The Rakshasa Woman Jara Reveals the Secret of Jarasandha's Birth
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.
The rakshasa woman appeared before King Brihadratha.
“O lord of kings! O fortunate one!” she said. “I am a rakshasa woman named Jara, who can assume any form at will. Worshipped by everyone, I live happily in your habitation. O righteous one! O king! Therefore, I have always thought about offering you a favour in return.”
She explained what she had done. The king’s son had been born as two separate halves of a body. The rakshasa woman, Jara, had found them.
“It so happened that I saw the two half-bodies of your son. On my accidentally uniting them, the son surfaced. O great king! This was because of your own good fortune. I was only the instrument.”
Having said this, she disappeared, then and there.
The king picked up the now-whole boy and entered his own house. He performed all the necessary rites for the child. He commanded that a great festival be held throughout Magadha in honour of the rakshasa. The father, who was the equal of Prajapati (the lord of creatures), bestowed a name on him. Since he had been united by Jara, he came to be known as Jarasandha.
The son of the king of Magadha grew. He became endowed with great energy, large and strong like a sacred fire into which oblations have been poured.