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The king of Magadha Brihadratha was a pious king married to the twin sisters, He was living in a forest with his wives as an ascetic as he did not have any children. Sage Chandkaushika who was doing penance in that forest knew about king's sorrow. He gave him a fruit and said, "give this to your queen and she will be blessed with a son." King gave half part of fruit to each queen. In due course both the queens gave birth to two monsters like beings. They were only half the portions of a child born to each. They became very sad and threw the half bodies in the forest. There a rakshi(Demon) named Jara got the pieces and was happily going to eat them. But accidentally she put both the pieces together and a child came alive. She brought the child to the king and told him about the miracle, king was very grateful to her and in her honour, he named the child in Jarasandha. Sage Chandra Kaushika told the king that the child was exceptionally gifted and he would be a great devotee of Lord Shiva.Jarasandha was an ardent worshipper and devotee of Shiva. He had done many sacrifices and penance in the honour of Lord Shiva.
Krishna, Bhima and Arjuna reached Magadha. Disguised as brahmin they entered Jarasandha's palace by window. They wanted to meet him. Jarasandha was busy with his daily worship of Lord Shiva and sent the word that he would see them after his worship around mid-night and asked the attendant
to offer all hospitalities to the brahmins. When Jarasandha came he found that Krishna, Bhima and Arjuna had not availed of his hospitality and they had entered the palace through a window. He was intrigued and wanted to know the reason for such un-brahmin like conduct Krishna told him about their mission.
When Jarasandha got a respite from his laughing spell he said, "you have run away from the battle-field eighteen times, how can I fight you? Arjuna is a mere child. Bhima looks to be well built youth. He is fit to fight with me." A great duel between Bhima and Jarasandha lasting for over fourteen days took place. Finally Bhima, prompted by Krishna killed Jarasandha by splitting him in two by his legs. They freed many kings whom Jarasandha had kept captive for sacrificing them to Lord Shiva. They appointed Jarasandha sons Sahadeva as king in his place and came back to Indraprastha.
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