Balarama

In Mahabharata: The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time, Balarama saw Bhima strike Duryodhana. Duryodhana lay on the ground with his thighs broken, and Bhima approached him in anger. Bhima recalled Duryodhana's insults to Draupadi and his offences against Yudhishthira. He kicked the fallen warrior and placed his foot on the Kaurava's head while claiming that the defeat avenged the wrongs done to the Pandavas. The sight shocked many of the Pandava warriors, who cried out in shame. Balarama witnessed the blow and the abuse that followed it.

Balarama's anger was directed at the manner of the victory. He called out that no stroke should be aimed beneath the belt and that Bhima had broken the ancient rule of fair fighting. Duryodhana was Balarama's beloved pupil, and Balarama said that Bhima had brought disgrace on his teacher by striking him below the waist. He raised his plough, his personal weapon, and rushed at Bhima, declaring that he would avenge Duryodhana's death. Krishna ran to him and held him back. He asked Balarama to restrain his fury, while saying that the act was perhaps against the rules of fair fighting. Krishna said that what Bhima did was right, although it was against the rules of fair fighting.