*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 68.* Lakshanâ, daughter of Duryodhana, was to select her own husband, and there was an assembly of princes. Sâmba, son of Jâmbavati, carried away the girl by force. The Kauravas could not brook this insult. Bhishma, Kâma, Salya, Bhûri, Yajna Ketu and Duryodhana united to defeat Sâmba and they brought him back as a prisoner. Nârada gave the information to the Vrishnis and their chief Ugrasena gave them permission to fight with the Kauravas. Balarama did not like that the Kurus and Yadus should fight with one another. So he went himself to Hastinâpura. He remained outside the town and sent Uddhava to learn the views of Dhrita-Râshtra. The Kurus came in a body to receive Balarâma. When the formalities were over, Balarâma composedly asked the Kurus, in the name of king Ugrasena, to restore Sâmba. The Kurus proudly replied: "We have given the kingdom to the Vrishnis and Yadus. A wonder indeed, they want to become our equals and to dictate to us! Surely the lamb cannot take away the lion’s game." Balarâma thought how foolish the Kurus had become. They did not know the powers of Ugrasena and of Krishna. In anger he exclaimed, "I will make the earth to be stripped of all Kauravas" He took his plough and gave a pull to Hastinâpura. The town became topsy-turvy. The Kurus came and adored him. They brought back Sâmba and Lakshanâ. Duryodhana made large presents and Balarâma became appeased. He went back with Sâmba and his bride to Hastinâpura and related what had happened to the Yadus. NARADA AND THE WIVES OF SRI KRISHNA. *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 69.* "What a wonder that Sri Krishna married 16 thousand girls, all at one and the same time, with but one body!" So thought Nârada and he came to see things with his own eyes at Dvârakâ. He entered one of the rooms and found Krishna seated with one of the girls. Krishna washed the feet of Nârada and sprinkled the water over his body. The Rishi entered another room. Krishna was playing at dice with one of his wives and with Uddhava. He entered another room and found Krishna was taking care of his children. So he entered room after room. Krishna was either bathing or making preparations for the sacrifice, or feeding Brâhmanas, or making recitals of Gâyatrî, or riding, or driving, or taking counsel of ministers, or making gifts, or hearing recitals of sacred books. He was in one place following Dharma, in one Artha and in another Kâma. Nârada smiled and said: — "O Lord of Yoga, I know the Yogic Mâyâ, by service at Thy feet, as it is manifest in me, though hard of perception by those that are themselves under the influence of Mâyâ. Now permit me to roam about the Lokas, filled with Thy glory, singing Thy deeds, which purify all the worlds." Sri Krishna said: — "O Brâhmana, I am the teacher, the maker and the recogniser of Dharma. It is to teach people that I have resorted to all this. O Son, do not be deluded." THE RAJA SUYA AND JARASANDHA. *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 70-73.*