King Brihadratha, Jarasandha’s father, had married the twin daughters of the King of Kasi. But he was unhappy as he had no children. Chandrakaushika rishi was happy with the respect paid to him by the King and his wives. He gave a mango to the king who gave each of his wives half of it. In due time, each had one half of a child. Frightened, they threw the pieces away. A demoness, Jara, found the two pieces and was going to eat them. But when she tied them up in cloth to take them, the pieces fitted together and formed the child who came to be called Jarasandha. The king and his queens were delighted to have their child back. Sage Chandrakaushika blessed the child and said he would be handsome and strong. The only way to kill him would be to separate the two parts, in a single combat.
Birth of Jarasandha
