109- Battles with Jarasandh, the Construction of Dwarkapuri, the Burning of Kalayavan, and the Story of Muchukund

Shukdevji tells Parikshit that Kans had two queens, Asti and Prapti. After their husband’s death, they returned to their father. Their father was Jarasandh, the king of Magadh. They narrated the cause of their sorrow. Hearing this, he was first filled with grief and then with anger. He resolved to destroy the Yadu dynasty. He prepared a massive army and, with twenty-three akshauhini divisions, surrounded Mathura from all sides.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna saw that the enemy army was extremely large and that fear had spread throughout the city. He thought that this was an appropriate opportunity to reduce the burden of the earth. He decided not to kill Jarasandh immediately, because he would return again with more armies, thereby helping in reducing the earth’s burden.

At that moment, two divine chariots appeared from the sky, filled with weapons and war equipment. Celestial weapons also manifested along with them. Shree Krishna then told His elder brother Balramji to destroy the enemy forces and protect the Yadus. Both brothers donned armour, mounted the chariots, and came out of the city.

Shree Krishna blew His Panchajanya conch. At the sound of it, the enemy army trembled. Jarasandh then challenged and insulted Shree Krishna. In response, Shree Krishna said that true warriors do not merely speak; they demonstrate their strength. With this, the battle began. Jarasandh’s army surrounded Them from all sides. For a moment, Shree Krishna and Balram were no longer visible, and the women of the city grew anxious.

Then Shree Krishna lifted His bow and began showering arrows. He started destroying elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry. At the same time, Balramji annihilated the enemies with His mace. Within a short time, the entire army was destroyed.

After this, Balramji captured Jarasandh. But Shree Krishna stopped Him and asked Him to release Jarasandh so that he could return, gather more armies, and continue aiding in the reduction of the earth’s burden. Balramji released him.

Ashamed, Jarasandh returned to his kingdom. In Mathura, everyone rejoiced at Shree Krishna’s victory. Shree Krishna brought back the wealth and ornaments obtained in the battle and offered them all to Ugrasen.

In this way, Jarasandh attacked seventeen times, each time with twenty-three akshauhini armies, and fought against the Yadus. But by the power of Bhagwan Shree Krishna, the Yadus destroyed his army every time. When his army was completely annihilated, they would spare him, and he would return to his capital.

When the eighteenth battle was about to take place, at that time, the mighty Kalayavan, sent by Naradji, appeared. There was no other warrior equal to him in battle. Hearing that the Yadus were as powerful as himself, he came with an army of three crore mlechhas and surrounded Mathura.

Seeing Kalayavan’s sudden arrival, Bhagwan Shree Krishna discussed the situation with Balramji. He said that now two dangers had arisen at once for the Yadus: on one side, Kalayavan had already laid siege, and on the other, Jarasandh would soon arrive again. If both brothers engaged in battle with Kalayavan and if Jarasandh arrived at that time, he could harm their relatives or capture them and take them away, as he was very powerful.

Therefore, they decided first to build a strong fortress that would be extremely difficult to penetrate. After securing all their relatives safely within that fortress, they would then proceed to deal with Kalayavan.

After consulting with Balramji in this way, Bhagwan Shree Krishna had a magnificent and impregnable city built within the ocean. This extraordinary city, Dwarka, extended for forty-eight kos (about 384 miles). It was designed and constructed by Vishwakarma. The city was well-planned, with proper divisions of roads, crossroads, and lanes. There were beautiful gardens and groves filled with charming trees and creepers. Tall buildings, grand gateways, and lofty balconies adorned the city. Separate granaries were built for storing food, and the palaces were richly decorated with auspicious domes (kalash) on top. People of all varnas resided there. At the centre stood the palaces of Ugrasen, Vasudev, Balramji, and Bhagwan Shree Krishna.

At that time, Indra sent the celestial Parijat tree and the Sudharma assembly hall, where those who sat would not experience hunger or thirst. Varun sent swift horses, Kubera sent his treasures, and other Lokpals also offered their divine powers.

By His Yogmaya, Bhagwan Shree Krishna transported all His relatives and kinsmen to Dwarka. To protect the remaining citizens, He kept Balramji in Mathura. Then, wearing a garland of lotuses and without carrying any weapons, Bhagwan Shree Krishna Himself came out through the main gate of the city.

When Bhagwan Shree Krishna stepped out of the main gate of Mathura, He appeared like the rising moon in the eastern sky. His dark-complexioned form was exquisitely beautiful. He was dressed in a silken pitambar, the Shrivatsa mark shone upon His chest, and the Kaustubh jewel sparkled around His neck.

He had four long and powerful arms. His eyes were soft and reddish like fully blossomed lotuses. His face radiated divine joy, His cheeks were charming, and His gentle smile captivated all who saw Him. Makara-shaped earrings shone in His ears.

Seeing Him, Kalayavan became certain, “This must be Vaasudev. The characteristics described by Naradji Shrivatsa on the chest, four arms, lotus-like eyes, a forest garland, and unmatched beauty are all present in Him. Therefore, He can be no one else.”

