Sri Krishna, with the help of Rama, the Yadavas and the Pandavas, killed
the Daityas, born as Kings. He made the Pandavas his instruments in the
great war. When the Kings on both sides and their armies were killed,
Sri Krishna thought within himself: -- "The pressure is not yet all
removed from the earth. For these powerful Yadavas, backed by me, have
become mad with power. I shall bring on disunion among them, which will
be the cause of their death. Then I can have rest and may go to my own
abode."
Visva-mitra, Asita, Kanva, Durvasas, Bhrigu, Angiras, Kasyapa, Vamadeva,
Atri, Vasistha, Narada and other Rishis went to a sacred place called
Pindaraka near Dvaraka. The Yadava boys were playing among themselves.
They dressed Samba, son of Jambavati, as a girl and took him to the
Rishis, saying she was pregnant and inquiring whether she would have a
son or a daughter. The Rishis could not bear this impertinence and they
said: -- "O you fools, she will bring forth a _Mushala_ (a pestle) that
will be the ruin of your line." The boys were terrified. Samba did
produce an iron pestle. They took the pestle and went home. The boys
related the story to all the Yadavas. Ahuka, the chief of the clan,
ordered the pestle to be ground down to powder and the powder to be
thrown into the Sea. This was done, but a portion remained. That portion
was also thrown into the Sea. A fish swallowed the iron piece. The fish
was caught by a fisherman. He made two spears of the iron found in the
fish. The powdered iron grains were carried by the waves to the coast
and there they grew into reeds.