"Yudhishthira said,--'Intelligent as thou art, thou hast said what none
else is capable of saying. There is none else on earth who is settler
of all doubts. Behold, there are kings in every province employed in
benefiting their respective selves. But no one amongst them hath been
able to achieve the imperial dignity. Indeed, the title emperor is
difficult of acquisition. He that knoweth the valour and strength of
others never applaudeth himself. He, indeed, is really worthy of
applause (worship) who, engaged in encounters with his enemies, beareth
himself commendably. O thou supporter of the dignity of the Vrishni
race, man's desires and propensities, like the wide earth itself
adorned with many jewels, are varied and extensive. As experience can
seldom be gained but by travelling in regions remote from one's home,
so salvation can never be attained except by acting according to
principles that are very high, compared with the ordinary level of our
desire and propensities. I regard peace of mind as the highest object
here, for from that quality may proceed my prosperity. In my judgment,
if I undertake to celebrate this sacrifice, I shall never win the
highest reward. O Janardana, endued with energy and intelligence, these
that have been born in our race think that some one amongst them will
at one time become the foremost amongst all Kshatriyas. But, O exalted
one, we also were all frightened by the fear of Jarasandha and, O
sinless one, by the wickedness of that monarch. O thou invincible in
battle, the might of thy arm is my refuge. When, therefore, thou taken
fright at Jarasandha's might, how should I regard myself strong in
comparison with him? Madhava, O thou of the Vrishni race, I am
repeatedly depressed by the thought whether Jarasandha is capable or
not of being slain by thee, by Rama, by Bhimasena, or by Arjuna. But
what shall I say, O Keshava? Thou art my highest authority on
everything.'
"On hearing these words, Bhima well-skilled in speech said,--'That king
who is without exertion, or who being weak and without resources
entereth into hostility with one that is strong, perisheth like an
ant-hill. It may be generally seen, however, that even a king that is
weak may vanquish an enemy that is strong and obtain the fruition of
all his wishes, by wakefulness and by the application of policy. In
Krishna is policy, in myself strength, in Arjuna triumphs. So like the
three (sacrificial) fires that accomplish a sacrifice, we shall
accomplish the death of the king of Magadha.'
"Krishna then said,--'One that is immature in understanding seeketh the
fruition of his desire without an eye to what may happen to him in
future. It is seen that no one forgiveth for that reason a foe that is
of immature understanding and inclined to serve his own interests. It
hath been heard by us that in the krita age, having brought every one
under their subjection, Yauvanaswin by the abolition of all taxes,
Bhagiratha by his kind treatment to his subjects, Kartavirya by the
energy of his asceticism, the lord Bharata by his strength and valour,
and Maruta by his prosperity, all these five became emperors. But, O
Yudhishthira, thou who covetest the imperial dignity deserves it, not
by one but by all these qualities, viz., victory, protection afforded
to thy people, virtue, prosperity, and policy. Know, O bull of the Kuru
race, that Jarasandha, the son of Vrihadratha, is even such (i.e., a
candidate for the imperial dignity). A hundred dynasties of kings have
become unable to oppose Jarasandha. He, therefore, may be regarded to
be an emperor for his strength. Kings that are wearers of jewels
worship Jarasandha (with presents of jewels). But, wicked from his
childhood, he is scarcely satisfied with such worship. Having become
the foremost among all, he attacketh yet with violence kings with
crowns on their heads. Nor is there seen any king from whom he taketh
not tribute. Thus hath he brought under his sway nearly a hundred
kings. How can, O son of Pritha, any weak monarch approach him with
hostile intentions? Confined in the temple of Shiva and offered as
sacrifice unto him like so many animals, do not these monarchs
dedicated unto that god feel the most poignant misery, O bull of the
Bharata race? A Kshatriya that dieth in battle is ever regarded with
respect. Why shall we not, therefore, meet together and oppose
Jarsandha in battle? He hath already brought eighty-six kings; fourteen
only are wanting to complete one hundred. As soon as he obtaineth those
fourteen, he will begin his cruel act. He that shall be to obstruct
that act will surely win blazing renown. And he that will vanquish
Jarasandha will surely become the emperor of all the Kshatriyas.'