How astonishing is the play of time! Through its unstoppable movement, those who once served now ascend to power—one who seeks to rise wears shoes, while his head is crowned. The Vṛṣṇis, flourishing in their youth, have been welcomed as equals, sharing our beds, seats, and meals; we have even granted them royal seats. They enjoy the fan, the fly-whisk, the conch, the white umbrella, the crown, the throne, and the bed—all the marks of royalty—simply because we neglected our own status. Enough! The Yādavas, honored with royal insignia by our own hands, are like nectar given to serpents; by our favor, they have prospered, and now, shamelessly, they command us. Even mighty Indra, with the Kurus—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna, and others—could not seize what was not given, as a lion snatches prey in the forest. At this, Śrī Bādarāyaṇa tells us, the pride of the Kurus, swollen by birth, kinship, and wealth, made them arrogant. O best of the Bharatas, after uttering such harsh words to Rāma, these uncivil men entered their city. Witnessing their wickedness and hearing their insults, Acyuta—angered and fearsome—laughed and spoke repeatedly. "Surely, these evil ones, puffed up with pride, do not seek peace. For them, restraint is punishment, just as a stick is for animals. I came here desiring peace, having soothed the anger of the Yādus and Kṛṣṇa. Yet these dull-minded, quarrelsome men have repeatedly disregarded me and spoken disrespectfully, blinded by their pride. Is not Ugrasena the mighty lord, ruler of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis, and Andhakas, whom even Indra and the guardians of the worlds obey? He, who entered Sudharmā and brought the Pārijāta tree from the immortal realms, is surely not unworthy of the royal seat. At his feet, Śrī herself serves directly—the sovereign of all! Is he not worthy of royal honors and paraphernalia? The dust of his lotus feet is borne by the crowns of all the guardians of the worlds; he is worshipped as the holiest of the holy. Brahmā, Śiva, and I are but portions of his portion, and Śrī herself serves him eternally—how can there be a royal seat high enough for him?" Yet, the Vṛṣṇis now enjoy the land granted by the Kurus, while we are like shoes beneath them, and the Kurus are the crown upon the head. Who could tolerate or teach those intoxicated by wealth, whose speech is harsh and incoherent, like the babbling of the drunken and proud? Enraged, Balarāma 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 toward the Ganga, intent on striking. As the city, pulled into the river, spun like a boat caught in a whirlpool, the Kauravas saw their home being dragged away and were seized with panic. Desperate to survive, the Kauravas, with their families, approached Balarāma for refuge, placing Lakshmana and Samba at the forefront. With joined palms, they bowed to the Lord. "O Rāma, foundation of all, we do not know your power. Please forgive our offense, for we are foolish and misguided. You alone are the cause, without dependence, of creation, maintenance, and dissolution. O Lord, the wise say the worlds are your playthings, and you play with them. You alone, O endless one, bear the earth with your thousand heads, supporting it playfully on your crown; at the end of the universe, you alone remain, unique and unsurpassed. Your anger is for universal instruction, not out of hatred or envy; you, upholding sattva, are ever intent on the protection of existence. Salutations to you, the soul of all beings, bearer of all powers, imperishable one; O creator of the universe, we bow to you and take refuge in you." Śuka narrates: Thus, by those who had taken refuge—distressed and trembling—Balarāma was pleased and, fully satisfied, granted them fearlessness, saying, "Do not be afraid." In gratitude, Duryodhana gave as tribute sixty-year-old elephants and twelve thousand horses. He offered six thousand golden chariots, shining like the sun, and a thousand maidservants without necklaces, being fond of daughters. Having accepted these offerings, the Lord, foremost among the Sātvatas, departed with his son and daughter-in-law, honored by his friends. Then Halāyudha (Balarāma) entered his own city, his heart full of affection for his kin. In the assembly of the Yadus, he recounted all his deeds among the Kurus. Even today, that city—bearing the mark of Rāma’s might—stands raised to the south of the Ganga, visible to all. Thus ends the sixty-eighth chapter, "The Victory of Sankarshana in the Form of Dragging Hastinapura," in the Uttara section of the Tenth Book of the glorious Bhāgavata Purāṇa. Now, the story turns to the household conduct of the Lord, as witnessed by the sage Nārada. Śuka said: Hearing that Naraka was slain and that many women had been wed by Kṛṣṇa alone, Nārada’s curiosity was piqued—how could it be that, with a single body, he simultaneously married eight thousand and two hundred women, each in their own home? Eager to behold this marvel, the divine sage Nārada journeyed to Dvārakā. There, gardens and parks bloomed in full glory, filled with the voices of flocks of birds and the chanting of brahmins. The lakes were adorned with fully blossomed blue lotuses, water lilies, day-blooming lotuses, and kumudas; tall reeds swayed, and the air echoed with the calls of swans and cranes. The city itself was graced with nine hundred thousand palaces, built of crystal and silver, resembling great emeralds, and furnished with golden and jeweled decorations. Its avenues, streets, squares, and marketplaces were distinct; beautiful halls and assembly chambers stood beside celestial temples. The roads, courtyards, alleys, and thresholds were sprinkled with water, while flags and banners shielded the city from the sun. Within, the splendid inner chambers were honored by all the householders; here, Hari’s own skill was fully displayed, as if crafted by Tvaṣṭṛ himself. Entering one among the sixteen thousand beautifully adorned mansions—a grand residence belonging to one of Śauri’s wives—Nārada prepared to witness the Lord’s wondrous household life.