As the Lord Balarāma and his companions were enjoying themselves, a mischievous monkey named Dvivida began to mock them openly. He hurled clods of earth and other objects at them from the front, brazenly displaying his backside, all the while under the watchful gaze of Rāma. This insolent behavior enraged Balarāma, who, foremost among warriors, seized a great rock and hurled it at the monkey. But Dvivida, agile and cunning, evaded the rock and instead grabbed hold of a wine jar. With the jar in hand, Dvivida taunted Balarāma, laughing wickedly as he broke the jar and scattered Balarāma’s garments. Intoxicated with pride, the monkey lord grew ever more insolent, overpowering Balarāma with his antics and disturbing the peace of the surrounding regions. Witnessing such disrespect and the chaos caused by Dvivida, Balarāma’s anger flared. He grasped his club and plough, determined to vanquish his foe. But Dvivida, mighty in strength, tore a massive tree from the earth and, rushing forward, struck Balarāma on the head with it. Yet Balarāma stood unmoved, like a mountain unshaken by a storm. Seizing the tree, Balarāma retaliated, striking Dvivida with his club and shattering the monkey’s skull so that blood streamed down. Dvivida, however, undeterred by the blow and as if a mountain stained with red ochre, seized another tree, tearing away its branches with force. He struck fiercely again, but Balarāma, swift and powerful, cut the tree into a hundred pieces. Undaunted, Dvivida attacked with yet another tree, which Balarāma also shattered a hundredfold. Thus the battle raged, with Dvivida uprooting every tree in sight, making the entire forest barren in his relentless assault. Enraged, Dvivida then unleashed a hail of rocks upon Balarāma, but the Lord, effortlessly wielding his club, smashed every stone to dust. Now, making his arms as sturdy as palm trunks, Dvivida formed his fists and charged at Balarāma, striking him on the chest with both. But the chief of the Yadus, abandoning his club and plough, seized Dvivida in a powerful grip and pressed upon his collarbone in anger. Overwhelmed, Dvivida fell to the ground, vomiting blood. As he crashed down, the earth trembled in fear along with the trees, as if a mountain had been shaken by the wind or a boat tossed on the waves. From the heavens, the gods, siddhas, and great sages cried out in praise, shouting “Victory!” and “Homage!” and showered flowers upon Balarāma. Thus, having slain Dvivida, who had brought great distress to the world, the Lord entered his own city, praised by all the people. So concludes the sixty-seventh chapter, “The Slaying of Dvivida,” in the tenth book, second half, of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. --- In the next account, the story turns to Sāmbha’s marriage and Balarāma’s wondrous act of dragging Hastināpura. The Kauravas were deeply angered, saying among themselves, “This boy is ill-behaved; disregarding 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 granted 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 as peaceful as 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 in pursuit, Sāmbha, a great chariot-warrior, seized his splendid bow and stood alone, resolute as a lion. The angry Kurus shouted, “Stop! Stop!” and, approaching with bows in hand, Karna and the others showered him with arrows. Though struck by the Kurus, Sāmbha, the valiant son of the Yadus, did not yield, bearing the assault like a lion surrounded by lesser beasts. He strung his mighty bow and, with skill, wounded all six chariot-warriors—including Karna—with arrows, both together and individually. Striking four horses with four arrows, and each charioteer with one, he also wounded the great bowmen on their chariots, earning their respect for his prowess. Yet, the Kurus overwhelmed him: four arrows felled his four horses, one slew his charioteer, and another severed his bow. Having made him chariotless and binding him with great effort, the victorious Kurus entered their city, taking with them both the prince and their own daughter. When the Vrishnis heard this news from Nārada, O King, they were filled with anger and, at the urging of Ugrasena, prepared to confront the Kurus. But Balarāma, ever the remover of discord, calmed the armed leaders of the Vrishnis, wishing to avoid conflict between the two great houses. He set out for Hastināpura in a radiant chariot, surrounded by Brahmins and elders of his lineage, shining among them like the moon among stars. Upon reaching Gajahvaya, Balarāma stayed in the outer gardens and sent Uddhava to inquire after Dhritarāshtra. Uddhava, having respectfully greeted Ambikā’s son, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Bāhlika, and Duryodhana according to custom, announced the arrival of Balarāma. Hearing that their dearest friend had come, the Kurus were overjoyed. They honored him with auspicious offerings and, meeting him properly, presented him with a cow and water for worship. All who knew his greatness bowed their heads to Balarāma. After exchanging words of welfare and kinship, Balarāma spoke to them 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. Though you are many, you have bound the righteous one by unrighteous means, having defeated him; I tolerate this for the sake of unity among relatives.” The Kurus, provoked, listened to Balarāma’s words, which were filled with vigor, heroism, and strength, and reflected the power of the Lord himself.