Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
Lord Balarāma Goes on Pilgrimage
This chapter describes how Lord Baladeva satisfied the brāhmaṇas by killing Balvala, bathed at various holy pilgrimage sites and attempted to dissuade Bhīmasena and Duryodhana from fighting.
At the sacrificial arena of the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya forest, a harsh wind began to blow on the new-moon day, spreading the obnoxious smell of pus and obscuring everything with dust. The demon Balvala then appeared there with a trident in his hand, his massive body pitch black and his face very frightening. Lord Baladeva caught the demon with His plow and then struck him a ferocious blow on the head with His club, killing him. The sages chanted Lord Baladeva’s glories and presented Him with lavish gifts.
Lord Balarāma then began His pilgrimage, during which He visited many holy tīrthas. When He heard news of the battle between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas, the Lord went to Kurukṣetra to try to stop the duel between Bhīma and Duryodhana. But He could not dissuade them from fighting, so deep was their enmity. Understanding that the fight was the arrangement of fate, Lord Baladeva left the battlefield and returned to Dvārakā.
Some time later, Balarāma again went to the Naimiṣāraṇya forest, where the sages performed a number of fire sacrifices on His behalf. Lord Baladeva reciprocated by granting the sages transcendental knowledge and revealing to them His eternal identity.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
तत: पर्वण्युपावृत्ते प्रचण्ड: पांशुवर्षण: ।
भीमो वायुरभूद् राजन्पूयगन्धस्तु सर्वश: ॥ १ ॥
तत: पर्वण्युपावृत्ते प्रचण्ड: पांशुवर्षण: ।
भीमो वायुरभूद् राजन्पूयगन्धस्तु सर्वश: ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
tataḥ parvaṇy upāvṛtte
pracaṇḍaḥ pāṁśu-varṣaṇaḥ
bhīmo vāyur abhūd rājan
pūya-gandhas tu sarvaśaḥ
tataḥ parvaṇy upāvṛtte
pracaṇḍaḥ pāṁśu-varṣaṇaḥ
bhīmo vāyur abhūd rājan
pūya-gandhas tu sarvaśaḥ
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; tataḥ — then; parvaṇi — the new-moon day; upāvṛtte — when it came; pracaṇḍaḥ — fierce; pāṁśu — dust; varṣaṇaḥ — raining; bhīmaḥ — frightening; vāyuḥ — a wind; abhūt — arose; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); pūya — of pus; gandhaḥ — the smell; tu — and; sarvaśaḥ — all over.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Then, on the new-moon day, O King, a fierce and frightening wind arose, scattering dust all about and spreading the smell of pus everywhere.
Devanagari
ततोऽमेध्यमयं वर्षं बल्वलेन विनिर्मितम् ।
अभवद् यज्ञशालायां सोऽन्वदृश्यत शूलधृक् ॥ २ ॥
अभवद् यज्ञशालायां सोऽन्वदृश्यत शूलधृक् ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
tato ’medhya-mayaṁ varṣaṁ
balvalena vinirmitam
abhavad yajña-śālāyāṁ
so ’nvadṛśyata śūla-dhṛk
balvalena vinirmitam
abhavad yajña-śālāyāṁ
so ’nvadṛśyata śūla-dhṛk
Synonyms
Translation
Next, onto the sacrificial arena came a downpour of abominable things sent by Balvala, after which the demon himself appeared, trident in hand.
