Jarasandha | King of Magadha - Father of Sahadeva - Father of Sahadeva - Defeated by Bhima and Death - Key points about Jarasandha

Who Was Jarasandha?

Jarasandha was a powerful and prominent figure in ancient Indian mythology and the Mahabharata, an epic Hindu text. He was the king of Magadha, a kingdom in ancient India. Jarasandha played a crucial role in the Mahabharata and was a major adversary of Lord Krishna.

Here are key points about Jarasandha:

1. King of Magadha: 

Jarasandha ruled over the Magadha kingdom, which was one of the most significant and powerful kingdoms in ancient India.

2. Jarasandha as Father of Sahadeva: 

Jarasandha was the father of Princess Sahadeva, who later became the wife of Pandu, one of the Kuru kings. Sahadeva is different from the Pandava prince Sahadeva.

3. Alliance with Kansa: 

Jarasandha formed an alliance with the wicked King Kansa of Mathura. Kansa was a maternal uncle of Lord Krishna and a major antagonist in Krishna's early life.

4. Failed Attempts to Kill Krishna:

 Jarasandha made several unsuccessful attempts to kill Lord Krishna. He waged wars against Krishna, hoping to eliminate him as a threat.

5. Divisive Tactics: 

Jarasandha employed divisive tactics to disrupt the unity of the Yadavas, the clan to which Lord Krishna belonged. His efforts were aimed at weakening Krishna's influence.

6. Jarasandha Defeated by Bhima: 

Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, fought a fierce duel with Jarasandha in a wrestling match known as "Magadha Udyoga Parva." The fight was intense, and Jarasandha was eventually defeated by Bhima.

7. Death: 

Jarasandha's death is a significant event in the Mahabharata. After being defeated by Bhima, Krishna devised a plan to end Jarasandha's threat. He had Jarasandha's body split into two halves, and the halves were thrown in opposite directions by the Yadavas, ensuring that Jarasandha could not be resurrected.

The story of Jarasandha is intertwined with the broader narrative of the Mahabharata and the events leading up to the Kurukshetra War. Jarasandha's role as an antagonist and his conflict with Lord Krishna are emblematic of the complex political and martial struggles depicted in the epic.