Rajasuya, Jarasandha and Sisupala

Chapter 71, 72, 73, 74, 75

Uddhava knew that Jarasandha had to be killed before the Rajasuya sacrifice could be performed, and he thus advised the Lord to visit Indraprastha. When Krishna arrived there, the Pandavas received Him with great happiness, crying tears of joy. Kunti, Draupadi and all the citizens eagerly came to see Krishna, bringing gifts and beautiful offerings of love.

For the glorification of Krishna, Maharaja Yuddhistira selflessly decided to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice: “Let the people of this world see the power of devotional service to You” he proclaimed. The Pandavas thus conquered all directions until only Jarasandha remained. Following Uddhava’s plan, Krishna, Bhima and Arjuna disguised themselves as brahmanas and visited Jarasandha.

Though suspicious, he received them respectfully and enquired what charity he could offer them. They suddenly revealed their true identities and challenged Jarasandha to a duel. Jarasandha laughed, considering Bhima to be the only worthy opponent. The fight ensued, and after a gruelling exchange of blows, Krishna glanced at Bhima and split a branch in half, hinting that this was the means of victory. Bhima understood the cryptic clue, grabbed one of Jarasandha’s legs while stepping on the other, ripped him in two, and thus emerged victorious.

The kings imprisoned by Jarasandha, emaciated and weak, were freed, and Krishna instructed them in their duties. After profusely thanking Him and praying for pure devotion, they departed for their respective kingdoms while Krishna, Bhima and Arjuna returned to Indraprastha and delivered the good news to Maharaja Yuddhistira.

Maharaja Yuddhistira then initiated the Rajasuya sacrifice and unhesitatingly selected Krishna as the personality worthy of first worship (agra-puja). The King bathed His feet and offered words of praise while everyone happily looked on in approval. Sisupala, however, was unable to tolerate the glorification of Krishna. In a sudden outburst, he stood up and launched vicious words of blasphemy at Krishna, criticising His character and activities. Krishna patiently heard his insults but the assembled kings were itching to attack him. Krishna then intervened, released His Sudarshan Chakra, and decapitated Sisupala in one clean shot.

The yajna was successfully completed and Maharaja Yuddhistira encouraged his friends, allies, and particularly Krishna, to remain in Indraprastha for some time longer. Seeing Maharaja Yuddhistira’s prosperity, Duryodhana seethed with envy. One day, in Maharaja Yuddhistira’s mystical palace expertly crafted by Maya Danava, Duryodhana was befooled by the architecture and publicly humiliated. The Kaurava warrior quickly left, his fury irrevocably inflamed. Now he was hell-bent on revenge.