Devanagari
तं विलोक्य बृहत्कायं भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमम् ।
तप्तताम्रशिखाश्मश्रुं दंष्ट्रोग्रभ्रुकुटीमुखम् ॥ ३ ॥
सस्मार मूषलं राम: परसैन्यविदारणम् ।
हलं च दैत्यदमनं ते तूर्णमुपतस्थतु: ॥ ४ ॥
तप्तताम्रशिखाश्मश्रुं दंष्ट्रोग्रभ्रुकुटीमुखम् ॥ ३ ॥
सस्मार मूषलं राम: परसैन्यविदारणम् ।
हलं च दैत्यदमनं ते तूर्णमुपतस्थतु: ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
taṁ vilokya bṛhat-kāyaṁ
bhinnāñjana-cayopamam
tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśruṁ
daṁṣṭrogra-bhru-kuṭī-mukham
bhinnāñjana-cayopamam
tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśruṁ
daṁṣṭrogra-bhru-kuṭī-mukham
sasmāra mūṣalaṁ rāmaḥ
para-sainya-vidāraṇam
halaṁ ca daitya-damanaṁ
te tūrṇam upatasthatuḥ
para-sainya-vidāraṇam
halaṁ ca daitya-damanaṁ
te tūrṇam upatasthatuḥ
Synonyms
tam — him; vilokya — seeing; bṛhat — immense; kāyam — whose body; bhinna — broken; añjana — of black eye-makeup; caya — a pile; upamam — resembling; tapta — burning; tāmra — (colored like) copper; śikhā — whose topknot; śmaśrum — and beard; daṁṣṭrā — with its teeth; ugra — fearsome; bhru — of eyebrows; kuṭī — with furrows; mukham — whose face; sasmāra — remembered; mūṣalam — His club; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; para — opposing; sainya — armies; vidāraṇam — which tears asunder; halam — His plow; ca — and; daitya — demons; damanam — which subdues; te — they; tūrṇam — at once; upatasthatuḥ — presented themselves.
Translation
The immense demon resembled a mass of black carbon. His topknot and beard were like molten copper, and his face had horrible fangs and furrowed eyebrows. Upon seeing him, Lord Balarāma thought of His club, which tears to pieces His enemies’ armies, and His plow weapon, which punishes the demons. Thus summoned, His two weapons appeared before Him at once.
Devanagari
तमाकृष्य हलाग्रेण बल्वलं गगनेचरम् ।
मूषलेनाहनत्क्रुद्धो मूर्ध्नि ब्रह्मद्रुहं बल: ॥ ५ ॥
मूषलेनाहनत्क्रुद्धो मूर्ध्नि ब्रह्मद्रुहं बल: ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
tam ākṛṣya halāgreṇa
balvalaṁ gagane-caram
mūṣalenāhanat kruddho
mūrdhni brahma-druhaṁ balaḥ
balvalaṁ gagane-caram
mūṣalenāhanat kruddho
mūrdhni brahma-druhaṁ balaḥ
Synonyms
tam — him; ākṛṣya — pulling toward Him; hala — of His plow; agreṇa — with the front end; balvalam — Balvala; gagane — in the sky; caram — who was moving; mūṣalena — with His club; ahanat — struck; kruddhaḥ — angry; mūrdhni — on the head; brahma — of brāhmaṇas; druham — the harasser; balaḥ — Lord Balarāma.
Translation
With the tip of His plow Lord Balarāma caught hold of the demon Balvala as he flew through the sky, and with His club the Lord angrily struck that harasser of brāhmaṇas on the head.
Devanagari
सोऽपतद्भुवि निर्भिन्नललाटोऽसृक् समुत्सृजन् ।
मुञ्चन्नार्तस्वरं शैलो यथा वज्रहतोऽरुण: ॥ ६ ॥
मुञ्चन्नार्तस्वरं शैलो यथा वज्रहतोऽरुण: ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
so ’patad bhuvi nirbhinna-
lalāṭo ’sṛk samutsṛjan
muñcann ārta-svaraṁ śailo
yathā vajra-hato ’ruṇaḥ
lalāṭo ’sṛk samutsṛjan
muñcann ārta-svaraṁ śailo
yathā vajra-hato ’ruṇaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Balvala cried out in agony and fell to the ground, his forehead cracked open and gushing blood. He resembled a red mountain struck by a lightning bolt.
Purport
According to the ācāryas, the demon appeared reddish with blood, like a mountain red with oxide.
Devanagari
संस्तुत्य मुनयो रामं प्रयुज्यावितथाशिष: ।
अभ्यषिञ्चन् महाभागा वृत्रघ्नं विबुधा यथा ॥ ७ ॥
अभ्यषिञ्चन् महाभागा वृत्रघ्नं विबुधा यथा ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
saṁstutya munayo rāmaṁ
prayujyāvitathāśiṣaḥ
abhyaṣiñcan mahā-bhāgā
vṛtra-ghnaṁ vibudhā yathā
prayujyāvitathāśiṣaḥ
abhyaṣiñcan mahā-bhāgā
vṛtra-ghnaṁ vibudhā yathā
Synonyms
saṁstutya — sincerely praising; munayaḥ — the sages; rāmam — Lord Balarāma; prayujya — awarding; avitatha — infallible; āśiṣaḥ — benedictions; abhyaṣiñcan — ceremoniously bathed; mahā-bhāgāḥ — the great personalities; vṛtra — of Vṛtrāsura; ghnam — the killer (Lord Indra); vibudhāḥ — the demigods; yathā — as.
