O King, when the fiery being conjured by ritual was unleashed, it surged forth in wrath. Yet, struck down by the immense power of the discus-wielder’s divine weapon, its force was shattered and its purpose defeated. Humbled, it turned back and entered the city of Varanasi. There, the very abhicara—destructive magic—performed by Sudakshina and his priests turned upon them; the fire consumed its creators, devouring Sudakshina and his companions. Then, the mighty Sudarshana discus of Vishnu entered Varanasi itself. The city, teeming with palaces, assembly halls, bustling markets, grand gates, towering turrets, and vast granaries, was filled with treasuries, elephants, horses, chariots, and abundant stores of grain. The discus blazed through all of Varanasi, burning everything in its path. Having accomplished its work, the Sudarshana returned to Krishna’s side, the Lord renowned for flawless deeds. Whoever, with a focused mind, recites or listens to this account of the Lord’s wondrous exploits is freed from all sins. The king, his curiosity not yet sated, spoke: “Once more, I wish to hear of the marvelous deeds of Rama, the immeasurable and infinite Lord. What more did that master accomplish?” Shuka replied: There was a certain monkey named Dvivida, a friend of Naraka, a counselor to Sugriva, and the valiant brother of Mainda. Seeking vengeance for his friend, Dvivida brought ruin to the land. He set fire to cities, villages, settlements, and cowherds’ hamlets, leaving devastation in his wake. At times, he would uproot mountains and crush entire regions, especially in Anarta, where Hari—the slayer of his friend—resided. Sometimes, standing in the midst of the ocean, he would lift its waters with his powerful arms, flooding the coastal lands, such was his strength—equal to ten thousand elephants. He destroyed the hermitages of great sages, breaking their sacred trees, and, in his wickedness, defiled their holy fires with urine and excrement. Arrogant and cruel, he seized men and women, casting them into mountain caves and valleys, then crushing them with rocks as a craftsman crushes insects. Thus did Dvivida ravage the land, violating noble women and spreading terror. In the midst of this havoc, he heard sweet singing and was drawn to Mount Raivataka. There he saw Rama, Lord of the Yadus, radiant in every limb, adorned with a garland of lotuses, surrounded by groups of women. Rama sang, his eyes unsteady from drinking Varuni, his form resplendent like a mighty elephant in rut. The wicked monkey climbed a tree, shaking its branches and making loud noises to draw attention to himself. The young women, playful and fond of laughter, companions of Balarama, saw the monkey’s insolence and burst into laughter. Dvivida mocked them, throwing clods of earth and other things from the front, and displaying his backside, all while Rama watched. Enraged, Balarama—the foremost of those who strike—hurled a rock at Dvivida. But the monkey, cunning and swift, deceived the rock and seized the wine jar. Taking hold of it, he mocked Balarama, provoking him with laughter. Wickedly, he broke the jar and scattered Balarama’s garments. Drunk with pride, Dvivida overpowered Balarama, acting with insolence. Seeing the monkey’s disrespect and the havoc he wrought, Balarama’s anger flared. He seized his club and plough, intent on destroying his foe. But Dvivida, mighty as ever, raised a giant tree with his hand and struck Balarama on the head. Yet Sankarshana stood unmoved, like a mountain unshaken by the storm. Balarama caught the tree and struck Dvivida with his club, shattering his skull so that blood streamed forth. Still, like a mountain stained with red ochre, Dvivida did not heed the blow. Again he seized another tree, stripped it of branches, and struck fiercely. But Balarama cut it to pieces a hundredfold. Again and again, Dvivida attacked with trees, and again and again, Balarama destroyed them, until the forest was laid bare. Enraged, Dvivida released a shower of rocks upon Balarama, but the Lord, wielding his club, effortlessly crushed them all. The monkey then made his arms like palm trunks, formed his fists, and struck Balarama on the chest with both. But the chief of the Yadus, abandoning his club and plough, seized Dvivida with both arms in anger and pressed upon his collarbone. Dvivida fell, vomiting blood. As he crashed to the earth, the ground trembled in fear, along with the trees, like a mountain rocked by the wind, or a boat tossed upon the water. In the sky arose shouts of “Victory!” and “Homage!” and cries of “Well done! Well done!” from the gods, siddhas, and great sages, as flowers rained down in celebration. Thus, having slain Dvivida, who had brought distress to the world, the Lord, praised by the people, entered his own city. Thus concludes the sixty-seventh chapter, entitled “The Slaying of Dvivida,” in the tenth book, second half, of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Now begins the account of Sāmbha’s marriage and Balarāma’s dragging of Hastināpura. The Kauravas, enraged, said: “This boy is ill-behaved; having disregarded us, he has seized our unwilling daughter by force. Let us bind this insolent one—what will the Vrishnis do? They, who enjoy the land given to us, accumulated by our favor. If the Vrishnis come here upon hearing that their son has been restrained, their pride will be broken and they will become peaceful, like well-controlled breaths.” Thus, Karna, Shala, Bhuri, Yajnaketu, and Suyodhana, supported by the elders of the Kurus, attempted to bind Samba. Seeing the Dhartarashtras pursuing him, Samba, the great chariot-warrior, seized his splendid bow and stood alone, like a lion. The angry Kurus, desiring to capture him, shouted, “Stop! Stop!” and, approaching with bows drawn, Karna and the others showered him with arrows.