Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.46

c8.46

MAGADHA. A famous city of ancient India. Its present name is Rājagṛha. The Purāṇas mention many great Kings who had ruled Magadha. Bṛhadratha was once King of Magadha. (Śloka 30, Chapter 63, Ādi Parva) Jayatsena one of the Kālakeyas was once the King of Magadha. (Śloka 48, Chapter 67, Ādi Parva). Pāṇḍu father of the Pāṇḍavas once attacked Magadha and Dirgha the then King of Magadha was killed by Pāṇḍu. (Chapter 112, Ādi Parva). While Bṛhadratha was ruling Magadha he passed an order that each and every house should worship the demoness Jarā as a house-goddess. (Śloka 10, Chapter 13, Sabhā Parva). During the time of the Mahābhārata Jarāsandha was the King of Magadha. Śrī Kṛṣṇa made Bhīmasena kill Jarāsandha. After his death Śrī Kṛṣṇa made Sahadeva brother of Jarāsandha the King of Magadha. (Śloka 43, Chapter 24, Sabhā Parva). Bhīmasena conquered this country during his victory march. The people of Magadha offered gifts to Yudhiṣṭhira at his Rājasūya. (Śloka 18, Chapter 52, Sabhā Parva). The King of Magadha and the people there fought on the side of the Pāṇḍavas in the great battle. (Śloka 2, Chapter 53, Udyoga Parva).