With the mighty Śārṅga bow in his hands, Kṛṣṇa released a volley of arrows that severed the head of Pauṇḍraka, casting it into the heart of Kāśi city. The people there, still mourning, were struck with wonder at this astonishing sight. Having thus slain both Pauṇḍraka and the king of Kāśi along with their followers, Śauri—another name for Kṛṣṇa—returned to Dvāravatī, his heart rejoicing as if he had ascended to heaven itself. When the people of Kāśi beheld the fallen head in their city, they were bewildered and asked one another in amazement, “What is this?” Realizing that their king had been slain by Vāsudeva, the king’s son, accompanied by the family priest, went to seek the favor of Śaṅkara, Lord Shiva. They approached him at the sacred place called Avimukta. Pleased by their devotion, Śaṅkara said to the prince, “Choose a boon.” The prince replied, “O Lord, by your grace, let a magical being arise to destroy Kṛṣṇa, the slayer of my father.” Śaṅkara consented, “So it shall be.” Instantly, from the southern sacrificial fire, there emerged a formidable Kritya—a magical being—born of that very fire. She appeared with a mouth fierce as flames, her hair ablaze and wild, her entire form radiating fury. Crying out “Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!” she rushed toward Dvāravatī. The people of Dvāravatī, their eyes wide with terror, fled to Madhusudana—Kṛṣṇa, the refuge of the worlds—pleading for protection. Kṛṣṇa, the wielder of the discus, understood that this terrible Kritya had been produced by the daughter of the king of Kāśi after she had worshipped Lord Shiva, the one with the bull-banner. He resolved, “Destroy this fierce Kritya, whose flaming hair blazes, with your discus—the Sudarshana—which, playfully hurled, brings about the destruction of the wicked.” Obedient to the will of Kṛṣṇa, the Sudarshana discus sped forth, pursuing the terrifying Kritya, who was wreathed in a garland of flames and whose matted locks spewed fire. Struck by the discus, the Kritya of Maheshvara was scattered, yet driven by her own speed, she pressed on, with the discus relentlessly following her. In desperation, the Kritya entered Varanasi itself, her power now checked by the might of Vishnu’s discus. At this, the formidable army of Kāśi, joined by the forces of the Piśāchas—ghoulish beings—marshaled their weapons and missiles and advanced against the discus. But the Sudarshana, skillful in the art of warfare, unleashed its energy, burning up the entire army, consuming the Kritya, and setting the whole city of Varanasi aflame. The city, together with its king, servants, citizens, horses, elephants, men, treasures, and storehouses, was utterly destroyed—a sight so fearsome that even the gods could scarcely bear to witness it. Every house, wall, and courtyard was engulfed in fire, as Hari’s discus reduced the city to ashes. Yet, undiminished in its power, fierce in its wrath, and flashing with radiant light, the Sudarshana discus returned to the hand of Vishnu, having accomplished its difficult task. At this point, Maitreya, the sage, spoke: “O revered one, I wish to hear again of the valorous deeds of wise Balabhadra. I have heard of the drawing of the Yamuna and other feats—please, tell me what else Bala has done.” Parāśara replied: “Listen, Maitreya, to the deeds performed by the mighty and immeasurable Ananta—Balarāma, the supporter of the earth—among the Yadus. Once, the heroic Samba, son of Jāmbavatī, seized by force the daughter of Duryodhana at her svayamvara. Enraged, the mighty Karna, Duryodhana, and others, together with Bhīṣma and Droṇa, captured the victorious Samba. When the Yadavas heard of this, they were filled with anger against Duryodhana and his companions and resolved to make a great effort to rescue Samba. But Balarāma restrained them, speaking with pride, ‘They will release him at my command; I alone shall go to the Kauravas.’ Recognizing Balarāma’s arrival, Duryodhana and the other kings received him with customary hospitality—offering a cow, arghya, and water. After accepting these honors, Balarāma addressed the Kauravas: ‘Ugrasena commands you—release Śāmba at once.’ Hearing this, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Duryodhana, and the rest were angered. All the Kauravas, including Vāhlīka, spoke with indignation: ‘Are we to submit to the commands of a Yādava, the wielder of the mace, unfit to rule? What is this command you speak, Balarāma? What Yādava will give orders to the Kuru dynasty? If even Ugrasena gives us commands, then enough of these royal honors!’ They continued, ‘Go away, Bala! Śāmba acted wrongly and deserves punishment. We will not release him at your command, nor at Ugrasena’s order. The respect we showed the Kukuras and Andhakas was out of our nobility. Why now do you command us as a master commands a servant? You have grown proud, being treated as equals at our seats and meals. We cannot be blamed if, out of affection, we did not treat you as inferiors. The arghya we offered you, Bala, was out of courtesy, not because it is our custom or fitting for your lineage.’ Having spoken thus, all the Kurus declared, ‘We will not release the son of Hari!’ and, resolute in their decision, quickly entered their assembly hall, Gajasāhvaya. At this, Halāyudha—Balarāma—was overcome with fury and trembling with rage at this insult. He struck the earth with his heel, causing it to split open with a thunderous sound that echoed in all directions. With eyes blazing red and his face twisted in anger, he declared, ‘Ah! This arrogance belongs to those whose hearts are empty.