Translation
The exalted sages honored Lord Rāma with sincere prayers and awarded Him infallible blessings. Then they performed His ritual bath, just as the demigods had formally bathed Indra when he killed Vṛtra.
Devanagari
वैजयन्तीं ददुर्मालां श्रीधामाम्लानपङ्कजाम् ।
रामाय वाससी दिव्ये दिव्यान्याभरणानि च ॥ ८ ॥
रामाय वाससी दिव्ये दिव्यान्याभरणानि च ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
vaijayantīṁ dadur mālāṁ
śrī-dhāmāmlāna-paṅkajāṁ
rāmāya vāsasī divye
divyāny ābharaṇāni ca
śrī-dhāmāmlāna-paṅkajāṁ
rāmāya vāsasī divye
divyāny ābharaṇāni ca
Synonyms
vaijayantīm — named Vaijayantī; daduḥ — they gave; mālām — the flower garland; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; dhāma — the abode; amlāna — unfading; paṅkajām — made of lotus flowers; rāmāya — to Lord Balarāma; vāsasī — a pair of (upper and lower) garments; divye — divine; divyāni — divine; ābharaṇāni — jewelry; ca — and.
Translation
They gave Lord Balarāma a Vaijayantī garland of unfading lotuses in which resided the goddess of fortune, and they also gave Him a set of divine garments and jewelry.
Devanagari
अथ तैरभ्यनुज्ञात: कौशिकीमेत्य ब्राह्मणै: ।
स्नात्वा सरोवरमगाद् यत: सरयूरास्रवत् ॥ ९ ॥
स्नात्वा सरोवरमगाद् यत: सरयूरास्रवत् ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
atha tair abhyanujñātaḥ
kauśikīm etya brāhmaṇaiḥ
snātvā sarovaram agād
yataḥ sarayūr āsravat
kauśikīm etya brāhmaṇaiḥ
snātvā sarovaram agād
yataḥ sarayūr āsravat
Synonyms
Translation
Then, given leave by the sages, the Lord went with a contingent of brāhmaṇas to the Kauśikī River, where He bathed. From there He went to the lake from which flows the river Sarayū.
Devanagari
अनुस्रोतेन सरयूं प्रयागमुपगम्य स: ।
स्नात्वा सन्तर्प्य देवादीन्जगाम पुलहाश्रमम् ॥ १० ॥
स्नात्वा सन्तर्प्य देवादीन्जगाम पुलहाश्रमम् ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
anu-srotena sarayūṁ
prayāgam upagamya saḥ
snātvā santarpya devādīn
jagāma pulahāśramam
prayāgam upagamya saḥ
snātvā santarpya devādīn
jagāma pulahāśramam
Synonyms
Translation
The Lord followed the course of the Sarayū until He came to Prayāga, where He bathed and then performed rituals to propitiate the demigods and other living beings. Next He went to the āśrama of Pulaha Ṛṣi.
Purport
Pulahāśrama is also known as Hari-kṣetra.
