Shloka 65
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
आराध्य तपसोग्रेण निर्जितास्तेन पार्थिवा: । प्रतिज्ञायाशक्ष॒ पारं स गतः पार्थिवसत्तम
ārādhya tapasogreṇa nirjitās tena pārthivāḥ | pratijñāyāḥ pāraṃ sa gataḥ pārthivasattama śatrudamana ||
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: “O best of kings, subduer of foes! Having propitiated (the deity) through fierce austerities, he has obtained an extraordinary power; therefore those kings have been defeated by him. He intends to perform a sacrifice by offering kings as victims, and he has almost reached the completion of his vow.”
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense tapas can generate formidable power, but ethical judgment (dharma) must govern its use. Power gained through devotion or austerity becomes dangerous when directed toward adharma—here, the planned killing of kings under the guise of sacrifice.
Kṛṣṇa explains to a leading king (contextually, Yudhiṣṭhira) that Jarāsandha has become dominant because of power obtained through severe austerities and devotion to Mahādeva. With that strength he has subdued many kings and is close to fulfilling a vow that involves offering kings as victims in a sacrificial rite.