Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 10: Chapters: 66-69
Shukadevji tells Parikshit that while Balaramji was in Braj, the king of Karush, Paundrak, became so deluded by false pride that he began to believe he alone was the true Vasudev. Foolish flatterers constantly praised him, telling him that he was Bhagwan Himself, descended to protect the world.
Lost in this illusion, he sent a messenger to Bhagwan Krishna with the following message, “The real Vasudev is Paundrak alone. He has descended to protect all living beings. You have falsely assumed the name ‘Vasudev’ and are wearing His divine symbols. Renounce them immediately and surrender to him, prepare for war.”
When the messenger delivered this message in the royal assembly of Dwarka, Ugrasen and the other elders burst into laughter. Bhagwan Krishna then replied that He had no intention of giving up His divine emblems. Instead, He would use those very symbols, His flag, discus, conch, lotus and other divine marks, to destroy Paundrak and those who had encouraged his delusion. He warned that the pride-blinded king would soon be slain on the battlefield and his body would become food for birds and beasts.
As soon as Paundrak heard that Bhagwan Krishna was advancing toward him, he marched out with two Akshauhini divisions of troops. His ally, the king of Kashi, joined him with three more Akshauhini armies.
When Bhagwan Krishna arrived on the battlefield, He saw a truly absurd sight. Paundrak had dressed himself exactly like Krishna. He carried imitation versions of the conch, discus, mace and Sharnga bow. He wore a fake Kaustubh jewel, a false Shrivats mark, yellow garments, a forest garland and even a banner bearing Garud’s emblem. His entire appearance resembled that of an actor playing a role upon a stage.
Seeing this ridiculous imitation, Bhagwan Krishna laughed. Soon, the armies of Paundrak and the king of Kashi launched a fierce attack. Bhagwan Krishna responded with His divine weapons, swiftly destroying their vast forces. Elephants, horses, chariots and soldiers fell in great numbers. The battlefield was strewn with broken weapons, shattered chariots, and fallen warriors.
Then Bhagwan Krishna mockingly reminded Paundrak of the message he had sent.
“You demanded that I abandon My divine symbols. Now those very symbols shall be used against you. And the false title of ‘Vasudev’ that you have claimed will also be taken away.”
With His arrows, Bhagwan Krishna destroyed Paundrak’s chariot. Then, with the Sudarshan Chakra, He severed Paundrak’s head. He also cut off the head of the king of Kashi and sent it flying into the city of Kashi itself.
Having slain both kings, Bhagwan Krishna returned victoriously to Dwarka while celestial beings glorified His greatness.
Yet despite his arrogance, Paundrak had spent his entire life constantly thinking about Bhagwan Krishna, even if in imitation and rivalry. Because of that continuous remembrance, he attained Sarupya Mukti after death.
Sudakshin’s Revenge, the Appearance of the Maheshwari Kritya and the Burning of Kashi
When the severed head of the king of Kashi landed at the gates of the royal palace, the citizens were horrified. Once they recognised it, the queens, princes and townspeople broke down in grief.
The king’s son, Sudakshin, performed his father’s funeral rites and vowed to avenge his death. Determined to destroy Krishna, he undertook severe worship of Bhagwan Shiva under the guidance of priests and spiritual teachers.
Pleased with his austerities, Shivaji revealed a method by which he might seek revenge. Following His instructions, Sudakshin performed a powerful black-magic ritual. From the sacrificial fire emerged a terrifying fiery being known as a Kritya. Blazing with flames and accompanied by hosts of ghosts and spirits, it advanced toward Dwarka.
The residents of Dwarka were terrified and rushed to Bhagwan Krishna for protection. Krishna immediately recognised that this was the Maheshwari Kritya sent from Kashi.
He simply instructed the Sudarshan Chakra to stop it.
The Sudarshan Chakra overwhelmed the fiery being, extinguishing its power. Defeated, the Kritya fled back to Kashi, where it consumed Sudakshin and the priests who had performed the ritual. Then the Sudarshan Chakra proceeded to burn the entire city of Kashi before returning to Bhagwan Krishna.
