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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 72: Verses 25-37
It is true, Visnu had assumed that diminutive form of a Brahmana in order to return the ruling authority to its rightful owner Indra. Bali had come to know it and was opposed by Sukra, his preceptor; and yet he gave away the earth. This body is sure to perish one day. A Ksatriya who does not endeavour attain extensive fame through it, and does not live for the sake of the Brahmanas alone, lives in vain." (Pariksit), Jarasandha was a liberal-minded king. Reflecting thus, he said to Sri Krsna, Arjuna and Bhimasena, disguised as Brahmanas, as follows:"Brahmanas, seek whatever you desire; I am prepared to give you everything, even my head." The glorious Lord said : " 0 great king, we are no Brahmanas seeking food from you. We have come here in search of a combat. If it pleases you, grant us the boon of a single combat with you. That is Bhima son of Kunti, he is his younger brother, Arjuna, and know Me to be their cousin, Krsna, your former adversary." Hearing these words of Sri Krsna, Jarasandha laughed loudly and, filled with rage, said, " If you seek a combat, fools, I shall certainly offer fight with you. But, Krsna, I shall not fight with you. You are a coward and rose balance of mind in battle. Afraid of me you abandoned your city, Mathura, and took shelter in the sea.
As for Arjuna, he is no warrior. He is junior to me in age and has no great prowess either. He is, therefore, no match for me. Bhima (alone) is equal in strength to me." With these words Jarasandha gave a huge mace to Bhimasena, and himself taking up another, came out of the city. Going to the arena these two warriors who were furious in battle, closed with and struck each other with their respective maces, which were as hard as the thunderbolt. They began to move right and left, manoeuvring for position with such adroitness that they looked like two actors playing at fight on a public stage. When they hurled their maces at each other, the rattling noise resembled the clap of thunder or the sound of impact between the tusks of two fighting tuskers. Just as when two elephants burning with rage fight with each other, with twigs of the sun-plant and the twigs are reduced to powder, even so the maces of the two warriors hurled with the full force of their arms against each other's shoulders, hips, feet, hands, thighs and collar-bones, were reduced to pulp.
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