You, Lord Krsna, who are celebrated throughout the world as the Supreme Person, for You know how to plan and execute policy in the most logical way. Thus, dear Krsna, to accomplish one's aim in all objectives, one must place strength, wisdom, and leadership at the forefront, joined by the means of action.
| | | "To achieve our aim, certainly Arjuna, son of Prtha, must follow Krsna, the best of the Yadus, and Bhima must follow Arjuna. In them are strength, leadership, and victory, and there will be success in this endeavor."
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