Knowing the secret of Jarāsandha’s birth and death, and that his life was sustained by the being named Jara, Hari—Lord Krishna—infused Pārtha (Arjuna) with his own divine energy, contemplating the best way to end their formidable enemy. After careful thought, Krishna, whose vision is unfailing, signaled Bhīma by tearing a branch, demonstrating the method to defeat Jarāsandha. Bhīma, mighty and foremost among warriors, understood Krishna’s sign. Seizing Jarāsandha by the feet, Bhīma hurled him to the ground. Placing one foot firmly on Jarāsandha’s leg and grasping the other with his powerful arms, Bhīma tore him apart from the anus, just as a great elephant splits a branch. Those present witnessed the body split into two distinct parts: one half with a single leg, thigh, testicle, hip, back, breast, and shoulder; the other with one arm, eye, brow, and ear. A great cry arose from the people at the slaying of the king of Magadha. Bhīma was embraced and honored, along with the victorious and infallible heroes. The Lord, creator of all beings and master of himself, anointed Sahadeva, Jarāsandha’s son, as king of the Magadhas, and released the kings whom Jarāsandha had imprisoned. Thus concludes the seventy-second chapter, “The Slaying of Jarāsandha,” in the second half of the Tenth Book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Śuka continued: Sixteen thousand eight hundred kings, defeated in battle and imprisoned, emerged from the mountain cave, their bodies dirty and clad in soiled garments. Emaciated from hunger, their faces dried up and tormented by confinement, they beheld before them the dark-complexioned one, dressed in radiant yellow silk. They saw Krishna, marked with the Śrīvatsa, four-armed, with lotus-like reddish eyes, a beautiful and gracious face, and shining makara-shaped earrings. He held a lotus, mace, conch, and discus; adorned with crown, necklace, bracelets, girdle, and armlets. His neck shone with the finest jewels and was garlanded with forest flowers. The kings drank him in with their eyes, as if tasting him with their tongues, seemed to smell him with their noses, and embrace him with their arms. Freed from sin, they bowed their heads at Hari’s feet. Delighted by the sight of Krishna, the fatigue of captivity vanished. With palms joined, the kings praised Hṛṣīkeśa with heartfelt words: “Salutations to you, Lord of gods, imperishable remover of distress for those who seek refuge! We have sought your shelter, O Krishna—protect us, weary of the terrible cycle of birth and death. “O Madhusūdana, we do not blame you for the loss of our kingdoms to the Magadhan. For us, your favor is the true cause. A king, swollen with pride in sovereignty and riches, does not attain true welfare; deluded by your māyā, he considers impermanent wealth unshakable. Just as children imagine water in a mirage, so do those lacking discernment mistake illusion for reality. “Formerly, blinded by prosperity’s intoxication, driven by the desire to conquer, we competed with one another, mercilessly destroying our own subjects, O Lord, heedless of death before us. Those riches, O Krishna, have been swept away by your profound and irresistible power; by time, by your form, and by your compassion, our pride is destroyed, and we remember your feet. “Therefore, we no longer desire a kingdom, which is like a mirage, with a body ever subject to decay and pain. O Lord, we long to worship you, for the fruit of such acts, both in this life and after, is pleasing to the ear. Instruct us in the means by which, even as we wander in this world, our remembrance of your lotus feet may never cease. Obeisance again and again to Krishna, son of Vasudeva, to Hari, the Supreme Self, to Govinda, destroyer of the distress of those who take refuge in him.” Śuka said: Thus praised by the freed kings, the compassionate Lord, shelter of all, addressed them with gentle words. Krishna spoke: “From this day forth, O kings, firm devotion to me—the Self, the Lord of all—will arise in you, as you have earnestly desired. By good fortune, you have resolved rightly and spoken truthfully; see how pride in wealth and power drives men mad. Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Vena, Rāvaṇa, Naraka, and others—lords of gods, demons, and men—were cast down by pride in prosperity. “Knowing this, that all arising from the body and so on is perishable, worship me through sacrifices and protect your subjects with righteousness. Sustaining the threads of your people, experiencing happiness and sorrow, birth and death as they come, serve what comes your way, and move about with your minds fixed on me. Detached from body and so forth, delighting in the Self, firm in your vows, fixing your minds wholly on me, you shall attain Brahman at the end.” Śuka continued: Having thus instructed the kings, Krishna, Lord of the world, assigned attendants for the bathing ceremony of their wives. Ceremonial worship was performed by Sahadeva, with garments, ornaments, garlands, and ointments fit for royalty. After bathing and adorning them, Krishna fed the kings with excellent food, provided them with various enjoyments and betel, and other items befitting their station. Honored by Mukunda, the kings, with shining earrings, freed from distress, shone like planets released from the rainy season. Krishna had their chariots, adorned with jewels and gold and yoked with fine horses, prepared, and, pleasing them with kind words, sent them back to their own lands. Thus, rescued from hardship by the greatly noble Krishna, they departed, meditating on him and the deeds of the Lord of the universe. The people marveled at the actions of the Supreme Person and, as the Lord directed, diligently carried out their duties. After Jarasandha was slain by Bhimasena, Krishna, honored by Sahadeva and accompanied by the two sons of Pritha, departed. Upon reaching Khandavaprastha, the victorious heroes sounded their conchshells, delighting their friends and causing distress to their enemies.