Devanagari
गोमतीं गण्डकीं स्नात्वा विपाशां शोण आप्लुत: ।
गयां गत्वा पितृनिष्ट्वा गङ्गासागरसङ्गमे ॥ ११ ॥
उपस्पृश्य महेन्द्राद्रौ रामं दृष्ट्वाभिवाद्य च ।
सप्तगोदावरीं वेणां पम्पां भीमरथीं तत: ॥ १२ ॥
स्कन्दं दृष्ट्वा ययौ राम: श्रीशैलं गिरिशालयम् ।
द्रविडेषु महापुण्यं दृष्ट्वाद्रिं वेङ्कटं प्रभु: ॥ १३ ॥
कामकोष्णीं पुरीं काञ्चीं कावेरीं च सरिद्वराम् ।
श्रीरङ्गाख्यं महापुण्यं यत्र सन्निहितो हरि: ॥ १४ ॥
ऋषभाद्रिं हरे: क्षेत्रं दक्षिणां मथुरां तथा ।
सामुद्रं सेतुमगमत्महापातकनाशनम् ॥ १५ ॥
गयां गत्वा पितृनिष्ट्वा गङ्गासागरसङ्गमे ॥ ११ ॥
उपस्पृश्य महेन्द्राद्रौ रामं दृष्ट्वाभिवाद्य च ।
सप्तगोदावरीं वेणां पम्पां भीमरथीं तत: ॥ १२ ॥
स्कन्दं दृष्ट्वा ययौ राम: श्रीशैलं गिरिशालयम् ।
द्रविडेषु महापुण्यं दृष्ट्वाद्रिं वेङ्कटं प्रभु: ॥ १३ ॥
कामकोष्णीं पुरीं काञ्चीं कावेरीं च सरिद्वराम् ।
श्रीरङ्गाख्यं महापुण्यं यत्र सन्निहितो हरि: ॥ १४ ॥
ऋषभाद्रिं हरे: क्षेत्रं दक्षिणां मथुरां तथा ।
सामुद्रं सेतुमगमत्महापातकनाशनम् ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
gomatīṁ gaṇḍakīṁ snātvā
vipāśāṁ śoṇa āplutaḥ
gayāṁ gatvā pitṝn iṣṭvā
gaṅgā-sāgara-saṅgame
vipāśāṁ śoṇa āplutaḥ
gayāṁ gatvā pitṝn iṣṭvā
gaṅgā-sāgara-saṅgame
upaspṛśya mahendrādrau
rāmaṁ dṛṣṭvābhivādya ca
sapta-godāvarīṁ veṇāṁ
pampāṁ bhīmarathīṁ tataḥ
rāmaṁ dṛṣṭvābhivādya ca
sapta-godāvarīṁ veṇāṁ
pampāṁ bhīmarathīṁ tataḥ
skandaṁ dṛṣṭvā yayau rāmaḥ
śrī-śailaṁ giriśālayam
draviḍeṣu mahā-puṇyaṁ
dṛṣṭvādriṁ veṅkaṭaṁ prabhuḥ
śrī-śailaṁ giriśālayam
draviḍeṣu mahā-puṇyaṁ
dṛṣṭvādriṁ veṅkaṭaṁ prabhuḥ
kāma-koṣṇīṁ purīṁ kāñcīṁ
kāverīṁ ca sarid-varām
śrī-rangākhyaṁ mahā-puṇyaṁ
yatra sannihito hariḥ
kāverīṁ ca sarid-varām
śrī-rangākhyaṁ mahā-puṇyaṁ
yatra sannihito hariḥ
ṛṣabhādriṁ hareḥ kṣetraṁ
dakṣiṇāṁ mathurāṁ tathā
sāmudraṁ setum agamat
mahā-pātaka-nāśanam
dakṣiṇāṁ mathurāṁ tathā
sāmudraṁ setum agamat
mahā-pātaka-nāśanam
Synonyms
gomatīm — at the Gomatī River; gaṇḍakīm — the Gaṇḍakī River; snātvā — bathing; vipāśām — at the Vipāśā River; śoṇe — in the Śoṇa River; āplutaḥ — having immersed Himself; gayām — to Gayā; gatvā — going; pitṝn — His forefathers; iṣṭvā — worshiping; gaṅgā — of the Ganges; sāgara — and the ocean; saṅgame — at the confluence; upaspṛśya — touching water (bathing); mahā-indra-adrau — at the Mahendra Mountain; rāmam — Lord Paraśurāma; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; abhivādya — honoring; ca — and; sapta-godāvarīm — (going) to the convergence of the seven Godāvarīs; veṇām — the Veṇā River; pampām — the Pampā River; bhīmarathīm — and the Bhīmarathī River; tataḥ — then; skandam — Lord Skanda (Kārttikeya); dṛṣṭvā — seeing; yayau — went; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; śrī-śailam — to Śrī-śaila; giri-śa — of Lord Śiva; ālayam — the residence; draviḍeṣu — in the southern provinces; mahā — most; puṇyam — pious; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; adrim — the hill; veṅkaṭam — known as Veṅkaṭa (the abode of Lord Bālajī); prabhuḥ — the Supreme Lord; kāma-koṣṇīm — to Kāmakoṣṇī; purīm kāñcīm — to Kāñcīpuram; kāverīm — to the Kāverī; ca — and; sarit — of rivers; varām — the greatest; śrī-raṅga-ākhyam — known as Śrī-raṅga; mahā-puṇyam — most pious place; yatra — where; sannihitaḥ — manifested; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa (in the form of Raṅganātha); ṛṣabha-adrim — the Ṛṣabha Mountain; hareḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu; kṣetram — the place; dakṣiṇām mathurām — the southern Mathurā (Madurai, the abode of Goddess Mīnākṣī); tathā — also; sāmudram — on the ocean; setum — to the bridge (Setubandha); agamat — He went; mahā — the greatest; pātaka — sins; nāśanam — which destroys.
