jala-yanam -- a raft; iva -- as if; aghurnam -- tumbling about; gangayam -- into the Ganges; nagaram -- the city; patat -- falling; akrishyamanam -- being dragged; alokya -- seeing; kauravah -- the Kauravas; jata -- becoming; sambhramah -- excited and bewildered; tam -- to Him, Lord Balarama; eva -- indeed; saranam -- for shelter; jagmuh -- they went; sa -- with; kutumbah -- their families; jijivishavah -- wanting to remain alive; sa -- with; lakshmanam -- Lakshmana; purah-kritya -- placing in front; sambam -- Samba; pranjalayah -- with palms joined in supplication; prabhum -- to the Lord.

Seeing that their city was tumbling about like a raft at sea as it was being dragged away, and that it was about to fall into the Ganges, the Kauravas became terrified. To save their lives they approached the Lord for shelter, taking their families with them. Placing Samba and Lakshmana in front, they joined their palms in supplication.