page_title: Jarasandha
hierarchical_section_title: Jarasandha
caption_attribution_description: English: Bhima Slays Jarasandha: Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Manuscript Date: ca. 1520–40 Culture: India (Delhi Agra area) Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper Dimensions: 6 3/4 x 9 1/16 in. (17.1 x 23 cm) Classification: Painting Credit Line: Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 1985 Accession Number: 1985.398.16 Description Jarasandha, the mighty and evil ruler of Magadha, had imprisoned ninety-five kings, but he could not be defeated, as he was an invincible general and, because of a boon from the gods, could not be harmed by weapons. To bring about his downfall, Krishna tricked him into initiating a wrestling match with Bhima, who tears Jarasandha in half (upper register). At right, Krishna and Arjuna look on. Below, Bhima embraces Krishna and two of the imprisoned kings appear at left. As is typical of painting of this period, no attempt has been made to create pictorial depth and the interacting figures are shown in profile.
context_page_description: According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Jarasandha was a powerful king of Magadha. He was a descendant of king Brihadratha, the creator of the Barhadratha dynasty of Magadha. According to Vayu Purana, the descendants of Brihadratha ruled Magadha for 2600 years followed by the Haryanka dynasty. He is ninth pratinarayana according to Harivamsa Purana.
context_section_description: According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Jarasandha was a powerful king of Magadha. He was a descendant of king Brihadratha, the creator of the Barhadratha dynasty of Magadha. According to Vayu Purana, the descendants of Brihadratha (Jarasandha's father) ruled Magadha for 2600 years followed by the Haryanka dynasty. He is ninth pratinarayana according to Harivamsa Purana.
caption: Painting showing Bhima slaying Jarasandha
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