Rajasuya Yagya

Rajasuya Yagya

 Narada came there one day after the construction of Indraprastha city was completed. He narrated the story of King Harishchandra to Yudhishthira. Harishchandra received the post of equal to Indra. Yudhishthira asked him, "What was the work that Maharaja Harishchandra did or meditated that he got the rank of Indra?"

 Narada replied, "Harishchandra got the post of equal to Indra by performing Rajasuya Yajna. He conquered seven islands before performing the Rajasuya Yajna. Whoever performs this yagna after defeating the kings of the four directions can achieve the equal position of Indra.

 After this Yudhishthira had a desire to perform Rajsuya Yagna in his mind. For this, he made necessary reforms in the first government and made it friendly to the subjects. This not only pleased the people but also increased the income of the state. Then he consulted the subordinate kings in this matter. All the kings were happy with Yudhishthira's sweet behavior. Hence, he supported performing the Rajasuya Yajna.

 The Pandavas ruled Indraprastha with great skill, ability and justice. Hence, people also requested Yudhishthira to perform Rajasuya Yajna. The Rajasuya Yajna was, in a way, a challenge for all the kings to accept the subjugation of the yagna and provide him with gifts and some money every year.

 Yudhishthira sought advice from Shri Krishna in this matter. Krishna said, "This idea of ​​yours is good. But you cannot do Rajsuya Yagna till Magadha King Jarasandha is alive and you do not defeat him. He has captured and captured many kings. Even formidable and brave kings like Shishupala fear him. I attacked Jarasandha. After three years of fierce war, we had to leave Mathura and go to Dwarka. If Duryodhana, Karna and others will not challenge you then Jarasandha will definitely challenge you. Only by accepting his challenge, defeating him and killing him can you perform the Rajsuya Yagna. By the end of Jarasandha, you can also get the fame of freeing many kings who are in captive life in his prison. "

 Yudhishthira said, "The Rajasuya Yajna is the result of the desire to accept oneself superior and superior to other kings. Excessive pride emphasizes this idea. So, I discard this idea. I have no fascination or attraction to achieve the rank of Emperor. What can we do when you consider Jarasandha to be invincible? "

 Bhima did not like Yudhishthira's sense of satisfaction and cowardice. He said, "The power and desire to achieve fame is the best quality of a king. I consider life of idle rest and contentment meaningless. With proper strategy, we can win even the strongest enemy. What cannot we do with my physical strength, Krishna's intelligence and Arjuna's battle skills? Krishna said in the middle, "Surely Jarasandha should be killed and he deserves it." He has put 86 kings in prison. He plans to sacrifice 100 kings. He is waiting to imprison fourteen kings. If Bhima and Arjun are ready, then I will go with them and the three of us together will slaughter him with stakes and free the captive kings. "

 Yudhishthira did not want to endanger his brothers, Bhima and Arjuna. Therefore, he opposed this suggestion. But Arjuna said, "If someone does not act bravely by taking birth in the Kshatriya clan, then it is useless to be born. Enthusiasm is the mother of success. If we use our energy with courage then success is certain. When we get old, we will wear ocher clothes and live in the forest with sannyas. Right now we should live a struggling life. "

 Sri Krishna was overjoyed to hear Arjuna and said, "Death comes to both the brave and the lazy, but the Kshatriyas should follow their religion and defeat the enemies in the battle field and earn fame." Finally Yudhishthira It was agreed that Jarasandha should be killed.