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Divisive tendency must be curbed

CHENNAI JULY 5 . It has been proved time and again that whenever a rift occurs either naturally or by human agency it is not possible to restore the original form again. It is also true for circumstances at all levels— individual, societal, national and global. This does not mean that one should resign oneself to divisive situations without making efforts to bring about unity but it is all the more important to make conscious efforts to avoid such developments to happen in the first place. Jarasandha's life is a case in point.

He was born to Brihadratha, a powerful ruler of Magadha as a result of the sage, Chandakausika's, grace. But at birth Jarasandha was gruesome. The king was childless for long and when the sage gave him a fruit he gave it to his two wives. They shared it as a result of which a child was born but half to each of them. Horrified he ordered the monstrosities to be abandoned. When the demon, Jara, picked them up with the intention of eating them they fused together as a human infant and taking pity she handed it to the king, who out of gratitude, named his son after her. The sage appeared before him and assured the king that it would not be possible for any ordinary person to kill his son as he was blessed with divine powers and that he would be a great devotee also.

Despite being an extraordinary person the fact that Jarasandha was forged together at birth proved to be his Achilles heel, said Sri B.Sundar Kumar in his discourse. The sage's boon did not fructify fully as he met his end at the hands of Bheema with Krishna's help. Jarasandha had become a tyrant and mercilessly imprisoned other kings. They appealed to Krishna to come to their rescue. Krishna had also fought with him 18 times unsuccessfully after which He had shifted His base to Dwaraka.

It was when the kings sought His intervention that Yudhishthira also sent for the Lord to consult Him about conducting a Rajasuya sacrifice. The timing was opportune, as by finishing off Jarasandha, Yudhishthira would become invincible and could perform the sacrifice. Krishna related Jarasandha's life to the Pandavas and everyone was convinced that he must be killed. Though he was a devotee he had misused his power to stifle others thereby violating the Dharma of a king.

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