Saturday, April 11, 2015

A-Z April Challenge 2015: J for JARASANDHA’S REIGN OF TERROR

1. The queens giving birth to two halves of one baby; 2. Jara, the demon brings the two halves together to give life to Jarasandha
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At sixteen, the Prince of Magadha was built like a small mountain. And he had a temper to match. What drove him was hatred. When he was born, Jarasandha had been thrown out with the garbage, literally. His eyes turned red as the prince refused to shed the tears of anger that drove him to violence. Neither of his mothers – he had two unlike the rest of the world – had wanted him. Both the royal queens had shun him at birth. Was it his fault that he had been born in two pieces?

 While the demon Jara had had the sense to bring the two halves of his body together and breathe life into him, his own parents had just thrown him away. Jarasandha paced up and down the corridor, restless. He had to become the greatest emperor on earth and prove to the king and his queens that he did not need them at any level. 

 He turned around to slap the maid servant who had brought him a glass of wine. A sneer turned Jarasandha’s face harsher than ever. Yes! He had no use for women. He hated the species. Once he was emperor, he would turn all women into slaves, to serve him and his warriors.

 And thus began Jarasandha’s reign of terror... 

 Click Here to read the story of Jarasandha’s birth... 



Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015

Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur Uppal
I Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh

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48 comments:

  1. Vinay Leo R.April 11, 2015 at 12:23 AM

    I knew of Jarasandha, but not his tale. It was interesting to read it :)

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  2. Preethi VenugopalaApril 11, 2015 at 12:34 AM

    Poor Jarasandha. He craved recognition and love from his mothers. His story would have been different if he had been loved by both of them. Right?

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 11, 2015 at 1:26 AM

      Exactly my point! Thank you for stopping by Preethi :)

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  3. Shanaya TalesApril 11, 2015 at 12:37 AM

    I was aware of Jarasandha's birth story, but not of his hatred towards women. I guess after his mothers disowned him, he felt he had good reason to hate the species.
    *Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 11, 2015 at 1:27 AM

      He sure had no respect for women. Thank you for stopping by Shanaya :)

      Delete
  4. Devika FernandoApril 11, 2015 at 11:24 AM

    Terrifying. Goes to show how much the upbringing influences someone.

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  5. AnonymousApril 11, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    I never knew this story..beautifully narrated..

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  6. Prasanna RaoApril 11, 2015 at 2:45 PM

    That's tragic. If only his mothers had accepted him instead of shunning him, his life would have been different. Goes to show that upbringing and the morals we touch our younger one's go a long way in their life. Wonderful story:)

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  7. iluvfictionApril 11, 2015 at 5:21 PM

    I knew that he was born like that but not because of the demon. Great!

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  8. SuzyApril 11, 2015 at 5:30 PM

    So tragic the story of his birth, No wonder he grew up to be so cruel. Nicely narrated.

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  9. UnknownApril 11, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    That was so interesting to read - did not know this story. Sad for him- what a start of life... You told it so well, Sundari:-)

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  10. Shilpa GargApril 11, 2015 at 8:34 PM

    This is the most fascinating story that I have read today. Was not aware of the legend of his birth! Thanks for sharing. Sundari :)

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  11. Amrit SinhaApril 11, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    Didn't know about this story ... sad for him and the world :-)

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  12. Swathi ShenoyApril 11, 2015 at 10:30 PM

    This was the first time I read about Jarasandha's birth! Born in two halves? :O Creepy, I must say!

    Just Listen

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 12, 2015 at 9:18 PM

      I have heard this one from childhood, that's why just accepted it as part of Mahabharata. Now that you mention it Swathi, it is creepy ;)
      Thank you for stopping by

      Delete
  13. Debbie D. April 11, 2015 at 10:40 PM

    Born in two halves; such a fascinating story!
    I love the design of your blog, especially that colourful header. ☺

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 12, 2015 at 9:18 PM

      Thank you so much Debbie. I am glad you liked the story and my blog :D

      Delete
  14. AnonymousApril 12, 2015 at 1:40 AM

    Interesting tale.. hadn't heard of it :) Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 12, 2015 at 9:19 PM

      Thank you for stopping by and posting a comment 'embarkwithmythoughts' :)

      Delete
  15. Ink Dipped MoonApril 12, 2015 at 6:09 AM

    Scary and awesome. I have never heard out read this tale. Good luck from an A to Z blog hoping friend.

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  16. elly stornebrinkApril 12, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    Thank goodness this is only a tale as what terror he would bring otherwise!

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 12, 2015 at 9:21 PM

      Thank you for visiting Elly. Actually, in India, we believe that the Mahabharata really happened. And Jarasandha did bring a lot of terror while he ruled the Magadha kingdom. While there is no historical proof of Jarasandha's existence, Magadha is a very well known empire in the yonder days. :)

      Delete
  17. LakshmiApril 12, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    Paavam, all these demons have a reason to have become one!

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  18. Sushree DashApril 12, 2015 at 10:44 AM

    This was something new I got to know about his attitude and the reason behind it .

    http://drsushreedash.blogspot.in/

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 12, 2015 at 9:21 PM

      Thank you for stopping by Sushree Dash. Well, that's how I visualise the situation :)

      Delete
  19. the little princessApril 12, 2015 at 11:59 AM

    fascinating character...That trivia about him was interesting!

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  20. Prathima RaoApril 12, 2015 at 12:01 PM

    Killed also by splitting into two. His mother shared the fruit which only one of them was supposed to consume to give birth to a child. Maybe sometimes, it doesn't do well to share? :)

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  21. Shailaja VApril 12, 2015 at 1:48 PM

    One of the most powerful tales in the Mahabaharata. Lovely read, Sundari :)

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  22. deepti menonApril 12, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    Sundari, this story shows the importance of upbringing, doesn't it? I remember how Krishna showed Bheema how to destroy Jarasandha by tearing his body into two and throwing the pieces into two different parts of the room! Thank you for sharing the story of his birth!

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 12, 2015 at 9:31 PM

      Exactly my point Deepti. :D Thank you for stopping by

      Delete
  23. Dr Genevive AngelaApril 14, 2015 at 1:40 PM

    Never heard of this story, glad that I learnt something from you today,thank you for sharing !

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 14, 2015 at 2:26 PM

      Glad to hear that Angela! Thank you for stopping by :)

      Delete
  24. Debraj MoulickApril 15, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    Jarasandh was so powerful...even Krishna was afraid of him

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 15, 2015 at 11:39 AM

      I can't believe that Krishna was afraid of anyone. Wary, more like! Needed a lot of planning to do away with Jarasandha without killing the rest of the population :)
      Thank you Debraj for stepping out of your "lazy" state and visiting my blogs, posting comments too

      Delete

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