Translation
Lord Balarāma bathed in the Gomatī, Gaṇḍakī and Vipāśā rivers, and also immersed Himself in the Śoṇa. He went to Gayā, where He worshiped His forefathers, and to the mouth of the Ganges, where He performed purifying ablutions. At Mount Mahendra He saw Lord Paraśurāma and offered Him prayers, and then He bathed in the seven branches of the Godāvarī River, and also in the rivers Veṇā, Pampā and Bhīmarathī. Then Lord Balarāma met Lord Skanda and visited Śrī-śaila, the abode of Lord Giriśa. In the southern provinces known as Draviḍa-deśa the Supreme Lord saw the sacred Veṅkaṭa Hill, as well as the cities of Kāmakoṣṇī and Kāñcī, the exalted Kāverī River and the most holy Śrī-raṅga, where Lord Kṛṣṇa has manifested Himself. From there He went to Ṛṣabha Mountain, where Lord Kṛṣṇa also lives, and to the southern Mathurā. Then He came to Setubandha, where the most grievous sins are destroyed.
Purport
Usually one goes to Gayā to worship deceased forefathers. But as Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains, although Lord Balarāma’s father and grandfather were still alive, it was on His father’s order that He carefully worshiped His forefathers at Gayā. Drawing insight from the Vaiṣṇava-toṣaṇī, the ācārya further explains that although Lord Balarāma was in the immediate proximity of Jagannātha Purī, He did not go there, since He wanted to avoid the embarrassment of having to worship Himself among the forms of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Balabhadra and Subhadrā.
Devanagari
तत्रायुतमदाद् धेनूर्ब्राह्मणेभ्यो हलायुध: ।
कृतमालां ताम्रपर्णीं मलयं च कुलाचलम् ॥ १६ ॥
तत्रागस्त्यं समासीनं नमस्कृत्याभिवाद्य च ।
योजितस्तेन चाशीर्भिरनुज्ञातो गतोऽर्णवम् ।
दक्षिणं तत्र कन्याख्यां दुर्गां देवीं ददर्श स: ॥ १७ ॥
कृतमालां ताम्रपर्णीं मलयं च कुलाचलम् ॥ १६ ॥
तत्रागस्त्यं समासीनं नमस्कृत्याभिवाद्य च ।
योजितस्तेन चाशीर्भिरनुज्ञातो गतोऽर्णवम् ।
दक्षिणं तत्र कन्याख्यां दुर्गां देवीं ददर्श स: ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
tatrāyutam adād dhenūr
brāhmaṇebhyo halāyudhaḥ
kṛtamālāṁ tāmraparṇīṁ
malayaṁ ca kulācalam
brāhmaṇebhyo halāyudhaḥ
kṛtamālāṁ tāmraparṇīṁ
malayaṁ ca kulācalam
tatrāgastyaṁ samāsīnaṁ
namaskṛtyābhivādya ca
yojitas tena cāśīrbhir
anujñāto gato ’rṇavam
dakṣiṇaṁ tatra kanyākhyāṁ
durgāṁ devīṁ dadarśa saḥ
namaskṛtyābhivādya ca
yojitas tena cāśīrbhir
anujñāto gato ’rṇavam
dakṣiṇaṁ tatra kanyākhyāṁ
durgāṁ devīṁ dadarśa saḥ
Synonyms
tatra — there (at Setubandha, known also as Rāmeśvaram); ayutam — ten thousand; adāt — He gave away; dhenūḥ — cows; brahmaṇebhyaḥ — to brāhmaṇas; hala-āyudhaḥ — Lord Balarāma, whose weapon is the plow; kṛtamālām — to the Kṛtamālā River; tāmraparṇīm — the Tāmraparṇī River; malayam — Malaya; ca — and; kula-acalam — the principal mountain range; tatra — there; agastyam — to Agastya Ṛṣi; samāsīnam — sitting (in meditation); namaskṛtya — bowing down; abhivādya — glorifying; ca — and; yojitaḥ — granted; tena — by him; ca — and; āśīrbhiḥ — blessings; anujñātaḥ — given permission to leave; gataḥ — He went; arṇavam — to the ocean; dakṣiṇam — southern; tatra — there; kanyā-ākhyām — known as Kanyā-kumārī; durgām devīm — Goddess Durgā; dadarśa — saw; saḥ — He.
