Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 30
Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat
जग्राह विरथं रामो जरासन्धं महाबलम् । हतानीकावशिष्टासुं सिंह: सिंहमिवौजसा ॥ ३० ॥
jagrāha virathaṁ rāmo jarāsandhaṁ mahā-balam hatānīkāvaśiṣṭāsuṁ siṁhaḥ siṁham ivaujasā
Jarāsandha, with his chariot lost and all his soldiers dead, was left with only his breath. At that point Lord Balarāma forcibly seized the powerful warrior, just as one lion takes hold of another.
FAQs
This verse depicts Balarāma overpowering the mighty Jarāsandha, seizing him with lion-like force even when Jarāsandha is chariotless and his army has been destroyed.
In the course of the battle at Mathurā, Jarāsandha’s forces were devastated; the verse states he was left ‘viratha’ (without a chariot), indicating defeat and vulnerability on the battlefield.
It teaches steadiness and divine protection: when arrogance and aggression collapse (like Jarāsandha’s army), the Lord’s strength prevails—encouraging devotees to rely on dharma, discipline, and devotion rather than pride.