Chapter 34 - Jarasandha Prepares to Attack Mathura

1. Vaishampayana said:—United with Rohini’s son Krishna spent some days happily in the city of Mathura filled with Yadavas.

2. Gradually his person was embellished with the grace of youth and regal prosperity and he began to range all over Mathura adorned with woods.

3. After some days had elapsed in this way, Jarasandha, the king of Rajagriha, heard of Kamsa’s death from his two daughters.

4-6. Hearing this the powerful Jarasandha was worked up with anger. And in order to pay his debt to Kamsa and to slay all the Yadus, the powerful Jarasandha, in no time, set out with his army consisting of six divisions. O king, the king of Magadha had two very beautiful and youthful daughters by name Asti and Prapti. The royal son of Varhadratha conferred them on Kamsa.

7. Having chained his father the son of Ahuka enjoyed in their company. You have heard many a time and oft how, depending on Jarasandha’s (help) and disregarding the Yadavas the lord of Surasena became king.

8. In order to satisfy his duties by his kinsmen and to accomplish their objects Vasudeva was always carefully engaged in Ugrasena’s well-being. Kamsa did not spare him even.

9. When the vicious-souled Kamsa was slain by Rama and Krishna, Ugrasena, encircled by Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas, became king.

10-22. Asti and Prapti, the wives of a hero, were the beloved daughters of king Jarasandha. Therefore burning like fire in anger at their instigation and making every possible arrangement the king of Magadha started for Mathura. All the highly energetic warrior kings who were defeated and subjugated by Jarasandha’s prowess, all those who were his friends, relatives, kinsmen and allies, encircled by their own armies, followed Jarasandha with a view to please him. Dantavakra the king of Karusha, the powerful king of Chedi, the king of Kalinga, the foremost of the powerful, Poundra, Sangkriti, the king of Keshika, the king Bhishmaka, his son Rukshmi, the foremost of bowmen who used to challenge Vasudeva and Arjuna in a fight, Venudari, Shrutarva, Kratha, Amshuman, the powerful kings of Anga, Vanga, the kings of Koshala, Kashi and Dasharna, the powerful king of Sumha, the lord of Vidha, the powerful king of Madra, the lord of Trigarta, the king of Shalva endued with prowess, the highly powerful Darada, the energetic Bhagadatta the lord of Yavanas, Saivya the king of Shouvira, Pandya the foremost of the strong, Suvala, the king of Gandhara, Mahavala, Nagnajit, Gonarda, the king of Kashmir, the king of Darada, the highly powerful Duryodhana and other sons of Dhritarashtra—these and other highly powerful kings, mighty car-warriors, followed Jarasandha, out of jealousy towards Janarddana. Entering the province of Shurasena, abounding in barley and fuels, they all, placing their respecting detachments before them, laid siege to Mathura.