99 - Glory of Balarāma

The sages said: 

1. Osage, we wish to hear again about the exploits of the intelligent Balarama. It behoves you to recount his heroism unto us. 

2. His exploits, such as dragging Yamuna have already been heard by us here. Hence, blessed one, kindly recount anything else which Bala performed. 

Vyāsa said: 

3. Osages, listen to the activities carried out by Rama the infinite one, the unmeasurable one, the incarnation of Sesa, the holder of the Earth. 

4. Samba the heroic son of Jambavati forcefully abducted Duryodhana's daughter whose Svayamvara was awaited. 

5. Then thc infuriated Karņa, Duryodhana and others including Bhīşma and Droņa of great prowess bound him after conquering him. 

6. On hearing about it, О sages, the Yadavas became furious with Duryodhana and made efforts to kill the Kauravas by way of retaliation. 

7. Bala stopped them and spoke to them although his words were indistinct through inebriation:-

"I alone will go unto the Kauravas. At my instance they will let him off". 

8. Then Balarama went to Hastinapura. He camped in the middle of a park at the outskirts of the city. He did not enter it. 

9. On coming to know that Balarama had arrived, Duryodhana and others brought unto him by way of presents, greetings, along with Arghya and water for drinking. 

10. After duly accepting those things he said to the Kauravas—"It is Ugrasena's order-Release Samba quickly". 

Vyāsa said: 

11. O excellent brahmins, on hearing his words, Bhisma, Droņa, Karna, Duryodhana and others became angry. 

12. Bāhlīka and all other kings too, were angry on seeing Balarama who had the threshing rod for his weapon and realizing that the race of Yadu did not deserve a kingdom, they said: The Kauravas said: 

13. O Balarama, what is it that you say? Which Yadava will pass an order on those who are born of Kuru's family? 

14. If even Ugrasena can pass orders on Kauravas, enough of the white umbrellas and ornaments befitting kings. 

15. Hence, go back, O Balarama. Neither at your bidding will we release Samba whose activities are unjust. 

16. Formerly, Kukuras and Andhakas used to bow unto us, for we are worthy of that honour. Now-a-days that usual obeisance is not made. What is this commanding attitude of a servant towards a master? 

17-18. (Defective) You have become haughty because you have been invited for feasts and offered seats on the basis of equality. It is not your fault that good polity pleases only when it is not expected (hopefully). He who has been mentioned by you, O Bala, is worthy of being worshipped by us and treated with love. But that has not been acquired by your family from ours. 

Vyāsa said: 

19. After saying this the Kauravas remained adamant. They did not release Krishna's son. After making this unanimous decision they entered Hastinapura. 

20. Maddened by the anger originating from the insult, Balarāma lifted up his rugged ploughshare and rolled it. 

21. Then the ground was pierced as the noble Balarama kicked it with his heel. He clapped his hands filling the quarters with the sound with his eyes turned copper-coloured and knitting the eyebrows in the face he said: 

Balarama said: 

22. Alas, the insignificant wicked haughty Kauravas wish to rule over us. It is brought about by adverse time. 

23-24. The behest of Ugrasena cannot be transgressed. It is virtually awaited by Indra along with Devas. Still these people do not care for Ugrasena's command. 

Ugrasena always occupies a seat in the divine assembly hall of Indra. But fie upon the satisfaction these people derive from the ordinary throne of a king that had been enjoyed by hundreds of men and then left over like the leavings of food. 

25. The womenfolk of the servants of Ugrasena wear bunches of flower, of Pärijäta tree, still he is not a king for these people. 

26. Let Ugrasena, the lord of kings stay by. I shall go to that city after making the Earth devoid of Kauravas. 

27-29. I shall kill all these viz. Karna, Duryodhana, Drona, Bhişma, Bahlika, Duḥśāsana, Bhūriśravas, Somadatta, Sala, Bhima, Arjuna, Yudhisthira, the twin-borns Nakula and Sahadeva, and others along with their horses, elephants and chariots. I will take the heroic Sămba accompanied by his wife to Dvaraka and inform Ugrasena and other kinsmen. 

30-33. O I shall hurl Hastinapura immediately into Gangå along with the Kauravas. I have been urged by the king of Devas to reduce the burden of the Earth. 

Vyāsa said: 

After saying this, Balarāma, whose emblem was a palm tree and whose weapon was ploughshare, placed it with its face downwards on the top of the city outer wall and pulled. Suddenly, the city of Hastinapura rolled. On seeing it the Kauravas were agitated in their hearts. They cried out: -

The Kaurvas said: 

34-35. O Rama, of great arms, let (everything) be for given by you. May the fury be restrained. Be pleased (O lord) with the threshing rod for your weapon. Sämba is released along with his wife. O Bala, your strength is realized. Let the guilt of those who have not understood your prowess be for given. 

Vyāsa said: 

36-39. O leading sages, the Kauravas came out of their city immediately and released Samba along with his wife. 

When Bhīşma, Droņa, Krupa and others bowed to him and spoke pleasing words, Bala the most excellent among the strong ones, said "I have forgiven". 

O brahmins, even today that city appears as though it had been tossed about. Such is the power of Rama. He was fully endowed with strength and vigour. 

Then the Kauravas duly honoured Sämba along with Balarama. They bade farewell to him after offering him the appropriate dowry and sending his bride along with him.