Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.71.6
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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dvai - rathe
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in single chariot combat
The duel form (dvai-ratha-yuddha) is dharma's chosen arena — equal terms, no army-cover. Kṛṣṇa engineers a context where Jarāsandha's massed strength cannot be deployed.
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brāhmaṇyaḥ
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devoted to brahminical culture
Brāhmaṇya names a king's vow of reverence to brāhmaṇas. The verse turns this dharma against an adharmic king: even the demon-friendly Jarāsandha must keep his vow, and that vow becomes the seam Kṛṣṇa splits.
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na pratyākhyāti
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does not refuse
Negative compound — never, in any case, refuses. The absoluteness of his vow is what makes the disguise tactic infallible; dharma binds even those who serve adharma in larger matters.
It might be argued that since only Bhīma could equal Jarāsandha in personal strength, Jarāsandha would be more powerful when supported by his huge army. Therefore, Uddhava here recommends single combat. But how could Jarāsandha be persuaded to give up the support of his powerful army? Here Uddhava gives the clue: Jarāsandha will never refuse a request from brāhmaṇas, since he is devoted to brahminical culture.
"He should be defeated by Bhima in single combat, not when he is with an army of a hundred aksauhini." "But he will engage his troops in fighting, so how can single combat be arranged?" "He will not refuse the request of a brahmana."
He can be conquered in single combat, not when he is with his hundred aukṣauhiṇīs, for otherwise he will kill the kings and destroy the wealth meant for the sacrifice. Uddhava explains the first step. He hates you and the devotees, but he is devoted to brāhmaṇas. Being in tamas he will agree since he has a desire for fame. If you ask for single combat going as you are, he will refuse, but if you ask him when disguised as a brāhmaṇa he will not refuse. He will accept.
Requested even a little, he cannot refuse because he is devoted to brāhmaṇas. Or can he not be defeated even if he has a hundred divisions? Yes, he can be. He should be fought in single combat.
- What strength of mine could become a vulnerability if used without discernment?
- Where do I need to pair commitment with judgment?
Jarāsandha's weakness — that he refuses no brāhmaṇa's request — is like a fortress with one unlocked door always reserved for the priest; the army cannot pass, but the brāhmaṇa walks straight in.
In SB 8.18–22, Lord Vāmana approaches Bali Mahārāja as a small brāhmaṇa beggar at a sacrifice and asks for three steps of land. Bali's brahmaṇya — his vow never to refuse a brāhmaṇa — is precisely what binds him to surrender everything.
Jarāsandha shares this vow without sharing Bali's heart; Kṛṣṇa exploits the rule of dharma against the demon who keeps it only externally. The verse quietly cites a long Bhāgavata pattern: brāhmaṇya is the loophole through which the Lord enters even fortified evil.
My note
Source: vedabase.io