After the great burning of the Khāṇḍava forest, Agni was satisfied, and Maya, whom Arjuna had freed, built a splendid, divine assembly hall for King Yudhishthira. Krishna, together with Arjuna—also known as Phālguna—remained for several months in Indraprastha, wishing to please the king. They roamed about in chariots, surrounded by mighty warriors, enjoying the company and the grandeur of the court. In the midst of this prosperity, a new chapter unfolded. One day, Śuka narrates, Yudhishthira sat in the grand assembly, surrounded by sages, brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and his brothers. Teachers, elders of the lineage, relatives, and kinsmen were all present, listening intently as Yudhishthira addressed Krishna. “O Govinda,” he said, “by the royal sacrifice, the Rājasūya, I wish to worship you and glorify your name. O Lord, please arrange this for us.” He continued, praising Krishna, “Those who walk in your footsteps, meditate on you, and sing your praises, O lotus-naveled one, attain liberation from worldly existence. If they desire blessings, let them seek them from you alone, for none other can grant them.” Yudhishthira then asked, “O Lord of lords, let the world witness the effect of service to your lotus feet. Among those who worship you, and those who do not, let the true standing of the Kurus and Sṛñjayas be revealed.” He acknowledged Krishna’s impartiality, “For you, who are the soul of all and perceive equally, there is no notion of difference between self and others. Like a wish-fulfilling tree, your favor arises according to the service rendered, never otherwise.” Krishna replied warmly, “O king, destroyer of enemies, your resolve is proper. By this, your auspicious fame will be experienced throughout the worlds. This great sacrifice is desired by sages, ancestors, gods, friends—even by us—and by all beings. But first, you must conquer all kings and bring the world under your control. Gather all the necessary materials and perform the great sacrifice. These brothers of yours are born from portions of the guardians of the worlds. I am conquered by your self-mastery, though I am unconquerable by those who lack it. No one in this world surpasses me in power, fame, wealth, or opulence—not even the gods, much less earthly kings.” Hearing these words, Yudhishthira’s face bloomed with delight. Empowered by Viṣṇu’s energy, he sent his brothers to conquer the directions: Sahadeva with the Sṛñjayas to the south, Nakula to the west, Arjuna to the north, and Bhīma to the east, accompanied by the Matsyas, Kekayas, and Madras. These valiant brothers, by their strength, overcame the kings in all directions and brought abundant wealth to Yudhishthira, who was preparing for the sacrifice. Yet, one king remained unconquered—Jarāsandha. As Yudhishthira pondered how to overcome him, Krishna spoke of the means, recalling what Uddhava had previously described. Bhīmasena, Arjuna, and Krishna, disguised as Brahmins, set out for Girivraja, the city of Jarāsandha, son of Bṛhadratha. Arriving at the proper time for guests, they entered the house of Jarāsandha, acting according to custom. They announced their arrival, “O king, know that guests have arrived—seekers who have come from afar. Grant us, O fortunate one, what we desire.” They spoke words of wisdom: “What is unbearable for the patient? What is improper for the unrighteous? What is not to be given by the generous? Who is superior to those who see all equally?” They reminded him, “He who, with his impermanent body, does not earn lasting fame among the virtuous, though able, is truly pitiable. Hariścandra, Rantideva, Śibi, Bali, the hunter, the pigeon—all attained the eternal by means of the impermanent.” Jarāsandha, recognizing their voices, appearances, and the bowstring scars on their hands, recalled seeing them before. He pondered, “These relatives of the royal order bear the marks of Brahmins. I will give even my own self, which is difficult to relinquish, as alms to them.” He remembered the fame of Bali, which remained pure and widespread even after Vishnu, disguised as a Brahmin, deprived him of his wealth. “Desiring Indra’s wealth, Vishnu received the earth from Bali, who, though aware and restrained, still gave it. What purpose does the body of a kshatriya relative serve, if living only for the sake of Brahmins? When the body falls here, great fame is attained.” With noble intent, Jarāsandha addressed Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhīmasena, “O Brahmins, choose your desire; I will give even my own head to you.” Krishna answered, “O king, grant us battle, if you consider it fitting to fight in pairs. We have come seeking combat, desiring nothing else but battle with the royal order. This is Bhīmasena, O Partha; his brother is Arjuna. Know me, Krishna, as their maternal uncle and your enemy.” Jarāsandha laughed loudly and, angered, replied, “Then, I will grant you battle, O fools. I will not fight with you, coward, whose valor is uncertain; you abandoned your own city, Mathura, and took refuge by the sea. This one is equal to me in age, but not in strength; Arjuna is not fit to fight, but Bhīma is equal in might to me.” He gave a great mace to Bhīmasena, took another himself, and went out from the city. The two heroes, equally matched, met on the field, wild with battle, striking each other with maces as mighty as thunderbolts. Their fight shone as they moved in intricate circles, to the left and right, like dancers on a stage. The sound of their maces striking was like the crash of thunderbolts, as they hurled them like the tusks of elephants clashing. With the speed of their arms, the maces struck shoulders, hips, feet, knees, and heads, shattering as the branches of the sun are broken when two blazing elephants fight. Thus, the epic contest between Bhīma and Jarāsandha began, heralding the next great step in Yudhishthira’s quest for the Rājasūya sacrifice.