Translation
There at Setubandha [Rāmeśvaram] Lord Halāyudha gave brāhmaṇas ten thousand cows in charity. He then visited the Kṛtamālā and Tāmraparṇī rivers and the great Malaya Mountains. In the Malaya range Lord Balarāma found Agastya Ṛṣi sitting in meditation. After bowing down to the sage, the Lord offered him prayers and then received blessings from him. Taking leave from Agastya, He proceeded to the shore of the southern ocean, where He saw Goddess Durgā in her form of Kanyā-kumārī.
Devanagari
तत: फाल्गुनमासाद्य पञ्चाप्सरसमुत्तमम् ।
विष्णु: सन्निहितो यत्र स्नात्वास्पर्शद् गवायुतम् ॥ १८ ॥
विष्णु: सन्निहितो यत्र स्नात्वास्पर्शद् गवायुतम् ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
tataḥ phālgunam āsādya
pañcāpsarasam uttamam
viṣṇuḥ sannihito yatra
snātvāsparśad gavāyutam
pañcāpsarasam uttamam
viṣṇuḥ sannihito yatra
snātvāsparśad gavāyutam
Synonyms
tataḥ — then; phālgunam — Phālguna; āsādya — reaching; pañca-apsarasam — the lake of the five Apsarās; uttamam — exalted; viṣṇuḥ — the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu; sannihitaḥ — manifested; yatra — wherein; snātvā — bathing; asparśat — He touched (as part of the ritual in giving as charity); gava — cows; ayutam — ten thousand.
Translation
Next He went to Phālguna-tīrtha and bathed in the sacred Pañcāpsarā Lake, where Lord Viṣṇu had directly manifested Himself. At this place He gave away another ten thousand cows.
Devanagari
ततोऽभिव्रज्य भगवान् केरलांस्तु त्रिगर्तकान् ।
गोकर्णाख्यं शिवक्षेत्रं सान्निध्यं यत्र धूर्जटे: ॥ १९ ॥
आर्यां द्वैपायनीं दृष्ट्वा शूर्पारकमगाद् बल: ।
तापीं पयोष्णीं निर्विन्ध्यामुपस्पृश्याथ दण्डकम् ॥ २० ॥
प्रविश्य रेवामगमद् यत्र माहिष्मती पुरी ।
मनुतीर्थमुपस्पृश्य प्रभासं पुनरागमत् ॥ २१ ॥
गोकर्णाख्यं शिवक्षेत्रं सान्निध्यं यत्र धूर्जटे: ॥ १९ ॥
आर्यां द्वैपायनीं दृष्ट्वा शूर्पारकमगाद् बल: ।
तापीं पयोष्णीं निर्विन्ध्यामुपस्पृश्याथ दण्डकम् ॥ २० ॥
प्रविश्य रेवामगमद् यत्र माहिष्मती पुरी ।
मनुतीर्थमुपस्पृश्य प्रभासं पुनरागमत् ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
tato ’bhivrajya bhagavān
keralāṁs tu trigartakān
gokarṇākhyaṁ śiva-kṣetraṁ
sānnidhyaṁ yatra dhūrjaṭeḥ
keralāṁs tu trigartakān
gokarṇākhyaṁ śiva-kṣetraṁ
sānnidhyaṁ yatra dhūrjaṭeḥ
āryāṁ dvaipāyanīṁ dṛṣṭvā
śūrpārakam agād balaḥ
tāpīṁ payoṣṇīṁ nirvindhyām
upaspṛśyātha daṇḍakam
śūrpārakam agād balaḥ
tāpīṁ payoṣṇīṁ nirvindhyām
upaspṛśyātha daṇḍakam
praviśya revām agamad
yatra māhiṣmatī purī
manu-tīrtham upaspṛśya
prabhāsaṁ punar āgamat
yatra māhiṣmatī purī
manu-tīrtham upaspṛśya
prabhāsaṁ punar āgamat
Synonyms
