Balarāma’s battle with Dvivida and the tale of Sāmbha’s marriage unfold with vivid drama and divine presence. Angered by the mighty Dvivida, Balarāma seized his club and plough, intent on vanquishing his foe. Dvivida, powerful and fearless, uprooted a giant tree with his bare hand and rushed forward, striking Balarāma on the head. Yet Saṅkarṣaṇa stood unmoved, as steady as a mountain struck by a storm. In response, Balarāma caught the tree and, with his club, dealt Dvivida a crushing blow, shattering his skull and causing blood to stream forth. Dvivida, undeterred and resembling a mountain stained with red ochre, ignored the blow and seized another tree, stripping it of its branches with force. He struck fiercely again, but Balarāma cut the tree into a hundred pieces. Dvivida, growing angrier, attacked with yet another tree, which was also reduced to fragments by Balarāma’s skill. The battle raged on, with Dvivida continually pulling up trees and Balarāma destroying them, until the entire forest stood bare. Enraged, Dvivida unleashed a shower of rocks upon Balarāma, but the Lord effortlessly crushed them all with his club. Then, the lord of monkeys made his arms like palm trunks, formed his fists, and struck Balarāma’s chest with both hands. The chief of the Yadus, abandoning his weapons, grabbed Dvivida with both arms in anger and pressed upon his collarbone, causing him to fall and vomit blood. As Dvivida fell, the earth trembled in fear, along with the remaining trees, as if a mountain had been rocked by the wind or a boat tossed upon water. In the heavens, cries of “Victory!” and “Homage!” rang out, with shouts of “Well done! Well done!” from the gods, siddhas, and great sages, and showers of flowers rained down. Having slain Dvivida, who had brought distress to the world, Balarāma, praised by the people, entered his own city. Thus 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. The story then turns to Sāmbha’s marriage and Balarāma’s encounter with Hastināpura. Sāmbha, son of the Yadus, had seized the Kauravas’ daughter against their will, provoking their wrath. The Kauravas, angered, declared, “This boy is ill-behaved; he has disregarded us and taken 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 upon hearing that their son has been restrained, their pride will be broken and they will become peaceful, like well-controlled breaths.” With the support of elders, Karna, Shala, Bhuri, Yajnaketu, and Suyodhana attempted to bind Sāmbha. Seeing the Dhartarashtras pursuing him, Sāmbha, a great chariot-warrior, seized his splendid bow and stood alone like a lion. The Kurus, eager to capture him, shouted “Stop! Stop!” and showered him with arrows. Though struck, Sāmbha did not tolerate their attack, like a lion among petty animals. He strung his bow and wounded all six chariot-warriors, including Karna, with arrows, both simultaneously and separately. With four arrows he struck four horses, with one each the charioteers, and the great bowmen on their chariots; for this, they honored him. Yet, the Kurus made him chariotless: four arrows struck his horses, one killed his charioteer, and another cut his bow. Having bound Sāmbha and made him chariotless with difficulty in battle, the victorious Kurus entered their city, bringing the prince and their own daughter. When the Vrishnis heard of this from Narada, they became angry. Urged by Ugrasena, they prepared to confront the Kurus. But Balarāma, pacifying the armed leaders of the Vrishnis, did not wish for conflict between the Kurus and Vrishnis, being the remover of discord. He went to Hastinapura in a radiant chariot, surrounded by Brahmins and elders of his lineage, like the moon among stars. Upon reaching Gajahvaya, Balarāma stayed in the outer gardens and sent Uddhava to inquire of Dhritarashtra. Uddhava, after respectfully greeting Ambika’s son, Bhishma, Drona, Bahlik, and Duryodhana according to custom, announced Balarāma’s arrival. Hearing that their dearest friend had arrived, the Kurus were exceedingly pleased; after honoring him, they all approached with auspicious offerings. Meeting him properly, they presented him with the cow and water for worship; those who knew his greatness bowed their heads to Balarāma. After hearing that their relatives were well, and inquiring about their welfare, Balarāma spoke openly: “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 bound the righteous one by unrighteous means, having defeated him; I tolerate this for the sake of unity among relatives.” The Kurus, provoked, heard Balarāma’s words, filled with vigor, heroism, and strength, equal to his own power. They remarked in astonishment, “By the unstoppable movement of time, one who wishes to ascend wears shoes while his head is adorned with a crown. These Vṛṣṇis, joined by youth, sharing beds, seats, and meals, have been made equal to us, and we have given them royal seats. They enjoy the fan, fly-whisk, conch, white umbrella, crown, throne, and bed, all due to our neglect. Enough of the Yādavas being marked by royal honors, bestowed by the donor, like nectar to serpents; those Yādavas, who have prospered by our favor, today command us, shamelessly.” Thus, the tale continues, intertwining divine valor, family honor, and the unfolding destinies of the Yadus and Kurus.