kings that are powerful and own large armies and numberless vehicles and animals, upon approaching this son of thine, will all perish as insects upon fire.  This child will seize the growing prosperity of all kings like the ocean receiving the rivers swollen with the water of the rainy season.  Like the huge earth that bears all kinds of produce, supporting things that are both good and evil, this child endued with great strength will support all the four orders of men.  And all the kings of the earth will live in obedience to the commands of this child just as every creature endued with body live in dependence upon Vayu that is dear as self unto beings.  This prince of Magadha—­the mightiest of all men in the world—­will behold with his physical eyes the god of gods called Rudra or Hara, the slayer of Tripura.  O thou slayer of all foes, saying this, the Rishi, thinking of his own business, dismissed king Vrihadratha.  The lord of the Magadhas then, re-entering his capital, and calling together his friends and relations, installed Jarasandha, on the throne.  King Vrihadratha then came to feel a great distaste for worldly pleasures.  And after the installation of Jarasandha king Vrihadratha followed by his two wives became an inmate of an ascetic asylum in the woods.  And, O king, after his father and mothers had retired into the woods, Jarasandha by his valour brought numerous kings under his sway.’”

“Vaisampayana continued,—­’King Vrihadratha, having lived for some time in the woods and practised ascetic penances, ascended to heaven at last with his wives.  King Jarasandha, also, as uttered by Kausika, having received those numerous boons ruled his kingdom like a father.  Some time after when king Kansa was slain by Vasudeva, an enmity arose between him and Krishna.  Then, O Bharata, the mighty king of Magadha from his city of Girivraja, whirling a mace ninety-nine times, hurled it towards Mathura.  At that time Krishna of wonderful deeds was residing at Mathura.  The handsome mace hurled by Jarasandha fell near Mathura at a distance of ninety-nine yojanas from Gririvraja The citizens beholding the circumstance well, went unto Krishna and informed him of the fall of the mace.  The place where the mace fell is adjacent to Mathura and is called Gadavasan.  Jarasandha had two supporters called Hansa and Dimvaka, both of whom were incapable of being slain by weapons.  Well-conversant with the science of politics and morality, in counsel they were the foremost of all intelligent men.  I have already told thee everything about that mighty pair.  They two and Jarasandha, I believe, are more than a match for three worlds.  O brave king, it was for this reason that the powerful Kukkura, Andhaka and Vrishni tribes, acting from motives of policy, did not deem it proper to fight with him.’”

SECTION XX

(Jarasandhta-badha Parva)