Shloka 21
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
चतुर्थभाग् महाराज भोज इन्द्रसखो बली । विद्याबलाद् यो व्यजयत् सपाण्ड्यक्रथकैशिकान्
caturthabhāg mahārāja bhoja indrasakho balī | vidyābalād yo vyajayat sapāṇḍyakrathakaiśikān |
O King, even Bhīṣmaka—the Bhoja ruler who holds a quarter of the earth, a friend of Indra, mighty in strength, and who by the power of martial knowledge conquered the Pāṇḍya, Kratha, and Kaiśika realms—though a slayer of foes and (as my father-in-law) eminent, is nevertheless devoted to Jarāsandha, the king of Magadha.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that worldly power and reputation do not guarantee independence: even a strong, accomplished king may become loyal to a dominant ruler due to political pressure, strategic necessity, or fear—an ethical reminder about the constraints of kingship and the complexities of dharma in statecraft.
Kṛṣṇa is describing the extent of Jarāsandha’s influence: he cites Bhīṣmaka, a powerful Bhoja king and Kṛṣṇa’s father-in-law, noting his conquests and status, yet emphasizing that even he aligns himself with Jarāsandha of Magadha.