The disguised heroes enter the palace and confront Jarasandha

The three entered the city ready for battle, dressed as devoted snatakas (brahmanas who have completed their vows) but with no visible weapons other than their bare arms. They saw supremely prosperous shops stocked with food and garlands, objects of every quality that satisfy desire. Having witnessed the prosperity along the streets, Krishna, Bhima, and Dhananjaya proceeded along the royal road. Those immensely powerful ones forcibly grabbed garlands from a garland-maker. Then, attired in many-coloured garments, adorned with garlands and beautiful earrings, they entered the palace of the wise Jarasandha — like lions from the Himalayas looking at a pen full of cattle. The arms of those mighty-armed warriors were smeared with sandal and aloe paste. They shone in radiance like pillars made of rock. The inhabitants of Magadha were astounded, seeing them as large as elephants, with shoulders and chests as tall and broad as shala trees. Those bulls among men passed through three rooms full of people and proudly arrived before the king. Jarasandha arose and greeted them. He showed them homage with water to wash the feet, gifts due to a guest, and a mixture with honey, as was prescribed. This was his famous vow on earth: whenever he learned that snataka brahmanas had arrived, even if it was the middle of the night, the king who was a conqueror arose to greet them. But on seeing their strange attire, Jarasandha was astonished. He approached them. As soon as they saw him, the three spoke: "O king! May there be health and welfare for you in everything." Having said this, they stood there, looking at the king and at each other. Jarasandha told the Pandavas and the Yadava, who were disguised as brahmanas, "Please be seated." Blazing in radiance like fires at a sacrifice, the three took their seats. Then King Jarasandha, always devoted to the truth, spoke to them in a tone of disapproval because of the way they were dressed. "This much is known to me. Nowhere on earth, nowhere in the world of men, do brahmanas who observe the snataka vow ever outwardly adorn themselves with garlands or fragrant paste. Who are you, thus adorned in flowers, though your arms bear the marks of wielding bowstrings? You seem to be brahmanas, but you bear the proud signs of kshatriyas. You are dressed in colourful attire and you outwardly sport garlands and fragrant paste. Tell me who you truly are — truth is the ornament of kings." His questions turned to their entry. "Why did you break down the Chaitya mountain and enter my abode by means other than through the proper gate? Are you so fearless as to insult the king? This act does not mesh with your purported character. So tell me what your intention is. The brahmana’s valour is particularly in his speech. You have arrived before me in this inappropriate way and you decline to accept the homage I offer you in courtesy. Why have you come to me?" At these words, the great-souled Krishna, skilled in the use of words, replied in words that were both serene and grave. "O king! Know that brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaishyas all possess the right to observe snataka vows. There are rules that are general and those that are specific. A kshatriya who observes specific rules always obtains great prosperity. Good fortune is certain for those who adorn themselves with flowers and we have therefore worn them." He addressed the heart of the challenge. "A kshatriya’s valour is in his arms, his valour is not in the power of speech. O son of Brihadratha! It has thus been said that his speech is never bold. O king! Brahma has placed his own energy in the arms of kshatriyas. If you wish to witness it, there is no doubt that you will witness it today." Finally, he explained their actions. "The wise always enter the house of a well-wisher through a gate, but use that which is not a gate for the house of an enemy. That is the reason we have avoided your gate. Know that whenever we enter the house of an enemy to accomplish an objective, we never accept his homage. That is our eternal vow."