Shloka 26
Jarāsandha-nipātana, rāja-mokṣa, and rājasūya-sāhāyya-prārthanā
Jarāsandha’s fall, liberation of kings, and request for support
त्वामाह्नयामहे राजन् स्थिरो युध्यस्व मागध । मुज्च वा नृपतीन् सर्वान् गच्छ वा त्वं यमक्षयम्
tvām āhnayāmahe rājan sthiro yudhyasva māgadha | muñca vā nṛpatīn sarvān gaccha vā tvaṃ yamakṣayam ||
हे मगधराज! हम तुम्हें युद्ध के लिए ललकारते हैं। डटकर युद्ध करो। या तो इन सब राजाओं को छोड़ दो, अथवा यमलोक की राह लो।
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power must be restrained by dharma: unlawful oppression—here, the captivity of kings—must be ended. When persuasion fails, a kṣatriya may enforce justice through a righteous challenge, offering the wrongdoer a clear choice: reform (release the captives) or face the lawful consequences (battle and death).
Śrī Kṛṣṇa addresses the Magadhan ruler (Jarāsandha) directly, issuing a formal combat challenge. The challenge is coupled with a demand to free all imprisoned kings; refusal means accepting a fight to the death, expressed as going to Yama’s realm.