(Jarasandhta-badha Parva)
"Krishna said,--'both Hansa and Dimvaka have fallen; Kansa also with
all his followers has been slain. The time hath, therefore come for the
destruction of Jarasandha. He is incapable of being vanquished in
battle even by all the celestials and the Asuras (fighting together).
We think, however, that he should be vanquished in a personal struggle
with bare arms. In me is policy, in Bhima is strength and in Arjuna is
triumph; and therefore, as prelude to performing the Rajasuya, we will
certainly achieve the destruction of the ruler of Magadha. When we
three approach that monarch in secret, and he will, without doubt, be
engaged in an encounter with one of us. From fear of disgrace, from
covetousness, and from pride of strength he will certainly summon Bhima
to the encounter. Like death himself that slays a person however
swollen with pride, the long-armed and mighty Bhimasena will effect the
destruction of the king. If thou knowest my heart, if thou hast any
faith in me, then make over to me, as a pledge, Bhima and Arjuna
without loss of time!'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Thus addressed by the exalted one,
Yudhishthira, beholding both Bhima and Arjuna standing with cheerful
faces, replied, saying--'O Achyuta, O Achyuta, thou slayer of all
enemies, say not so. Thou art the lord of the Pandavas! We are
dependent on thee. What thou sayest, O Govinda, is consistent with wise
counsels. Thou never leadest those upon whom Prosperity hath turned her
back. I who stay under thy command regard that Jarasandha is already
slain, that the monarchs confined by him have already been set free,
that the Rajasuya hath already been accomplished by me. O lord of the
universe, O thou best of persons, watchfully act thou so that this task
may be accomplished. Without ye then I dare not live, like a sorrowful
man afflicted with disease, and bereft of the three attributes of
morality, pleasure and wealth. Partha cannot live without Sauri
(Krishna), nor can Sauri live without Partha. Nor is there anything in
the world that is unconquerable by these two, viz., Krishna and Arjuna.
This handsome Bhima also is the foremost of all persons endued with
might. Of great renown, what can he not achieve when with ye two?
Troops, when properly led, always do excellent service. A force without
a leader hath been called inert by the wise. Forces, therefore, should
always be led by experienced commanders. Into places that are low, the
wise always conduct the water. Even fishermen cause the water (of tank)
to run out through holes. (Experienced leaders always lead their forces
noting the loopholes and assailable points of the foe). We shall,
therefore, strive to accomplish our purpose following the leadership of
Govinda conversant with the science of politics, that personage whose
fame hath spread all over the world. For the successful accomplishment
of one's purposes one should ever place Krishna in the van, that
foremost of personages whose strength consists in wisdom and policy and
who possesseth a knowledge of both method and means. For the
accomplishment of one's purpose let, therefore, Arjuna, the son of
Pritha, follow Krishna the foremost of the Yadavas and let Bhima follow
Arjuna. Policy and good fortune and might will (then) bring about
success in a matter requiring valour.'" Vaisampayana said,--"Thus
addressed by Yudhishthira, the trio Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima, all
possessed of great energy, set out for Magadha attired in the garb of
Snataka Brahmanas of resplendent bodies, and blessed by the agreeable
speeches of friends and relatives. Possessed of superior energy and of
bodies already like the Sun, the Moon, and the Fire, inflamed with
wrath at the sad lot of their relative kings, those bodies of theirs
became much more blazing. And the people, beholding Krishna and Arjuna,
both of whom had never before been vanquished in battle, with Bhima in
the van, all ready to achieve the same task, regarded Jarasandha as
already slain. For the illustrious pair (Krishna and Arjuna) were
masters that directed every operation (in the universe), as also all
acts relating to the morality, wealth, and pleasure of every being.
Having set out from the country of the Kurus, they passed through
Kuru-jangala and arrived at the charming lake of lotuses. Passing over
the hills of Kalakuta, they then went on crossing the Gandaki, the
Sadanira (Karatoya), and the Sarkaravarta and the other rivers taking
their rise in the same mountains. They then crossed the delightful
Sarayu and saw the country of Eastern Kosala. Passing over that country
they went to Mithila and then crossing the Mala and Charamanwati, the
three heroes crossed the Ganges and the Sone and went on towards the
east. At last those heroes of unfaded glory arrived at Magadha in the
heart of (the country of) Kushamva. Reaching then the hills of Goratha,
they saw the city of Magadha that was always filled with kine and
wealth and water and rendered handsome with the innumerable trees
standing there.