The Vṛṣṇis were enjoying the lands granted to them by the Kurus, but we ourselves felt as insignificant as shoes compared to the Kurus, who were like the crown upon the head. Who, indeed, could endure or instruct those intoxicated by wealth, whose speech was incoherent and harsh, like the proud and drunken? In a moment of anger, Balarama declared, "Today I will rid the earth of the Kauravas!" Seizing his mighty plough, he rose up, as if his wrath could burn the three worlds. With the tip of his plough, he tore open the city of Hastinapura itself, and, furious, dragged it toward the Ganga, intent on striking. The city, pulled into the river, spun like a boat caught in a whirlpool. Witnessing their city being dragged, the Kauravas were seized with panic. Desiring to live, the Kauravas, along with their families, approached Balarama for refuge, placing Lakshmana and Samba at the forefront, and bowed to the Lord with joined palms. "O Rama, foundation of all," they pleaded, "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. The wise say the worlds are your playthings, and you sport with them. You alone, O endless one, bear the earth with your thousand heads, supporting it playfully on your crown; at the end, when the universe withdraws into yourself, you alone remain, unique and unsurpassed. O Lord, 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, soul of all beings, bearer of all powers, imperishable one; creator of the universe, we bow to you and have taken refuge in you." Śuka narrated that, seeing those who had taken refuge, distressed and trembling, Balarama was pleased. Fully satisfied, he granted them fearlessness, saying, "Do not be afraid." Duryodhana, grateful and respectful, offered tribute: sixty-year-old elephants, twelve thousand horses, six thousand golden chariots shining like the sun, and a thousand maidservants without necklaces, as he was fond of daughters. Having accepted all these gifts, the Lord, foremost among the Sātvatas, departed with his son and daughter-in-law, honored by his friends. Halāyudha then entered his own city, his heart affectionate toward his relatives, and in the assembly of the Yadus, he recounted all his deeds 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 concludes 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. Turning to the next tale, Śuka continued: The household conduct of the Lord, as performed by the sage Narada—hearing that Naraka had been slain and that many women had been wed by Krishna alone, Narada was filled with wonder and desired to witness this himself. How astonishing it was, he thought, that with a single body, Krishna could simultaneously marry eight thousand and two hundred women, each in their own home. Eager to see Dvārakā, the divine sage arrived there, where gardens and parks were in full bloom, resounding with the voices of flocks of birds and brahmins. The lakes were adorned with fully blossomed blue lotuses, water lilies, day-blooming lotuses, and kumudas, filled with tall reeds and echoing with the calls of swans and cranes. The city was graced with nine hundred thousand palaces made of crystal and silver, resembling great emeralds, furnished with golden and jeweled decorations. Its avenues, streets, squares, and marketplaces were distinct; beautiful halls and assembly chambers stood alongside celestial temples. The roads, courtyards, alleys, and thresholds were sprinkled with water, and flags and banners shielded from the sun. Within, the splendid inner chambers were honored by all the householders; there, Hari's own skill was fully displayed, as if crafted by Tvaṣṭṛ himself. Narada entered one among the sixteen thousand beautifully adorned mansions, a grand residence belonging to one of Śauri's wives. The palace was supported by coral pillars, with the finest lapis lazuli floors, walls made of sapphire, and the ground shining with unmatched brilliance. Canopies crafted by Tvaṣṭṛ hung with strings of pearls, and seats and couches were adorned with the finest gems and ivory. It was decorated with maidservants wearing splendid garments but no necklaces, and men dressed in fine robes, with sashes, turbans, and jeweled earrings. The darkness was dispelled by the radiance of jeweled lamps. In the varied balconies, peacocks danced, incense and sacred offerings were arranged, and those of deep intellect, seeing the exit, sang loudly. There, among thousands of maidservants equal in qualities, beauty, youth, and attire, Narada saw the queen fanning the lord of the Sātvatas with a golden-handled camara. Beholding Narada, the Blessed Lord, greatest among all upholders of dharma, immediately rose from his couch, bowed his crowned head to the sage's feet, and, with joined palms, welcomed him to his own seat. Krishna washed the sage's feet and placed that water upon his own head, though he is the supreme teacher of the world and lord of the virtuous; for the purity of his feet, known as 'Brahmaṇyadeva,' is the ultimate holy place. Having honored the foremost of divine sages, the ancient ṛṣi Nārāyaṇa, friend of Nara, Krishna spoke to him with sweet, measured words, as prescribed by tradition: "O Lord, what may we do for you, O Blessed One?" Śrī Narada replied, "It is not surprising in you, O master of all worlds, that you show friendship to all people and self-restraint toward the wicked. For the welfare of the world, you maintain and protect it through your free descents, O praised one, as we well know. Having seen your pair of feet, which grant liberation to people, contemplated in the hearts of Brahmā and others endowed with profound wisdom, and serving as a support for those fallen into the well of worldly existence, I wander, meditating—grant me your grace, so that remembrance may arise." On another day, Narada entered the house of another wife of Krishna, desiring to understand the yoga-māyā of the lord of the yogis. There, Krishna was engaged in playing dice, together with his beloved and Uddhava, being honored with supreme devotion through rising, offering a seat, and other acts. Krishna then asked, as if ignorant, "When did you arrive, O Lord? What could those like us, who are incomplete, do for those who are complete?" Still, O brāhmaṇa, tell us about this beautiful birth. But Narada, astonished, rose and silently went to another house. Thus the wondrous deeds of the Lord unfolded before the sage, each revealing the divine play and the limitless power of Krishna.