When the Kurus decided to restrain Samba—the son of the Vrishnis—they reasoned among themselves: “If the Vrishnis hear their son has been captured and come here, their pride will be humbled; they will become peaceful, like well-controlled breaths.” Acting on this thought, Karna, Shala, Bhuri, Yajnaketu, and Suyodhana, with the support of the elders of the Kuru clan, set out to bind Samba. As the sons of Dhritarashtra pursued him, Samba, a mighty chariot-warrior, seized his splendid bow and stood his ground alone, like a lion among lesser creatures. The Kurus, burning with anger and eager to capture him, shouted, “Stop! Stop!” and rushed forward. Karna and the others loosed a shower of arrows upon Samba, but the noble child of the Yadus, though struck, refused to yield—just as a lion does not tolerate the attacks of petty animals. Stringing his magnificent bow, Samba wounded all six of the attacking chariot-warriors, including Karna, with his arrows, striking them both together and separately. With four arrows he brought down four horses, and with single arrows he struck each charioteer and the great bowmen themselves. So skillful was his valor that even his enemies honored him for it. Yet, the Kurus pressed on and managed to make him chariotless: four arrows felled his horses, one slew the charioteer, and another severed his bow. After a fierce struggle, they finally bound him and, victorious, entered their city with the prince and their own daughter. When news of this reached the Vrishnis through the sage Narada, they were inflamed with anger. Urged by Ugrasena, they prepared to march against the Kurus. But Balarama, the remover of discord, pacified the armed Vrishni leaders; he did not wish for conflict between the Kurus and the Vrishnis. Instead, he journeyed to Hastinapura in a radiant chariot, surrounded by Brahmins and elders of his lineage, shining among them like the moon among stars. Upon reaching Gajahvaya, Balarama stayed in the outer gardens and sent Uddhava to inquire after King Dhritarashtra. Uddhava, observing all the proper courtesies, greeted Ambika’s son, Bhishma, Drona, Bahlik, and Duryodhana, and announced Balarama’s arrival. Hearing that their beloved friend had come, the Kurus were overjoyed. They honored Balarama and approached him with auspicious offerings. Receiving him properly, they presented him with the cow and water for worship, and those who knew his greatness bowed their heads before him. After learning that his relatives were well and exchanging words of welfare, Balarama addressed the assembly without hesitation: “O Kurus, whatever command Ugrasena, the lord of the earth, gives, you should hear it with a steady mind and carry it out without delay. Though you are many, you bound the righteous one by unrighteous means after defeating him. I tolerate this only for the sake of unity among relatives.” The Kurus, provoked, heard Balarama’s words, which were filled with vigor and strength, equal to his own power. They replied with arrogance: “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, once our juniors, have become our equals, sharing our beds, seats, and meals, and we have even given them royal seats. They enjoy the fan, fly-whisk, conch, white umbrella, crown, throne, and bed—all because of our negligence. Enough of the Yadavas being marked by royal honors, which are like nectar to serpents! These Yadavas, who have prospered by our favor, now 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?” Sage Bādarāyaṇa narrates that, puffed up with pride born of birth, kinship, and wealth, the Kurus became arrogant. After speaking such harsh words to Balarama, these uncivil men withdrew into their city. Witnessing the Kurus’ wickedness and hearing their offensive words, Krishna—Acyuta—grew angry, his countenance difficult to behold, and he laughed repeatedly as he spoke: “Surely, these wicked ones, intoxicated with pride, do not desire peace. For such as these, restraint is punishment, just as a stick is for animals. I have come here desiring peace, having gently calmed the enraged Yadus and Krishna himself. Yet these quarrelsome, foolish, and wicked ones have repeatedly disregarded me and spoken disrespectfully, puffed up as they are with pride. “Is not Ugrasena the mighty lord, ruler of the Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas, whom even Indra and the other guardians of the worlds obey? He who has entered Sudharma, who brought the Parijata tree from the realm of the immortals, surely deserves the royal seat. At his feet, Shri herself serves directly—he is the sovereign of all. The dust of his lotus feet is borne by the crowns of all guardians of the worlds, worshipped as the most sacred of sacred places; Brahma, Shiva, and I are but portions of his portion, and Shri herself serves him for ages. Where is the royal seat for him? “The Vrishnis enjoy the land given by the Kurus, while we are like shoes and the Kurus are the crown upon the head. Who could endure or instruct those intoxicated by wealth, whose words are harsh and incoherent, like those of the drunken and proud?” Enraged, Balarama declared, “Today I will make the earth free of the Kauravas!” Seizing his plough, he rose up, appearing as if he would burn the three worlds. With the tip of his plough, he tore open the city of Hastinapura and, furious, dragged it toward the Ganga, intent on striking. As the city, pulled into the river, spun like a boat caught in a whirlpool, the Kauravas, seeing their city being dragged away, were seized with terror. Desperate to save themselves, they approached Balarama for refuge, bringing Lakshmana and Samba before him and bowing with joined palms before the Lord, seeking his mercy.