त्रयाणां केन ते राजन्योद्धुमुत्सहते मनः। अस्मदन्यतमेनेह सज्जीभवतु को युधि
Which of us three, O king, does your mind wish to fight? Let one of us here be ready for battle.
एवमुक्तः स नृपतिर्युद्धं वव्रे महाद्युतिः। जरासन्धस्ततो राजा भीमसेनेन मागधः
Thus addressed, the radiant king Jarasandha, ruler of Magadha, chose to fight with Bhimasena.
धारयन्तं गदां दिव्यां बलं श्रुत्वा च निर्वृतः। अर्जुन वासुदेवं च वजर्यित्वा स मागधः
Hearing of his strength and seeing him holding a divine mace, the Magadhan, content, dismissed Arjuna and Vasudeva.
मत्वा देवं गोप इति बालोऽर्जुन इति स्म ह'। आदाय रोजनां माल्यं मङ्गल्यान्यपराणि च
Thinking Vasudeva a cowherd and Arjuna a mere boy, he took garlands of rojana flowers and other auspicious items.
धारयन्नगदान्मुख्यान्निर्वृतीर्वेदनानि च। उपतस्थे जरासन्धं युयुत्सुं वै पुरोहितः
Bearing foremost maces and implements for pleasure and pain, the priest approached Jarasandha, who was eager for battle.
कृतस्वस्त्ययनो राजा ब्राह्मणेन यशस्विना। समनह्यज्जरासन्धः क्षात्रं धर्ममनुस्मरन्
After the illustrious Brahmin performed the rites for auspiciousness, Jarasandha prepared himself, remembering the warrior's code.
अवमुच्य किरीटं स केशान्समनुमृज्य च। दतिष्ठज्जरासन्धो वेलातिग इवार्णवः
He removed his crown, smoothed his hair, and stood firm like the ocean exceeding its bounds.
उवाच मतिमान्राजा भीमं भीमपराक्रमः। भीम योत्स्ये त्वया सार्धं श्रेयसा निर्जितं वरम्
The wise king, mighty in valor, spoke to Bhima: 'Bhima, I will fight you, for you are the best among the victorious.'
एवमुक्त्वा जरासन्धो भीमसेनमरिन्दमः। प्रत्युद्ययौ महातेजाः शक्रं बल इवासुरः
Having spoken thus, Jarasandha, the subduer of foes, advanced toward Bhimasena with great energy, like an Asura toward Indra.
ततः संमन्त्र्य कृष्णेन कृतस्वस्त्ययनो बली। भीमसेनो जरासन्धमाससाद युयुत्सया
Then, after conferring with Krishna and having completed the auspicious rites, the mighty Bhimasena approached Jarasandha, eager for battle.
ततस्तौ नरशार्दूलौ बाहुशस्त्रौ समीयतुः। वीरौ परमसंहृष्टावन्योन्यजयकाङ्क्षिणौ
Then those two tiger-like men, skilled in the weapons of their arms, approached each other—heroes, exceedingly exhilarated, each desiring victory over the other.
करग्रहणपूर्वं तु कृत्वा पादाभिवन्दनम्। कक्षैः कक्षां विधुन्वानावास्फोटं तत्र चक्रतुः
First, after respectfully bowing at each other's feet and grasping hands, they locked arms at the armpits and struck each other there.
स्कन्धे दोर्भ्यां समाहत्य निहत्य च मुहुर्मुहुः। अङ्गमङ्गैः समाश्लिष्य पुनरास्फालनं च चक्रतुः
Clasping each other's shoulders with their arms, striking again and again, they entwined limb with limb and resumed their fierce blows.
चित्रहस्तादिकं कृत्वा सस्फुलिङ्गेन चाशनिम्।। गलगण्डाभिघातेन सस्फुलिङ्गेन चाशनिम्
Performing intricate hand techniques, they struck with force like thunderbolts with sparks, and by blows to the cheeks and neck, sparks seemed to fly like lightning.
बाहुपाशादिकं कृत्वा पादाहतशिरावुभौ। उरोहस्तं ततश्चक्रे पूर्णकुम्भौ प्रयुज्य तौ
Employing arm-locks and other holds, both struck each other's heads with their feet; then, using the 'full pitcher' hold, they pressed against each other's chests.
