That wicked monkey, Dvivida, climbed up a tall tree, shaking its branches with wild energy and making loud, attention-seeking noises. His antics drew the eyes of everyone nearby, especially the playful, laughter-loving young women who were companions of Balarāma. Amused by the monkey’s insolence, they burst into laughter, delighting in his foolishness. Dvivida, emboldened by their attention and eager to provoke further, began to mock the women. He hurled clods of earth and other things toward them, even going so far as to turn his backside to them, all the while under the watchful gaze of Balarāma. This display of mischief quickly escalated, and Balarāma—foremost among those who wield weapons—became enraged. He hurled a heavy rock at the monkey, but Dvivida, agile and cunning, dodged the attack and seized a wine jar instead. Clutching the jar, Dvivida mocked Balarāma, laughing and provoking him further. In a wicked act, he smashed the jar and scattered Balarāma’s garments, displaying utter disrespect. Intoxicated with pride, Dvivida continued his insolent behavior, overpowering even Balarāma for a moment and disturbing the entire region with his chaos. Seeing this, Balarāma’s anger flared. He seized his mighty club and plough, intent on ending the monkey’s rampage. Dvivida, however, was not to be subdued easily; displaying his great strength, he uprooted a giant tree with his bare hands and charged at Balarāma, striking him on the head. Yet Balarāma stood unmoved, as steadfast as a mountain struck by a storm. With unshakable resolve, Balarāma caught the tree and struck Dvivida with his club. The blow shattered the monkey’s skull, and blood streamed down his face, staining him like a mountain marked with red ochre. Still, Dvivida paid no heed to the wound. He seized another tree, stripped it of its branches, and struck fiercely again. Each time, Balarāma’s club cut the trees to pieces a hundredfold. Undeterred, Dvivida attacked with tree after tree, but Balarāma destroyed each one, until the forest itself was left treeless. Enraged, Dvivida then unleashed a shower of rocks upon Balarāma, but the Lord, wielding his club, effortlessly crushed every stone. The monkey, his arms strong as palm trunks, formed his fists and charged, striking Balarāma on the chest with both hands. But the chief of the Yadus, abandoning his club and plough, seized Dvivida in his powerful arms. With a mighty press upon the monkey’s collarbone, Balarāma brought him crashing to the ground, blood pouring from Dvivida’s mouth. As the monkey fell, the very earth trembled with fear, the trees shuddered, and it seemed as if a mountain had been shaken by the wind or a boat tossed on the water. From the heavens, gods, siddhas, and great sages shouted “Victory!” and “Homage!” and praised the Lord with cries of “Well done! Well done!” as they showered flowers down upon him. Thus, Balarāma slew Dvivida, who had brought distress to the world. Praised by the people, the Lord entered his own city, his victory celebrated by all. And so ends 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. * Soon after, new events unfolded: Sāmbha’s marriage and Balarāma’s dragging of Hastināpura. The Kauravas, angered, said among themselves, “This boy is ill-behaved; he has disregarded us and seized our unwilling daughter by force. Let us bind this insolent youth—what will the Vrishnis do? They, who enjoy the land we gave them by our favor. If the Vrishnis come here upon hearing 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, set out to bind Sāmbha. Seeing the Dhartarashtras pursuing him, Sāmbha, the great chariot-warrior, seized his splendid bow and stood his ground alone, like a lion among lesser creatures. The Kurus, filled with anger and intent on capturing him, shouted, “Stop! Stop!” and, led by Karna and others, showered him with arrows. Though struck by the Kurus, Sāmbha did not yield, just as a lion does not tolerate the attacks of petty animals. Stringing his bow, he wounded all six chariot-warriors, including Karna, with arrows both simultaneously and separately. With four arrows he struck their four horses, with one each their charioteers, and the great bowmen themselves. For this valor, they honored him, but soon they made him chariotless: four arrows struck his four horses, one killed his charioteer, and another cut his bow. With great difficulty, the Kurus bound him and made him chariotless in battle. Victorious, they entered their city with the captured prince and their own daughter. When the Vrishnis heard of this from Nārada, they became angry. Urged by Ugrasena, they prepared to confront the Kurus. But Balarāma, ever the remover of discord, pacified the armed leaders of the Vrishnis. He did not wish for conflict between the Kurus and Vrishnis. Balarāma then journeyed to Hastināpura in a radiant chariot, surrounded by Brahmins and elders of his lineage, shining among them like the moon among stars. Upon reaching Gajahvaya, he stayed in the outer gardens and sent Uddhava to inquire after Dhritarāṣṭra. Uddhava, entering respectfully, greeted Ambikā’s son, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Bahlik, and Duryodhana according to custom, and announced Balarāma’s arrival. Hearing that their dearest friend had come, the Kurus were delighted. After honoring him, they all approached with auspicious offerings. They greeted him properly, presenting a cow and water for worship, and those who knew Balarāma’s greatness bowed their heads to him. After exchanging news of their relatives and inquiring after each other’s welfare, Balarāma spoke directly and without hesitation: “Ugrasena, the lord of the earth, whatever command he gives, you should hear it with undisturbed mind and carry it out without delay.