SB 10.71.6 · Srimad-Bhagavatam

Devanagari

द्वैरथे स तु जेतव्यो मा शताक्षौहिणीयुत: । ब्राह्मण्योऽभ्यर्थितो विप्रैर्न प्रत्याख्याति कर्हिचित् ॥ ६ ॥

Verse text

dvai-rathe sa tu jetavyo mā śatākṣauhiṇī-yutaḥ brāhmaṇyo ’bhyarthito viprair na pratyākhyāti karhicit

Synonyms

dvai — rathe — in combat involving only two chariots ; saḥ — he ; tu — but ; jetavyaḥ — is to be defeated ; mā — not ; śata — by one hundred ; akṣauhiṇī — military divisions ; yutaḥ — joined ; brāhmaṇyaḥ — devoted to brahminical culture ; abhyarthitaḥ — entreated ; vipraiḥ — by brāhmaṇas ; na pratyākhyāti — does not refuse ; karhicit — ever .

Translation

He will be defeated in a match of single chariots, not when he is with his hundred military divisions. Now, Jarāsandha is so devoted to brahminical culture that he never refuses requests from brāhmaṇas.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

He will be defeated in a match of single chariots, not when he is with his hundred military divisions. Now, Jarāsandha is so devoted to brahminical culture that he never refuses requests from brāhmaṇas. KB 10.71.6 “The best thing would be for Bhīmasena to fight alone with him. Then there would be no unnecessary killing of many soldiers. In fact, Jarāsandha will be very difficult to conquer when he stands with his akṣauhiṇī divisions of soldiers. We may therefore adopt a policy more favorable to the situation. We know that King Jarāsandha is very much devoted to the brāhmaṇas and very charitably disposed toward them; he never refuses any request from a brāhmaṇa.

Purport

It might be argued that since only Bhīma could equal Jarāsandha in personal strength, Jarāsandha would be more powerful when supported by his huge army. Therefore, Uddhava here recommends single combat. But how could Jarāsandha be persuaded to give up the support of his powerful army? Here Uddhava gives the clue: Jarāsandha will never refuse a request from brāhmaṇas, since he is devoted to brahminical culture.

Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

"He should be defeated by Bhima in single combat, not when he is with an army of a hundred aksauhini." "But he will engage his troops in fighting, so how can single combat be arranged?" "He will not refuse the request of a brahmana."

Purport (Jiva Goswami)

He can be conquered in single combat, not when he is with his hundred aukṣauhiṇīs, for otherwise he will kill the kings and destroy the wealth meant for the sacrifice. Uddhava explains the first step. He hates you and the devotees, but he is devoted to brāhmaṇas. Being in tamas he will agree since he has a desire for fame. If you ask for single combat going as you are, he will refuse, but if you ask him when disguised as a brāhmaṇa he will not refuse. He will accept.

Purport (Sanatana Goswami)

Requested even a little, he cannot refuse because he is devoted to brāhmaṇas. Or can he not be defeated even if he has a hundred divisions? Yes, he can be. He should be fought in single combat.