Who Killed Jarasandha and Why?

Jarasandha, the formidable king of Magadha, was killed by Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, in a dramatic wrestling duel. His demise was a crucial event orchestrated by Krishna for several strategic and dharmic reasons, paving the way for the Pandavas' ascendancy.

The Slayer: Bhima's Triumph

Jarasandha's death came at the hands of Bhima, renowned for his immense physical strength and prowess. The confrontation took the form of a prolonged and brutal wrestling match. During the intense combat, Bhima, with a subtle signal from Krishna, understood the unique method required to defeat Jarasandha, who possessed a boon that made him virtually invincible to conventional attacks.

Bhima managed to tear Jarasandha's body into two halves. To prevent Jarasandha's mystical ability to regenerate when his halves rejoined, Bhima strategically threw the right half onto the left side and vice versa. This specific reorientation of the body parts ensured Jarasandha's permanent demise, definitively slaying him.

The Reasons Behind Jarasandha's Death

The elimination of Jarasandha was not merely an act of combat but a strategically significant move with profound political and religious implications in the narrative of the Mahabharata. Several key factors necessitated his death:

• Obstacle to the Rajasuya Sacrifice

  King Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, aimed to perform the Rajasuya Yajna (imperial sacrifice) to establish himself as a Chakravarti (universal emperor). However, for this sacrifice to be successful, all other kings had to acknowledge Yudhishthira's sovereignty. Jarasandha, being an extraordinarily powerful and unyielding monarch, refused to submit and posed the biggest threat to Yudhishthira's imperial ambitions.

• Rescue of Imprisoned Kings

  Jarasandha had imprisoned 86 kings with the cruel intention of sacrificing them to Lord Shiva. Freeing these monarchs was an act of righteousness (Dharma) and a prerequisite for Yudhishthira to genuinely claim universal sovereignty, as these kings would then be free to acknowledge his rule.

• Elimination of a Formidable Enemy

  Jarasandha was a long-standing and relentless adversary of Krishna and the Yadava clan. He had repeatedly attacked Krishna's city of Mathura, forcing Krishna to establish a new capital in Dvaraka. His death secured the safety of Krishna's kingdom and removed a significant threat to peace and stability in the region.

• Strategic Orchestration by Krishna

  Knowing Jarasandha's power and the necessity of his removal, Krishna advised Yudhishthira that Jarasandha's demise was essential. Krishna, along with Bhima and Arjuna, travelled to Magadha, challenging Jarasandha to a duel, thus setting the stage for Bhima's decisive victory.

In summary, Jarasandha's death was a multifaceted event, crucial for the Pandavas to achieve imperial status, to uphold Dharma by freeing captive kings, and to remove a powerful and relentless foe who threatened regional stability.