Shloka 6
अर्जुनस्योत्तरदिग्विजयः
Arjuna’s Northern Conquests and Tribute Collection
(ततस्तु भगवान् कृष्णो जरासंधजिघांसया । भीमसेनं समालोक्य नलं॑ जग्राह पाणिना ।। द्विधा चिच्छेद वै तत् तु जरासंधवध॑ प्रति ।) तब भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने जरासंधका वध करानेकी इच्छासे भीमसेनकी ओर देखकर एक नरकट- हाथमें ले लिया और उसे (दातुनकी भाँति) दो टुकड़ोंमें चीर डाला (तथा उसे फेंक दिया)। यह जरासंधको मारनेके लिये एक संकेत था। भ्रामयित्वा शतगुणं जानुभ्यां भरतर्षभ । बभज्ज पृष्ठं संक्षिप्य निष्पिष्य विननाद च,भरतश्रेष्ठ जनमेजय! (भीमने उनके संकेतको समझ लिया और) उन्होंने सौ बार घुमाकर उसे धरतीपर पटक दिया और उसकी पीठको धनुषकी तरह मोड़कर दोनों घुटनोंकी चोटसे उसकी रीढ़ तोड़ डाली, फिर अपने शरीरकी रगड़से पीसते हुए भीमने बड़े जोरसे सिंहनाद किया
tatas tu bhagavān kṛṣṇo jarāsandhajighāṃsayā | bhīmasenaṃ samālokya nalaṃ jagrāha pāṇinā || dvidhā ciccheda vai tat tu jarāsandhavadhaṃ prati |
Then Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, intent on bringing about Jarāsandha’s death, looked toward Bhīmasena and took a reed in his hand. He deliberately split it into two, offering Bhīma a wordless sign: Jarāsandha is to be slain by being torn apart. The episode underscores Kṛṣṇa’s strategic guidance—directing force toward a dharmic end through intelligence rather than mere rage.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power should be guided by discernment: Kṛṣṇa channels Bhīma’s strength through a precise, nonverbal instruction, showing that even in violent duties like removing a tyrant, dharmic success depends on strategy, timing, and right intention rather than brute force alone.
Kṛṣṇa, aiming at Jarāsandha’s death, looks at Bhīma and splits a reed into two. This symbolic act communicates the method of killing—tearing the opponent apart—serving as a tactical संकेत (hint) for Bhīma in the impending combat.