Uddhava, ever courteous and wise, entered the great assembly and greeted Ambika’s son Dhritarashtra, the venerable Bhishma, Drona, Bahlik, and Duryodhana with all due respect and according to custom. Then, with a clear voice, he announced the arrival of Balarama, Rama himself. The news that their beloved friend Balarama had come filled the hearts of the Kurus with joy. Eager to honor him, they all approached, bringing auspicious offerings in their hands. When they met Balarama, they welcomed him properly, presenting him with a cow and water for worship, as was fitting. Those who understood his true greatness bowed their heads in reverence before him. After Balarama inquired about the well-being of their relatives and heard that all were well, he addressed the assembly with words spoken without hesitation: “Ugrasena, the lord of the earth, whatever command he gives, you should hear it 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 have tolerated this only for the sake of unity among relatives.” The Kurus, provoked by Balarama’s words, heard his speech—filled with vigor, heroism, and the strength that matched his own power. They responded with pride and indignation: “How astonishing! By the unstoppable movement of time, those who wish to ascend wear shoes while their heads are crowned. These Vrishnis, who once shared our beds, seats, and meals in their youth, have been made our equals, and we have even given them royal seats. They now enjoy the fan, fly-whisk, conch, white umbrella, crown, throne, and bed—all due to our neglect. Enough! The Yadavas, marked by royal honors bestowed by us, have prospered by our favor, and today they shamelessly command us. Even Indra, with Bhishma, Drona, Arjuna, and the Kurus, could not seize what was not given, like a lion snatching prey in the forest.” Sage Bādarāyaṇa narrates that, puffed up by pride of birth, kinship, and wealth, the Kurus became arrogant. After speaking these harsh words to Balarama, they turned away and entered their city, their hearts closed by conceit. But Krishna, seeing their wickedness and hearing their offensive words, became angry. His face was difficult to look upon as he laughed and spoke repeatedly: “Surely these wicked ones, swollen with pride, do not desire peace. For them, restraint is a punishment, just as a stick is for animals. I came here seeking peace, having gently calmed the enraged Yadus and Krishna. But these quarrelsome, dull-minded ones have repeatedly disregarded me and spoken with disrespect, proud as they are. Is not Ugrasena, the mighty lord and ruler of the Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas, whom even Indra and the guardians of the worlds obey? He who entered Sudharma, brought the Parijata tree from the realm of the immortals, and enjoys it—he is surely worthy of the royal seat. At his feet, Sri herself serves directly, and he is the sovereign of all. The dust of his lotus feet is borne by the crowns of all the guardians of the worlds, worshipped as the holiest of holy places. Brahma, Shiva, and I are but portions of his portion, and Sri has served 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 the crown upon the head. Who can endure or instruct those intoxicated by wealth, whose words are harsh and incoherent, like the proud and drunken?” Enraged, Balarama declared, “Today I will make the earth free of the Kauravas!” Seizing his mighty plough, he rose up, his fury blazing as if to burn the three worlds. With the tip of his plough, he tore open the city of Hastinapura, dragging it toward the Ganga with irresistible force. 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. Desiring to save themselves and their families, they approached Balarama for refuge, placing Lakshmana and Samba at the front. With joined palms, they bowed low before the Lord and pleaded: “O Rama, foundation of all, we do not know your power. Please forgive our offense, for we are foolish and misguided. You alone are the independent cause of creation, maintenance, and dissolution. The wise say the worlds are your playthings, and you play with them. You, endless one, support the earth with your thousand heads, playfully bearing it on your crown; and at the end, when the universe is withdrawn, you alone remain. Your anger is for universal instruction, not out of hatred or envy; you, upholding sattva, are ever intent on protection. Salutations to you, soul of all beings, bearer of all powers, imperishable one; creator of the universe, we bow to you and take refuge in you.” Śuka continues: Thus, as those who had sought refuge trembled and pleaded, Balarama was pleased. Fully satisfied, he granted them fearlessness, saying, “Do not be afraid.” Duryodhana then offered tribute: sixty-year-old elephants and twelve thousand horses, six thousand golden chariots shining like the sun, and a thousand maidservants without necklaces, for he was fond of daughters. Accepting all these gifts, Balarama, the foremost of the Sātvatas, departed with his son and daughter-in-law, honored by his friends. Returning to his own city, Balarama entered the assembly of the Yadus, his heart affectionate toward his kin, and recounted all that had transpired among the Kurus. Even today, that city, bearing the mark of Rama’s might, stands elevated to the south of the Ganga, visible to all. Thus ends the sixty-eighth chapter, entitled “The Victory of Sankarshana in the Form of Dragging Hastinapura,” of the Uttara section of the Tenth Book of the glorious Bhagavata Purana. Now, as the story continues, Śuka says: Hearing that Naraka had been slain and that Krishna alone had wed many women, the sage Narada became eager to see for himself the Lord’s household conduct.