“Jarasandha said,—­’I never make a captive of a king without first vanquishing him.  Who hath been kept here that hath not been defeated in war?  This, O Krishna, it hath been said, is the duty that should be followed by the Kshatriyas, viz., to bring others under sway by the exhibition of prowess and then to treat them as slaves.  Having gathered these monarchs with the intention of offering them as sacrifices unto the god, how shall I, O Krishna, from fear liberate them to-day, when I recollect also the duty I have recited of a Kshatriya?  With troops against troops arrayed in order of battle, or alone against one, or against two, or against three, at the same time or separately, I am ready to fight.’”

Vaisampayana said,—­“Having spoken thus, and desiring to fight with those heroes of terrible achievements, king Jarasandha ordered (his son) Sahadeva to be installed on the throne.  Then, O bull of the Bharata race, the king, on the eve of battle, thought of his two generals Kausika and Chitrasena.  These two, O king, were formerly called by everybody in the world of men by the respectful appellations of Hansa and Dimvaka.  And, O monarch, that tiger among men, the lord Sauri ever devoted to truth, the slayer of Madhu, the younger brother of Haladhara, the foremost of all persons having their senses under complete control, keeping in view the command of Brahma and remembering that the ruler of Magadha was destined to be slain in battle by Bhima and not by the descendant of Madhu (Yadavas), desired not to slay himself king Jarasandha, that foremost of all men endued with strength, that hero possessed of the prowess of a tiger, that warrior of terrible valour.”

SECTION XXIII

Vaisampayana said,—­’then that foremost of all speakers, Krishna of the Yadava race, addressing king Jarasandha who was resolved upon fighting, said,—­’O king, with whom amongst us three dost thou desire to fight?  Who amongst us shall prepare himself for battle (with thee)?’ Thus addressed, the ruler of Magadha, king Jarasandha of great splendour, expressed his desire for fighting with Bhima.  The priest then, bringing with him the yellow pigment obtained from the cow and garlands of flowers and other auspicious articles, as also various excellent medicines for restoring lost consciousness and alleviating pain, approached Jarasandha, panting for battle.  The king Jarasandha, on whose behalf propitiatory ceremonies with benedictions were performed by a renowned Brahmana, remembering the duty of a Kshatriya dressed himself for battle.  Taking off his crown and binding his hair properly, Jarasandha stood up like an ocean bursting its continents.  Then the monarch possessed of terrible prowess, addressing Bhima. said, ’I will fight with thee.  It is better to be vanquished by a superior person.’  And saying this, Jarasandha, that represser of all foes endued, rushed with great energy at Bhimasena