Balaramji Slays Dvivid
King Parikshit then requested Shukadevji to narrate more of Balaramji’s wonderful pastimes.
Dvivid was a mighty monkey warrior, a minister of Sugriv and a close friend of Bhaumasur. When he learned that Bhagwan Krishna had slain Bhaumasur, he became consumed by thoughts of revenge.
Possessing the strength of ten thousand elephants, he began causing havoc throughout the world. He burned cities and villages, uprooted mountains, devastated regions and especially troubled Anart, the land where Bhagwan Krishna resided.
He flooded coastal areas by hurling seawater inland. He destroyed the hermitages of sages, ruined forests, polluted sacrificial grounds and disrupted religious activities. He even harassed respectable women and spread fear wherever he went.
One day, he arrived at Raivatak Mountain, where Balaramji was joyfully spending time with His family and companions amid music and festivities.
Dvivid climbed trees, shook branches, screamed loudly and created disturbances. Seeing his foolish antics, some of the women laughed. Encouraged by this attention, the monkey became even more shameless, mocking Balaramji and behaving offensively.
Balaramji became angry.
Dvivid uprooted huge trees and hurled them at Him, but Balaramji smashed them into pieces with His club. A tremendous battle followed, reducing much of the forest to ruins.
Finally, Dvivid charged directly at Balaramji. With one mighty blow, Balaramji shattered his collarbone. The monkey vomited blood, collapsed to the ground and met his end.
Balaramji’s Wrath Toward the Kauravas: Dragging Hastinapur Toward the Ganga
Samb, the son of Jambavati, was a fearless warrior. During the swayamvar of Lakshmana, the daughter of Duryodhan, he carried her away by force.
The Kauravas were enraged. Declaring Samb arrogant and unruly, they resolved to capture him.
Karna, Shala, Bhurishrava, Yajnaketu, Duryodhan and several other great warriors pursued him. Though alone, Samb fought like a lion. His extraordinary skill with the bow wounded many famous warriors and even struck their horses and charioteers.
Eventually, however, six Maharathis attacked together. They destroyed his chariot, killed his horses, cut his bow and captured him. Samb and Lakshmana were then taken to Hastinapur.
When Naradji informed the Yadavas of Samb’s capture, they became furious and prepared for war. But Balaramji felt that conflict between the two families should be avoided.
He calmed the Yadavas and personally travelled to Hastinapur with Brahmins and respected elders. After arriving, He first sent Uddhavji into the royal court.
The Kauravas welcomed Balaramji with honour. Then He delivered Maharaj Ugrasen’s message, explaining that it was unjust for many warriors to capture a single youth. Since the Yadavas had tolerated this only out of family ties, Samb and Lakshmana should now be released peacefully.
Instead of listening, the Kauravas became proud and angry. They mocked the Yadavas, claiming that all their wealth and royal honours existed only because of the Kauravas' generosity. They boasted of their own superiority and ridiculed Balaramji’s request.
Blinded by pride, they even insulted Him directly.
Balaramji’s anger blazed.
Declaring that arrogant people understand only punishment, He reminded them that the Yadavas were not dependent upon anyone’s favour. Even the gods and guardians of the universe honoured Bhagwan Krishna and His family.
Then Balaramji lifted His plough.
With its tip He hooked the city of Hastinapur and began dragging it toward the Ganga. The entire city trembled violently, as though a boat were rocking upon turbulent waters.
Terrified, the Kauravas rushed forward with Samb and Lakshmana. Bowing before Balaramji, they admitted their mistake and begged forgiveness.
Their pride shattered, they glorified Him as the support of the universe, the manifestation of Sheshnag and the all-powerful Lord.
Balaramji’s anger subsided. He forgave them, blessed them and arranged for Samb and Lakshmana’s marriage to be celebrated with honour.
Duryodhan sent his daughter away with great wealth and splendour. Balaramji then returned to Dwarka with the newly married couple.
Even today, it is said that Hastinapur remains slightly elevated on one side and slanted toward the Ganga, bearing witness to Balaramji’s extraordinary power.
