Brihadratha

Yudhishthira asks how Jarasandha became so formidable that even Krishna has not destroyed him. Krishna recounts the king’s origin: born as two separate half-bodies from two queens, discarded, and then fused into one powerful, whole child by a rakshasi (demoness) named Jara.

The great ascetic Chandakoushika returns to Magadha, and King Brihadratha offers him everything — even his son and kingdom. The rishi, seeing the future, delivers a chilling prophecy: the infant Jarasandha will become an unconquerable force, a king before whom all others will fall.

A rakshasa woman named Jara appears before King Brihadratha, who is grieving over his son born in two halves. She reveals the secret: she found the pieces, united them, and brought the child to life. The king names the boy Jarasandha — 'united by Jara' — and he grows into a man of terrifying strength.

After hearing the prophecy, King Brihadratha returns to his city, crowns his son Jarasandha, and retires to the forest with his wives. Freed from worldly ties, Jarasandha begins his conquests, backed by two invincible commanders, and becomes a world-conqueror so formidable that even Krishna's people choose to ignore him.