As the city of Hastināpura was pulled toward the swift current of the Ganga, it spun helplessly like a boat caught in a powerful whirlpool. The Kauravas, witnessing their city being dragged away, were overwhelmed with terror and confusion. Desperate to save themselves and their families, the Kauravas approached Lord Balarāma for refuge, humbly placing Lakshmana and Sāmba at the forefront. They bowed before Him with joined palms and pleaded, "O Rāma, foundation of all, we do not comprehend your power. Please forgive our offense, for we have acted foolishly and without understanding. "You alone are the independent cause of creation, maintenance, and dissolution. O Lord, the wise declare that the worlds are your playthings, and you sport with them as you wish. You alone, O endless one, bear the earth upon your thousand heads, supporting it effortlessly on your crown. And when the universe is withdrawn at the end, only you remain—unique and unsurpassed. "O Lord, your anger arises not from hatred or envy, but for the instruction of all beings. Ever upholding sattva, you are devoted to protecting existence. We offer our salutations to you, the soul of all beings, bearer of all powers, imperishable one. O creator of the universe, we bow before you and seek your shelter." Śuka then explained that, seeing the Kauravas trembling and distressed, Balarāma was pleased by their surrender. Fully satisfied, He granted them fearlessness, assuring them, "Do not be afraid." In gratitude, Duryodhana presented Balarāma with sixty-year-old elephants and twelve thousand horses as tribute. He offered six thousand golden chariots, shining like the sun, and a thousand maidservants—unadorned with necklaces—being fond of daughters. Accepting these gifts, the Lord, foremost among the Sātvatas, departed with His son and daughter-in-law, honored by His friends. Halāyudha, affectionate toward His kin, entered His own city and, in the assembly of the Yadus, recounted all that had transpired among the Kurus. To this day, that city, bearing the mark of Balarāma's might, stands elevated to the south of the Ganga, visible to all as a testament to His power. Thus ends the sixty-eighth chapter, "The Victory of Sankarṣaṇa in the Form of Dragging Hastināpura," from the Uttara section of the Tenth Book of the glorious Bhāgavata Purāṇa. Now, the account turns to the Lord's household life as witnessed by the sage Nārada. Śuka continued: When Nārada heard that Krishna had slain Naraka and had married many women, he grew curious and wished to see for himself how Krishna could have wed eight thousand and two hundred women, each in her own home, all with a single body. Astonished by this wondrous feat, Nārada set out for Dvārakā. As the divine sage entered the city, he beheld blooming gardens and parks, filled with the melodious voices of birds and the chanting of brahmins. The lakes were adorned with fully blossomed blue lotuses, water lilies, day-blooming lotuses, and kumudas, their waters alive with tall reeds and the calls of swans and cranes. Dvārakā itself dazzled the eye—nine hundred thousand palaces of crystal and silver, shining like great emeralds, each furnished with golden and jeweled decorations. The avenues, streets, squares, and marketplaces were distinct and orderly; beautiful halls and assembly chambers stood beside celestial temples. The roads, courtyards, alleys, and thresholds were sprinkled with water, while flags and banners offered shade from the sun. Within these splendid inner chambers, honored by all householders, Hari's own skill shone forth, as if the architect Tvaṣṭṛ himself had fashioned them. Nārada entered one of the sixteen thousand beautifully adorned mansions, a grand residence belonging to one of Krishna's wives. He saw coral pillars supporting the palace, floors of the finest lapis lazuli, sapphire walls, and ground that gleamed with unmatched brilliance. Canopies crafted by Tvaṣṭṛ hung with strings of pearls, and the seats and couches were adorned with the finest gems and ivory. Maidservants in splendid garments—yet without necklaces—and men in fine robes, sashes, turbans, and jeweled earrings filled the halls. Jeweled lamps dispelled all darkness, and in the balconies, peacocks danced. Incense and sacred offerings were arranged, and wise singers, seeing the sage's arrival, sang loudly. Among thousands of maidservants, all equal in qualities, beauty, youth, and attire, Nārada saw the queen herself fanning Lord Krishna, the lord of the Sātvatas, with a golden-handled camara. At once, Krishna—the Blessed Lord, upholder of dharma—rose from His couch, bowed with His crowned head at the sage's feet, and, with joined palms, welcomed him to His own seat. Krishna washed Nārada'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 the sage's feet is the ultimate holy place. Having honored the divine sage, the ancient ṛṣi Nārāyaṇa, friend of Nara, Krishna addressed him with sweet, measured words, as tradition prescribes: "O Lord, what may we do for you, O Blessed One?" Nārada replied, "O master of all worlds, it is no wonder that you show friendship to all, and self-restraint toward the wicked. For the welfare of the world, you descend freely and protect it, O praised one, as we well know. "Having seen your feet, which grant liberation to all, contemplated by Brahmā and other wise beings, and serving as a support for those fallen into worldly existence, I wander, meditating—please grant me your grace, so that remembrance may arise." On another day, Nārada entered the home of another of Krishna's wives, eager to witness the yoga-māyā of the lord of yogis. There, he saw Krishna engaged in a game of dice with his beloved and with Uddhava, yet as soon as Nārada entered, Krishna rose, offered him a seat, and honored him with supreme devotion. Krishna then asked, as though ignorant, "When did you arrive, O Lord? What could those like us, who are incomplete, do for those who are complete?" He further requested, "Still, O brāhmaṇa, please tell us about this beautiful birth." Amazed, Nārada silently rose and went to another house. There, too, he saw Govinda delighting his young sons; in another house, he saw Him preparing for His bath. Elsewhere, Krishna was offering oblations into sacred fires, performing sacrifices with five kinds of rituals, feeding the brāhmaṇas in some places, and in others, eating what remained. In some homes, Krishna sat at twilight, reciting the Veda with controlled speech; in others, he walked the paths of archers with sword and shield. Sometimes, Nārada saw Him traveling with horses, elephants, and chariots, accompanied by Balarāma; elsewhere, reclining on a couch, being praised by bards. Thus, Nārada witnessed the Lord simultaneously performing all the duties of household life in each home, a marvelous display of divine power and grace.