terrible deeds, and as if to stimulate him said,--'O son of Kunti, a
foe that is fatigued cannot be pressed for if pressed at such a time
he may even die. Therefore, O son of Kunti, this king should not be
oppressed by thee. On the other hand, O bull of the Bharata race,
fight with him with thy arms, putting forth as much strength only as
thy antagonist hath now left!' Then that slayer of hostile heroes, the
son of Pandu, thus addressed by Krishna, understood the plight of
Jarasandha and forthwith resolved upon taking his life. And that
foremost of all men endued with strength, that prince of the Kuru
race, desirous of vanquishing the hitherto unvanquished Jarasandha,
mustered all his strength and courage."


SECTION XXIV

Vaisampayana said,--"thus addressed, Bhima firmly resolved upon slaying
Jarasandha, replied unto Krishna of the Yadu race, saying,--'O tiger of
the Yadu race, O Krishna, this wretch that yet stayeth before me with
sufficient strength and bent upon fight, should not be forgiven by me.'
Hearing these words of Vrikodara (Bhima), that tiger among men, Krishna,
desiring to encourage that hero to accomplish the death of Jarasandha
without any delay, answered,--'O Bhima, exhibit today upon Jarasandha the
strength thou hast luckily derived, the might thou hast obtained from (thy
father), the god Maruta.' Thus addressed by Krishna, Bhima, that slayer of
foes, holding up in the air the powerful Jarasandha, began to whirl him on
high. And, O bull of the Bharata race, having so whirled him in the air
full hundred times, Bhima pressed his knee against Jarasandha's backbone
and broke his body in twain. And having killed him thus, the mighty
Vrikodara uttered a terrible roar. And the roar of the Pandava mingling
with that death knell of Jarasandha, while he was being broken on Bhima's