करसम्पीडनं कृत्वा गर्जन्तौ वारणाविव। नर्दन्तौ मेघसङ्काशौ बाहुप्रहरणावुभौ
Crushing each other's hands, they roared like elephants, bellowing like thunderclouds, both wielding their arms as weapons.
तलेनाहन्यमानौ तु अन्योन्यं कृतवीक्षणौ। सिंहाविव सुसंङ्क्रुद्धावाकृष्याकृष्य युध्यताम्
Striking each other with their palms, glaring fiercely, they fought like enraged lions, pulling and dragging one another.
अङ्गेनाङ्गं समापीड्य बाहुभ्यामुभयोरपि। आवृत्य बाहुभिश्चापि उदरं च प्रचक्रतुः
Pressing limb against limb with their arms, both wrapped their arms around each other's waists and bellies.
उभौ कट्यां सुपार्श्वे तु तक्षवन्तौ च शिक्षितौ। अधो हस्तं स्वकण्ठे तूदरस्योरसि चाक्षिपत्
Both, well-trained and skilled, struck at each other's hips and sides, and threw their hands from their own necks to the other's belly and chest.
सर्वातिक्रान्तमर्यादं पृष्ठभङ्गं च चक्रतुः। सम्पूर्णमूर्च्छां बाहुभ्यां पूर्णकुम्भं प्रचक्रतुः
They broke all limits and performed back-breaking holds, using their arms to apply the 'full pitcher' lock until both were nearly unconscious.
तृणपीडं यथाकामं पूर्णयोगं समुष्टिकम्। एवमादीनि युद्धानि प्रकुर्वन्तौ परस्परम्
They performed wrestling techniques such as the 'grass press,' the 'full union,' and the 'fist lock,' and many other such contests against each other.
तयोर्युद्धं ततो द्रष्टुं समेताः पुरवासिनाः। ब्राह्मणा वणिजश्चैव क्षत्रियाश्च सहस्रशः
Then, to witness their battle, the city dwellers gathered—Brahmins, merchants, and thousands of Kshatriyas.
शूद्राश्च नरशार्दूल स्त्रियो वृद्धाश्च सर्वशः। निरन्तरमभूत्तत्र जनौघैरभिसंवृतम्
Shudras, tiger-like men, women, and elders—all assembled there, and the place was densely crowded with throngs of people.
तयोरथ भुजाघातान्निग्रहप्रग्रहात्तथा। आसीत्सुभीमसम्पातो वज्रपर्वतयोरिव
From their arm-blows, grappling and counter-grappling, there arose a tremendous impact, as if between a thunderbolt and a mountain.
उभौ परमसंहृष्टौ बलेन बलिनां वरौ। अन्योन्यस्यान्तरं प्रेप्सू परस्परजयैषिणौ
Both were exceedingly exhilarated, foremost among the strong, each seeking an opening in the other, both desiring victory over their rival.
शिरोभिरिव तौ मेषौ वृक्षैरिव निशाचरौ। पदैरिव शुभावश्वौ तुण्डाभ्यां तित्तिरी इव
They were like rams butting with their heads, like night-stalkers with trees, like noble horses with their hooves, like partridges with their beaks.
तद्भीममुत्सार्य जनं युद्धमासीदुपप्लवे। बलिनोः संयुगे राजन्वृत्रवासवयोरिव
Then, Bhima pushed the crowd aside, and the battle became tumultuous; O King, the contest of those strong men was like that of Vritra and Indra.
प्रकर्षणाकर्षणाभ्यामनुकर्षविकर्षणैः। आचकर्षतुरन्योन्यं जानुभिश्चावजघ्नतुः
With pulling, dragging, counter-pulling, and twisting, they hauled each other about and struck with their knees.
ततः शब्देन महता भर्त्सयन्तौ परस्परम्। पाषाणसङ्घातनिभैः प्रहारैरभिजघ्नतुः
Then, with a great noise, the two rebuked each other, striking with blows like the collision of rocks.
ततो भीमं जरासन्धो जघानोरसि मुष्टिना। भीमोषि तं जरासन्धं वक्षस्यभिजघान ह
Thereupon, Jarasandha struck Bhima on the chest with his fist; Bhima, in turn, struck Jarasandha on the chest.