Rajasuyam - Karthika Thirunal(1724 to 1798)                                                                         BACK

This is a popular story with two different acting and dressing styles. This story is taken from Sabha Parva of Mahabharatha.

When Krishna was happily conversing with Rukmini and Sathyabhama a messenger arrives on the scene. He tells that the demon Jarasandha, king of Magadha, was catching kings from neighbouring countries and putting them in his jail and all kings are in great danger. At the same time Narada also arrives on the scene and tells that Yudhishtira is about to start the Rajasuya Yaga and he is wanted there. Krishna sees an opportunity in the messages and tells the messenger that his problem will be sorted and and also proceeds to Indraprastha to attend the Yaga. Krishna arrives at Indraprastha and tells Yudhishtira to start the Yaga.

But there is a rule that enemies have to be subdued before starting the Rajasuya Yaga. So Krishna selects Bhima and Arjuna and together they go to Magadha in the dress of ordinary brahmins. Bhima invites Jarasandha for a wrestling bout and tries to kill him. But every time he tears apart Jarasandha he comes out and fights with renewed vigour. Seeing this Krishna tells Bhima to tear him up and and put the two pieces in opposite direction. Thus the terrble demon was killed. Yudhishtira starts the Yaga by declaring Krishna as the Guest Of Honour. However this is opposed by his own uncle Shishupala who says Krishna is not fit to be thus honoured. He goes on rediculing Krishna until ultimately Krishna takes up his divne disc and cuts the head of Shishupala. Then the Yaga proceeds to its conclusion.

In this story the vesha of Jarasandha and Shishupala are Kathi and Beard respectively in one style but they are Beard and Kathi respectively in another style. Krishna, Yudhishtira and other kings are Pacha vesham. The brahmins are minuku.