The Kauravas, filled with anger, exclaimed among themselves, “This boy is ill-behaved! Disregarding us, he has seized our unwilling daughter by force.” Determined to act, they said, “Let us bind this insolent one. What will the Vrishnis do? They only enjoy the land we granted them, accumulated by our favor.” They reasoned that if the Vrishnis arrived upon hearing their son was restrained, their pride would be broken and they would become peaceful, subdued like controlled breaths. Thus, Karna, Shala, Bhuri, Yajnaketu, and Suyodhana, with the support of the elders of the Kurus, set out to bind Samba. Seeing the Dhartarashtras pursuing him, Samba, the great chariot-warrior, seized his splendid bow and stood alone, courageous as a lion. The angry Kurus, eager to capture him, shouted, “Stop! Stop!” and, approaching with their bows, Karna and the others showered him with arrows. Though struck by the Kurus, Samba, the best of the Yadus, would not tolerate their assault, just as a lion ignores petty animals. Stringing his magnificent bow, the hero wounded all six chariot-warriors, including Karna, with arrows, both simultaneously and individually. With four arrows, he struck their four horses; with one arrow each, he wounded the charioteers and the great bowmen on their chariots. For this remarkable feat, they honored him. Yet, the Kurus managed to make him chariotless: four arrows struck his four horses, one killed his charioteer, and another cut his bow. Having bound him and made him chariotless after much effort in battle, the victorious Kurus entered their city with the prince and their own daughter. When Narada brought news of these events, the Vrishnis became furious. Urged by Ugrasena, they prepared to confront the Kurus. But Rama, desiring peace and being the remover of discord, pacified the armed Vrishnis and did not wish for conflict between the two families. Rama then journeyed to Hastinapura in a radiant chariot, surrounded by Brahmins and elders of his lineage, shining like the moon among stars. Upon reaching Gajahvaya, Rama stayed in the outer gardens and sent Uddhava to inquire after Dhritarashtra. Uddhava, after respectfully greeting Ambika’s son, Bhishma, Drona, Bahlik, and Duryodhana according to custom, announced Rama’s arrival. Hearing that Rama, their dearest friend, had come, the Kurus were exceedingly pleased. They honored him and approached with auspicious offerings. Meeting him properly, they presented him with a cow and water for worship; those who knew his greatness bowed their heads to Balarama. After learning that his relatives were well and inquiring after their welfare, Rama spoke without hesitation: “Ugrasena, lord of the earth, whatever command he gives, you should hear with an 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, listened to Balarama’s words, which were filled with vigor, heroism, and strength, equal to his own power. They responded, “Ah, how astonishing! By the unstoppable movement of time, one who wishes to ascend wears shoes while his head is adorned with a crown. These Vrishnis, 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 Yadavas being marked by royal honors, bestowed by the donor, like nectar to serpents. Those Yadavas, who have prospered by our favor, today command us, shamelessly. How could even Indra, with the Kurus—Bhishma, Drona, Arjuna, and others—seize what was not given, like a lion snatching prey in the forest?” Sri Badarayana explains that their pride, inflated by birth, kinship, and wealth, made them arrogant. After speaking harsh words to Rama, these uncivil men entered the city. Witnessing the wickedness of the Kurus and hearing their offensive words, Acyuta (Krishna), angered and difficult to look at, spoke repeatedly, laughing. He said, “Surely, these wicked ones, puffed up with various kinds of pride, do not desire peace. For them, restraint is punishment, just as a stick is for animals. I have come here desiring peace, having gently calmed the enraged Yadus and Krishna. Yet these dull-minded, quarrelsome, wicked ones, repeatedly disregarded me and spoke disrespectful words, proud as they are. Is not Ugrasena the mighty lord, ruler of the Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas, whom even Indra and other guardians of the worlds obey? He, who entered Sudharma and brought the Parijata tree from the realm of the immortals to be enjoyed, is surely not unworthy of the royal seat. At whose feet Sri herself serves directly, the sovereign of all—is he not worthy of royal honors and paraphernalia? The dust of whose lotus feet is borne by the crowns of all guardians of the worlds, worshipped as the sacred of sacred places; Brahma, Shiva, and I are but portions of his portion, and Sri herself serves him for a long time—where is the royal seat for him?” He continued, “The Vrishnis enjoy the land given by the Kurus, while we ourselves are like shoes, and the Kurus are the crown upon the head. Ah, who could endure or instruct those intoxicated by wealth, whose words are incoherent and harsh, like those of the proud and drunken?” Enraged, Balarama declared, “Today I will make the earth free of the Kauravas!” Seizing his plough, he rose up as if to burn the three worlds. With the tip of his plough, he tore open the city of Hastinapura and, furious, dragged it into the Ganga, intent on striking.