nd energy,
yet from the oppressions of Jarasandha we have been obliged to repair to
the mountains of Gomanta, measuring three Yojanas in length. Within each
yojana have been established one and twenty posts of armed men. And at
intervals of each yojana are hundred gates with arches which are defended
by valourous heroes engaged in guarding them. And innumerable Kshatriyas
invincible in war, belonging to the eighteen younger branches of the
Yadavas, are employed in defending these works. In our race, O king,
there are full eighteen thousand brothers and cousins. Ahuka hath had a
hundred sons, each of whom is almost like a god (in prowess), Charudeshna
with his brother Chakradeva, Satyaki, myself, Valadeva the son of Rohini,
and my son Samva who is equal unto me in battle--these seven, O king are
Atirathas. Besides these, there are others, O king, whom I shall
presently name. They are Kritavarman, Anadhrishti, Samika, Samitinjaya,
Kanka, Sanku and Kunti. These seven are Maharathas. There are also two
sons of Andhakabhoja, and the old king himself. Endued with great energy
these are all heroes, each mighty as the thunderbolt. These Maharathas,
choosing the middle country, are now living amongst the Vrishnis. O thou
best of the Bharata line, thou alone art worthy of being an emperor. It
behoveth thee, O Bharata, to establish thy empire over all the
Kshatriyas. But this is my judgment, O king, that thou wilt not be able
to celebrate the Rajasuya sacrifice as long as the mighty Jarasandha
liveth. By him have been immured in his hillfort numerous monarchs, like
a lion that hath deposited the slain bodies of mighty elephants within a
cave of the king of mountains. O slayer of all enemies, king Jarasandha,
desirous of offering in sacrifice hundred monarchs, adored for his fierce
ascetic penances the illustrious god of gods, the lord of Uma. It is by
this means that the kings of the earth have been vanquished by
Jarasandha. And, O best of monarchs, he hath by that means been able to
fulfil the vow he had made relative to his sacrifice. By defeating the
kings with their troops and bringing all of them as captives into this
city, he had swelled its crowds enormously. We also, O king, from fear of
Jarasandha, at one time had to leave Mathura and fly to the city of
Dwaravati. If, O great king, thou desirest to perform this sacrifice,
strive to release the kings confined by Jarasandha, as also to compass
his death. O son of the Kuru rac