The Miraculous Birth of Jarasandh

The Childless King: Brihadrath's Royal Dilemma

King Brihadrath, the ruler of Magadh, was married to two queens from Kashi. Unfortunately, the king had no children, and he started worrying about this as he got older.

The Rishi's Arrival: King Brihadrath Seeks Blessings

Once, Rishi Chandrakaushik came to Magadh. For some time, he sat beneath a mango tree. King Brihadrath received the news of the rishi's arrival and immediately set out to seek his blessings.

The Falling Mango: A Moment of Destiny

The king touched the rishi's feet and told him about his unhappiness about having no children. The rishi had just closed his eyes and begun to meditate when a mango fell from the tree.

The Divided Mango: A Royal Mishap

The rishi picked up the fruit, gave it to the king, and told him to have one of his queens eat it. The king gave the mango to his queens. Alas, the two queens split the mango into two halves, and each ate half a mango.

The Half-Born Heirs: A Royal Secret

Nine months later, each queen bore half a baby! The queens ordered a servant to dispose of the two halves at a secluded spot outside the city.

The Miracle of Jara: Birth of Jarasandh

A demoness called Jara saw the two halves of the baby and put them on a plate to eat them. And voila—the two halves joined into one baby boy, who started moving and crying! The baby was named Jarasandh (meaning "joined by Jara").