Shloka 5
Uddhava’s Counsel: The Jarāsandha Resolution and Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Indraprastha
स वै दुर्विषहो राजा नागायुतसमो बले । बलिनामपि चान्येषां भीमं समबलं विना ॥ ५ ॥
sa vai durviṣaho rājā nāgāyuta-samo bale balinām api cānyeṣāṁ bhīmaṁ sama-balaṁ vinā
The invincible King Jarāsandha is as strong as ten thousand elephants. Even other mighty warriors cannot defeat him; only Bhīma is equal to him in strength.
Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the Yādavas were extremely eager to kill Jarāsandha, and thus to caution them Śrī Uddhava spoke this verse. Jarāsandha’s death could come only at the hand of Bhīma. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that Uddhava had previously deduced this from the Jyotīr-rāga and other astrological scriptures he had learned from his teacher Bṛhaspati.
FAQs
This verse describes an “intolerable” king whose might equaled ten thousand elephants, highlighting how formidable Kṣatriya opponents were in the Bhagavatam’s royal narratives.
Bhīma is identified as the only warrior among the strong who could match that king’s power, emphasizing Bhīma’s exceptional strength in the Rājasūya-era events.
Even great worldly power has limits and counterparts; recognizing true strength includes humility and aligning one’s abilities with dharma rather than pride.