Shloka 12
Jarā’s Account and the Enthronement of Jarāsandha (जरासंधोत्पत्तिः अभिषेकश्च)
कृष्ण उवाच शृणु राजन् जरासंधो यद्दीर्यो यत्पराक्रम: । यथा चोपेक्षितो<स्माभिबहुश: कृतविप्रिय:,श्रीकृष्णने कहा--राजन्! जरासंधका बल और पराक्रम कैसा है तथा अनेक बार हमारा अप्रिय करनेपर भी हमलोगोंने क्यों उसकी उपेक्षा कर दी, यह सब बता रा हूँ, सुनिये
kṛṣṇa uvāca śṛṇu rājan jarāsandho yad vīryo yat parākramaḥ | yathā copīkṣito ’smābhir bahuśaḥ kṛtavipriyaḥ ||
Kṛṣṇa berkata: “Dengarlah, wahai Raja. Aku akan ceritakan bagaimana kekuatan dan keberanian Jarāsandha, dan juga mengapa kami berulang kali membiarkannya—walaupun dia sering bertindak menentang kepentingan kami dan mendatangkan mudarat.”
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.