And, O bull of the Bharata race, having so whirled
him in the air full hundred times, Bhima pressed his
knee against Jarasandha’s backbone and broke
his body in twain. And having killed him thus,
the mighty Vrikodara uttered a terrible roar.
And the roar of the Pandava mingling with that death
knell of Jarasandha, while he was being broken on
Bhima’s knee, caused a loud uproar that struck
fear into the heart of every creature. And all
the citizens of Magadha became dumb with terror and
many women were even prematurely delivered. And
hearing those roars, the people of Magadha thought
that either the Himavat was tumbling down or the earth
itself was being rent asunder. And those oppressors
of all foes then, leaving the lifeless body of the
king at the palace gate where he lay as one asleep,
went out of the town. And Krishna, causing Jarasandha’s
car furnished with an excellent flagstaff to be made
ready and making the brothers (Bhima and Arjuna) ride
in it, went in and released his (imprisoned) relatives.
And those kings rescued from terrible fate, rich in
the possession of jewels, approaching Krishna made
presents unto him of jewels and gems. And having
vanquished his foe, Krishna furnished with weapons
and unwounded and accompanied by the kings (he had
released), came out of Girivraja riding in that celestial
car (of Jarasandha). And he also who could wield
the bow with both hands (Arjuna), who was incapable
of being vanquished by any of the monarchs on earth,
who was exceedingly handsome in person and well-skilled
in the destruction of the foe, accompanied by the
possessor of great strength (Bhima), came out of that
tort with Krishna driving the car whereon he rode.
And that best of cars, incapable of being vanquished
by any king, ridden in by those warriors Bhima and
Arjuna, and driven by Krishna, looked exceedingly
handsome. Indeed, it was upon that car that Indra
and Vishnu had fought of old in the battle (with the
Asuras) in which Taraka (the wife of Vrihaspati) had
become the immediate cause of much slaughter.
And riding upon that car Krishna now came out of the
hill-fort. Possessed of the splendour of heated
gold, and decked with rows of jingling bells and furnished
with wheels whose clatter was like the roar of clouds,
and ever victorious in battle, and always slaughtering
the foe against whom it was driven, it was that very
car riding upon which Indra had slain ninety-nine
Asuras of old. And those bulls among men (the
three cousins) having obtained that car became exceedingly
glad. The people of Magadha, behold the long-armed
Krishna along with the two brothers, seated in that
car (of Jarasandha) wondered much. O Bharata,
that car, whereunto were yoked celestial horses and
which possessed the speed of the wind, thus ridden
upon by Krishna, looked exceedingly beautiful.
And upon that best of cars was a flag-staff without
being visibly attached thereto, and which was the product
of celestial skill. And the handsome flag-staff,