Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat
जग्राह विरथं रामो जरासन्धं महाबलम् । हतानीकावशिष्टासुं सिंह: सिंहमिवौजसा ॥ ३० ॥
jagrāha virathaṁ rāmo jarāsandhaṁ mahā-balam hatānīkāvaśiṣṭāsuṁ siṁhaḥ siṁham ivaujasā
Jarasandha, dengan keretanya yang hilang dan semua prajuritnya tewas, hanya tinggal memiliki napasnya. Pada saat itu Dewa Balarama dengan paksa menangkap prajurit yang kuat itu, sama seperti seekor singa menangkap singa lainnya.
This verse depicts Balarāma overpowering the mighty Jarāsandha, seizing him with lion-like force even when Jarāsandha is chariotless and his army has been destroyed.
In the course of the battle at Mathurā, Jarāsandha’s forces were devastated; the verse states he was left ‘viratha’ (without a chariot), indicating defeat and vulnerability on the battlefield.
It teaches steadiness and divine protection: when arrogance and aggression collapse (like Jarāsandha’s army), the Lord’s strength prevails—encouraging devotees to rely on dharma, discipline, and devotion rather than pride.