He further thought, “At this moment He is approaching me on foot without any weapons. So I, too, will confront Him without weapons.” With this resolve, Kalayavan ran towards Bhagwan Shree Krishna. But Shree Krishna turned in another direction and began to walk away from the battlefield. Kalayavan chased after Him, trying to catch Him, but Bhagwan is not easily attained even for great yogis.

Shree Krishna continued moving ahead, enacting His divine play. At every step, Kalayavan thought, “Now I have caught Him, now I have caught Him.” In this way, Bhagwan led him far away to a mountain cave.

All the while, Kalayavan shouted from behind, “You are born in the great Yadu dynasty, how does it befit you to flee from battle like this?” But because his sins were not yet exhausted, he could not attain Bhagwan.

Kalayavan kept speaking, while Bhagwan Shree Krishna entered a cave. Kalayavan followed Him inside. There, he saw another man lying in deep sleep. Seeing him, Kalayavan thought, “He has brought me all the way here and now lies sleeping as if he knows nothing, like some ascetic.” Thinking this, the foolish Kalayavan kicked the sleeping person forcefully.

That person had been asleep for a very long time. On being struck, he awoke and slowly opened his eyes. Looking around, he saw Kalayavan standing nearby. Being awakened in such a manner, he became slightly angry. The moment his gaze fell upon Kalayavan, fire blazed from his body, and Kalayavan was instantly reduced to ashes.

King Parikshit then asks, “Who was that person whose mere glance burnt Kalayavan to ashes? To which dynasty did he belong, and why was he sleeping in that cave?”

Shukdevji replies, “He was King Muchukund of the Ikshvaku dynasty. He was a devotee of brahmins, firm in truth, and always victorious in battle. At one time, the devatas, such as Indra, were frightened by the asuras and sought his help. Muchukund protected them for a long time. Later, when the devatas obtained Kartikeya as their commander, they told Muchukund to take rest. They said, ‘You have given up your kingdom and comforts for our sake. Now even the people of your time are no more; all have been taken away by Kaal.’

The devatas then asked him to ask for a boon, stating that they could grant anything except moksha, as liberation can be granted only by Bhagwan. Upon hearing this, King Muchukund offered them respect and, being extremely tired, asked for the boon of uninterrupted sleep. After receiving this boon, he went to a mountain cave and fell into deep slumber.

At that time, the devatas had also said, ‘O King! If any foolish person wakes you while you are asleep, he will be reduced to ashes the very moment your gaze falls upon him.’”

After Kalayavan was reduced to ashes, Bhagwan Shree Krishna appeared before King Muchukund. Seeing Him, Muchukund was astonished. He asked, “Who are You? What is the reason for Your coming into this forest and cave? Are You Agni, Surya, Chandra, Indra, or some other devata? Or are You Narayan among Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv?”

Muchukund then introduced himself, saying that he was a kshatriya of the Ikshvaku dynasty, the son of Mandhata. He had been exhausted from staying awake for a long time and was therefore sleeping in the cave. Someone had awakened him, and that person had been burnt to ashes by his glance.

Then Bhagwan Shree Krishna said, “My births, names, and actions are infinite; no one can fully count them. Still, listen. At the request of Brahmaji, I have been born into the Yadu dynasty, in the house of Vasudev, to protect Dharma and lighten the burden on the earth. Therefore, I am known as Vaasudev.

“I have destroyed Kans and many other wicked beings. This Kalayavan too has been burnt by your glance through My arrangement. I have come here to give you My darshan and to bless you, because you have worshipped Me in the past. Therefore, ask from Me whatever boon you desire. One who takes shelter in Me never has to lament for anything again.”

Hearing these words from Bhagwan Shree Krishna, King Muchukund remembered Garg Muni's prophecy that Bhagwan would appear in the Yadu dynasty. Filled with joy, he bowed at Bhagwan’s lotus feet and began to offer prayers. He said, “I desire nothing except service to Your lotus feet. Your devotion alone is supreme. Therefore, giving up all desires, I have taken shelter in You. I was afflicted by suffering; now I seek refuge in You. Please protect me.”

Bhagwan Shree Krishna replied, “O King, your resolve is pure. I offered you a boon, yet you did not become entangled in desires. The intellect of My devotees remains steady. Those who are not devoted to Me, even if they try to control their minds, become entangled in sense objects.

“Now, surrender your mind to Me and wander upon the earth. Your devotion will remain firm. While performing your kshatriya duties, you have killed many animals during hunting. Now purify yourself through tapasya. In your next birth, you will become a brahmin, a well-wisher of all, and ultimately attain Me.”

Shukdevji says that after receiving Bhagwan Shree Krishna’s grace, King Muchukund circumambulated Him, offered his obeisance, and came out of the cave. When he stepped outside, he saw that humans, animals, and trees had all become much smaller than before. From this, he understood that a new age had begun.

After this, he proceeded towards the north. Fixing his mind on Bhagwan Shree Krishna, he travelled through the Gandhamadan mountains and reached Badrikashram, the abode of Bhagwan Nar-Narayan. There, in a state of peace, he engaged in tapasya and worshipped Bhagwan.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 04.05.2026