From the Publisher
Jarasandha was the emperor of Aryavarta (north
India) at the time when the Pandavas were ruling
at Indraprastha. Most of the kings of North India
acknowledged his suzerainty out of fear. Many of
those who did not, had been imprisoned by him. To
establish the supremacy of the Pandavas it was
necessary to subdue Jarasandha.
Though Jarasandha
was considered invincible, he had a vital flaw and
Krishna knew this. Jarasandha had a split,
personality, in a purely physical sense. He was
born split and it was the (black) magical touch of
a sorceress that had joined the two halves to
complete the man. This joint was at once the
source of his strength and his weakness.
Mighty men of
mythology, be they of the East or of the West,
were always characterized by at vital flaw which,
in reverse, would turn out to be a vital asset,
Karma's Kavacha (armour) and Achilles' heels are
classic examples. The secret of the heroes'
strength often remained locked in this dual nature
of their gifts. Only one who knew the secret could
vanquish them. Jarasandha’s weak point was known
only to Krishna. How he brings about the fall of
the mighty and evil emperor is narrated in this
Amar Chitra Katha, based on the Bhagawat Purana
arid the Mahabharata.
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