They came to a place with a banyan tree called bhandiraka. It was convenient to use the branches of the banyan to mount on the shoulders of the defeated boys. Though that was the most convenient place, they mounted on each others shoulders near that place.

The loser would carry the winner on his shoulders. Bhāṇḍīraka means the tree called Bhāṇḍīra. Hari-vaṁśa (Viṣṇu-parva 11.18-22) describes the banyan tree: dadarśa vipulodagra- śākhinaṁ śākhināṁ varam sthitaṁ dharaṇyāṁ meghābhaṁ nibiḍaṁ dala-saṣcayaiḥ gaganārdhocchritākāraṁ parvatābhoga-dhāriṇam nīla-citrāṅga-varṇaiś ca sevitaṁ bahubhiḥ khagaiḥ phalaiḥ pravālaiś ca ghanaiḥ sendracāpa-ghanopamam bhavanākāra-viṭapaṁ latā-puṣpa-sumaṇḍitam viśāla-mūlāvanataṁ pāvanāmbhoda-dhāriṇam ādhipatyam ivānyeṣāṁ tasya deśasya śākhinām kurvāṇaṁ śubha-karmāṇaṁ nirāvarṣam anātapam nyagrodhaṁ parvatāgrābhaṁ bhāṇḍīraṁ nāma nāmataḥ They saw that best of all trees, which had many long branches. With its dense covering of leaves, it resembled a cloud sitting on the earth. Its form was so large that it appeared like a mountain covering half the sky. Many birds in blue and various colors frequented that great tree, whose profuse fruits and leaves made it seem like a cloud accompanied by a rainbow or like a house decorated with creepers and flowers. It spread its broad roots downward and carried upon itself the sanctified clouds. That banyan tree was like the lordly master of all other trees in that vicinity, as it performed the all-auspicious functions of warding off the rain and the heat of the sun. Such was the appearance of that banyan tree known as Bhāṇḍīra, which seemed just like the peak of a great mountain. They went there because it was suitable during the summer heat.

The loser would carry the winner on his shoulders while herding the cows. Bhāṇḍīraka means the tree called Bhāṇḍīra, or a banyan tree by name but actually a desire tree. Hari-vaṁśa (Viṣṇu-parva 11.18–22) describes the banyan tree: dadarśa vipulodagra- śākhinaṁ śākhināṁ varam sthitaṁ dharaṇyāṁ meghābhaṁ nibiḍaṁ dala-saṣcayaiḥ gaganārdhocchritākāraṁ parvatābhoga-dhāriṇam nīla-citrāṅga-varṇaiś ca sevitaṁ bahubhiḥ khagaiḥ phalaiḥ pravālaiś ca ghanaiḥ sendracāpa-ghanopamam bhavanākāra-viṭapaṁ latā-puṣpa-sumaṇḍitam viśāla-mūlāvanataṁ pāvanāmbhoda-dhāriṇam ādhipatyam ivānyeṣāṁ tasya deśasya śākhinām kurvāṇaṁ śubha-karmāṇaṁ nirāvarṣam anātapam nyagrodhaṁ parvatāgrābhaṁ bhāṇḍīraṁ nāma nāmataḥ They saw that best of all trees, which had many long branches. With its dense covering of leaves, it resembled a cloud sitting on the earth. Its form was so large that it appeared like a mountain covering half the sky. Many birds in blue and various colors frequented that great tree, whose profuse fruits and leaves made it seem like a cloud accompanied by a rainbow or like a house decorated with creepers and flowers. It spread its broad roots downward and carried upon itself the sanctified clouds. That banyan tree was like the lordly master of all other trees in the vicinity, as it performed the all-auspicious functions of warding off the rain and the heat of the sun. Such was the appearance of that banyan tree known as Bhāṇḍīra, which seemed just like the peak of a great mountain. They went there because it was suitable during the summer heat for playing, or in order to spread Balarāma’s fame. Or they went there to glorify the tree, a great friend of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, who attracts all, was put in front.