Chapter 99 - Glory of Balarāma

The sages said:

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

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

Vyāsa said:

3. O sages, listen to the activities carried out by Rāma the infinite one, the unmeasurable one, the incarnation of Śeṣa, the holder of the Earth.

4. Sāmba the heroic son of Jāmbavatī forcefully abducted Duryodhana’s daughter whose Svayaṃvara was awaited,

5. Then the infuriated Karṇa, Duryodhana and others including Bhīṣma and Droṇa of great prowess bound him after conquering him.

6. On hearing about it, O sages, the Yādavas 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 Balarāma went to Hastināpura. 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 Balarāma 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 Sāmba quickly”.

Vyāsa said:

11. O excellent brahmins, on hearing his words, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Duryodhana and others became angry.

12. Bāhlīka and all other kings too, were angry on seeing Balarāma 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 Balarāma, what is it that you say? Which Yādava will pass an order on those who are born of Kuru’ś family?

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

15. Hence, go back, O Balarāma. Neither at your bidding will we release Sāmba 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 Kṛṣṇa’s son. After making this unanimous decision they entered Hastināpura.

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 Balarāma 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:

Balarāma 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 Pārijāta 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. Karṇa, Duryodhana, Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Bāhlīka, Duḥśāsana, Bhūriśravas, Somadatta, Śala, Bhīma, Arjuna, Yudhiṣṭhira, the twin-borns Nakula and Sahadeva, and others along with their horses, elephants and chariots. I will take the heroic Sāmba accompanied by his wife to Dvārakā and inform Ugrasena and other kinsmen.

30-33. O I shall hurl Hastināpura immediately into Gaṅgā-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 Hastināpura rolled. On seeing it the Kauravas were agitated in their hearts. They cried out:—

The Kaurvas said:

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

Vyāsa said:

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

When Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa 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 Rāma. He was fully endowed with strength and vigour.

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