Shloka 30
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
एवमावेदितो राजा जहासोच्चै: स्म मागध: । आह चामर्षितो मन्दा युद्धं तर्हि ददामि व: ॥ ३० ॥
evam āvedito rājā jahāsoccaiḥ sma māgadhaḥ āha cāmarṣito mandā yuddhaṁ tarhi dadāmi vaḥ
एवम् आवेदितो मागधराजः उच्चैः जहास; अमर्षितो मन्दान् आह— “तर्हि युद्धं वः ददामि।”
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that Jarāsandha felt inner satisfaction because he thought that his enemies had been humiliated by having to dress like brāhmaṇas to approach him. Thus the ācārya understands Jarāsandha’s mind as follows: “O weak ones, forget the botheration of fighting. Why not just accept my head? By dressing yourselves as brāhmaṇas begging charity, you have made your heroism set like the sun, but if somehow you have not lost your courage, I will give you battle.”
FAQs
In this verse, Jarāsandha laughs loudly at being addressed and, becoming angry, agrees to give them battle—showing his pride and kṣatriya readiness for combat.
Jarāsandha felt insulted and provoked by their approach; out of arrogance and warrior pride, he derided them as “mandāḥ” and accepted the confrontation.
It cautions that ego and mockery can quickly escalate conflict; a devotee cultivates humility and self-control, choosing dharmic responses over reactive anger.