in thy house, I daily think of doing thee some good in return.  It chanced, O virtuous king, that I beheld the fragmentary bodies of thy son.  When these happened to be united by me, a living child was formed of them.  O great king, it hath been so owing to thy good fortune alone.  I have been only the instrument, I am capable of swallowing the mountain of Meru itself, what shall I say of the child?  I have, however, been gratified with thee in consequence of the worship I receive in thy house.  It is, therefore, O king, that I have bestowed this child on thee.

“Krishna continued,—­Having spoken these words, O king, Jara disappeared there and then.  The king having obtained the child then entered the palace.  And the king then caused all the rites of infancy to be performed on that child, and ordered a festival to be observed by his people in Honour of that Rakshasa woman.  And the monarch equal unto Brahma himself then bestowed a name on his child.  And he said that because the child had been united by Jara, he should be called (Jarasandha i.e., united by Jara).  And the son of the king of Magadha endued with great energy, began to grow up in bulk and strength like a fire into which hath been poured libation of clarified butter.  And increasing day by day like the moon in the bright fortnight, the child began to enhance the joy of his parents.’”

SECTION XIX

“Krishna said,—­some time after this, the great ascetic, the exalted Chandakausika, again came into the country of the Magadhas.  Filled with joy at the advent of the Rishi, king Vrihadratha, accompanied by his ministers and priest and wives and son, went out to receive him.  And, O Bharata, worshipping the Rishi with water to wash his feet and face, and with the offerings of Arghya the king then offered his whole kingdom along with his son for the acceptance of the Rishi.  The adorable Rishi accepting that worship offered by the king, addressing the ruler of Magadha, O monarch, said with well-pleased heart,—­O king, I knew all this by spiritual insight.  But hear, O king of kings, what this son of thine will be in future, as also what his beauty, excellence, strength, and valour will be.  Without doubt this son of thine, growing in prosperity and endued with prowess, will obtain all these.  Like other birds that can never imitate the speed of Vinata’s son (Garuda), the other monarchs of the earth will not be able to equal in energy this thy son, who will be endued with great valour.  And all those that will stand in his way will certainly be destroyed.  Like the force of the current that can never make the slightest impression upon the rocky breast of a mountain, weapons hurled at him even by the celestials will fail to produce the least pain in him.  He will blaze forth above the heads of all that wear crowns on their brows.  Like the sun that dims the lustre of all luminous bodies, this son of thine will rob all monarchs of their splendour.  Even