Shloka 12
Jarā’s Account and the Enthronement of Jarāsandha (जरासंधोत्पत्तिः अभिषेकश्च)
कृष्ण उवाच शृणु राजन् जरासंधो यद्दीर्यो यत्पराक्रम: । यथा चोपेक्षितो<स्माभिबहुश: कृतविप्रिय:
kṛṣṇa uvāca śṛṇu rājan jarāsandho yad vīryo yat parākramaḥ | yathā copīkṣito ’smābhir bahuśaḥ kṛtavipriyaḥ ||
Kṛṣṇa dit : « Écoute, ô Roi. Je te dirai quelle est la puissance et la vaillance de Jarāsandha, et aussi pourquoi nous l’avons maintes fois négligé — bien qu’il ait souvent agi contre nos intérêts et nous ait causé du tort. »
कृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical-political reflection: even when an adversary repeatedly causes harm, a ruler may choose strategic forbearance and restraint, weighing power, timing, and broader dharmic aims rather than reacting impulsively.
Krishna addresses a king and introduces an explanation about Jarāsandha—describing his strength and valor and clarifying why Krishna and his allies had long tolerated or overlooked Jarāsandha despite his repeated hostile actions.