Naradji Becomes Astonished on Seeing Krishna’s Yogmaya in Dwarka
Devarshi Naradji had heard that Bhagwan Krishna was simultaneously living as a householder with sixteen thousand queens, each in a separate palace. Wondering how such a thing could be possible, he decided to witness this extraordinary display of Yogmaya with his own eyes.
Thus, Naradji arrived in Dwarka.
As he entered the magnificent city, he beheld dazzling palaces adorned with jewels, splendid gardens, broad avenues and unmatched opulence. The entire city reflected divine prosperity and beauty.
Naradji first entered one of the royal palaces and was astonished by what he saw.
Bhagwan Krishna was personally present there, seated beside Rukminiji. As soon as He saw Naradji, He immediately rose from His seat, bowed respectfully and welcomed him with great humility. He washed Naradji’s feet, honoured him and spoke with affection.
Naradji was delighted, but he wanted to see more.
He entered another palace.
There, he saw Bhagwan Krishna engaged in an entirely different activity. In one palace, He was playing dice with Uddhavji. In another, He was lovingly caring for His children. Elsewhere, He was taking a bath, performing yajna, chanting prayers, giving charity, attending royal assemblies, discussing matters of state, receiving guests, arranging marriages, making treaties, performing religious duties or serving devotees.
Everywhere Naradji went, Bhagwan Krishna was personally present.
Not merely an appearance, not an illusion, but fully present in each palace at the same time.
In every palace, Bhagwan Krishna welcomed Naradji with the same affection and respect. He received him as an honoured guest, washed his feet and offered him proper hospitality.
The more Naradji observed, the more astonished he became.
He saw that Bhagwan Krishna was perfectly fulfilling the duties of an ideal householder in every palace. With each queen He displayed complete love, attention and care. Every queen felt that Krishna spent all His time with her and that she alone was the most beloved.
Yet none of them could fully comprehend the limitless mystery of His divine nature.
The queens remained enchanted by His beauty, gentle smile, loving glances and sweet words. Though they tried to attract Him through their affection, grace and devotion, Bhagwan Krishna, who is completely self-satisfied and beyond all material desires, always remained transcendental.
Even Brahma and the other celestial beings cannot fully understand the true nature of Bhagwan Krishna. Yet these queens had attained the rare fortune of serving Him as their husband. Their lives revolved around lovingly serving Him, welcoming Him, washing His feet, offering sandalwood paste and fragrant oils, preparing meals, fanning Him and caring for Him with complete devotion.
As Naradji continued visiting palace after palace, his wonder only deepened.
He realised that this astonishing display was the work of Bhagwan Krishna’s inconceivable Yogmaya, a power beyond the comprehension of even the greatest gods.
Filled with awe, Naradji offered heartfelt prayers.
He declared that Bhagwan’s Yogmaya is impossible for Brahma and other celestial beings to fully understand. Yet by serving His lotus feet with devotion, the mystery of that divine power gradually reveals itself to the hearts of devotees.
Overwhelmed with reverence, Naradji sought permission from Bhagwan Krishna to continue travelling through the three worlds, singing the glories of His sacred pastimes.
Bhagwan Krishna smiled and replied that He Himself establishes, protects and teaches Dharma. For the benefit of humanity, He performs human-like activities and demonstrates the ideal conduct of every stage of life.
He advised Naradji not to become bewildered by His Yogmaya.
Shukadevji tells King Parikshit that although Bhagwan Krishna is the one Supreme Lord, Naradji witnessed Him personally present in every palace, engaged in different activities simultaneously. Seeing this inconceivable manifestation of divine power, Naradji was filled with profound wonder.
Thus, even while performing loving and exemplary household pastimes with His queens in Dwarka, Bhagwan Krishna remained the Supreme Protector of the universe and the Master of Yogmaya.
His divine pastimes are transcendental. Hearing, chanting, and remembering them awaken loving devotion to the lotus feet of Bhagwan Krishna within the heart of every sincere soul.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 29.05.2026
