Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat
हनिष्यामि बलं ह्येतद्भुवि भारं समाहितम् । मागधेन समानीतं वश्यानां सर्वभूभुजाम् ॥ ७ ॥ अक्षौहिणीभि: सङ्ख्यातं भटाश्वरथकुञ्जरै: । मागधस्तु न हन्तव्यो भूय: कर्ता बलोद्यमम् ॥ ८ ॥
haniṣyāmi balaṁ hy etad bhuvi bhāraṁ samāhitam māgadhena samānītaṁ vaśyānāṁ sarva-bhūbhujām
[ഭഗവാൻ ചിന്തിച്ചു:] ഈ സൈന്യം ഭൂമിക്കൊരു ഭാരമാണ്; മഗധരാജൻ അധീനരാജാക്കന്മാരുടെ സേനകളെ ഇവിടെ കൂട്ടിച്ചേർത്തിരിക്കുന്നു. പടയാളി, കുതിര, രഥ, ഗജ അക്ഷൗഹിണികളായി എണ്ണപ്പെടുന്ന ഈ ബലം ഞാൻ നശിപ്പിക്കും; എന്നാൽ ജരാസന്ധനെ കൊല്ലരുത്, കാരണം ഭാവിയിൽ അവൻ വീണ്ടും സൈന്യം സമാഹരിക്കും।
After due consideration, Lord Kṛṣṇa decided that since He had descended to the earth to destroy the demons, and since Jarāsandha was so enthusiastic to bring all the demons to the Lord’s front door, it was definitely more efficient to keep Jarāsandha alive and busy.
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa states He will destroy the amassed army that has become a heavy burden on the earth, showing His role in restoring dharma by reducing oppressive military power.
Jarāsandha had gathered vast forces by subjugating many kings; Kṛṣṇa declares His intent to eliminate that concentrated threat to relieve the earth and protect righteous order.
The verse highlights resisting harmful, oppressive accumulation of power—supporting actions that reduce suffering and uphold ethical responsibility in leadership and society.