tataḥ — then; abhivrajya — traveling; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; keralān — through the kingdom of Kerala; tu — and; trigartakān — Trigarta; gokarṇa-ākhyam — named Gokarṇa (on the coast of the Arabian Sea in northern Karnataka); śiva-kṣetram — the place sacred to Lord Śiva; sānnidhyam — manifestation; yatra — where; dhūrjaṭeḥ — of Lord Śiva; āryām — the honored goddess (Pārvatī, wife of Lord Śiva); dvaipa — on an island (off the coast near Gokarṇa); ayanīm — who resides; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; śūrpārakam — to the holy district of Śūrpāraka; agāt — went; balaḥ — Lord Balarāma; tāpīm payoṣṇīm nirvindhyām — to the Tāpī, Payoṣṇī and Nirvindhyā rivers; upaspṛśya — touching water; atha — next; daṇḍakam — the Daṇḍaka forest; praviśya — entering; revām — to the Revā River; agamat — He went; yatra — where; māhiṣmatī purī — the city of Māhiṣmatī; manu-tīrtham — to Manu-tīrtha; upaspṛśya — touching water; prabhāsam — to Prabhāsa; punaḥ — again; āgamat — He came.
Translation
The Supreme Lord then traveled through the kingdoms of Kerala and Trigarta, visiting Lord Śiva’s sacred city of Gokarṇa, where Lord Dhūrjaṭi [Śiva] directly manifests himself. After also visiting Goddess Pārvatī, who dwells on an island, Lord Balarāma went to the holy district of Śūrpāraka and bathed in the Tāpī, Payoṣṇī and Nirvindhyā rivers. He next entered the Daṇḍaka forest and went to the river Revā, along which the city of Māhiṣmatī is found. Then He bathed at Manu-tīrtha and finally returned to Prabhāsa.
Devanagari
श्रुत्वा द्विजै: कथ्यमानं कुरुपाण्डवसंयुगे ।
सर्वराजन्यनिधनं भारं मेने हृतं भुव: ॥ २२ ॥
सर्वराजन्यनिधनं भारं मेने हृतं भुव: ॥ २२ ॥
Verse text
śrutvā dvijaiḥ kathyamānaṁ
kuru-pāṇḍava-saṁyuge
sarva-rājanya-nidhanaṁ
bhāraṁ mene hṛtaṁ bhuvaḥ
kuru-pāṇḍava-saṁyuge
sarva-rājanya-nidhanaṁ
bhāraṁ mene hṛtaṁ bhuvaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The Lord heard from some brāhmaṇas how all the kings involved in the battle between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas had been killed. From this He concluded that the earth was now relieved of her burden.
Devanagari
स भीमदुर्योधनयोर्गदाभ्यां युध्यतोर्मृधे ।
वारयिष्यन् विनशनं जगाम यदुनन्दन: ॥ २३ ॥
वारयिष्यन् विनशनं जगाम यदुनन्दन: ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
sa bhīma-duryodhanayor
gadābhyāṁ yudhyator mṛdhe
vārayiṣyan vinaśanaṁ
jagāma yadu-nandanaḥ
gadābhyāṁ yudhyator mṛdhe
vārayiṣyan vinaśanaṁ
jagāma yadu-nandanaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Wanting to stop the club fight then raging between Bhīma and Duryodhana on the battlefield, Lord Balarāma went to Kurukṣetra.
Devanagari
युधिष्ठिरस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा यमौ कृष्णार्जुनावपि ।
अभिवाद्याभवंस्तुष्णीं किं विवक्षुरिहागत: ॥ २४ ॥
अभिवाद्याभवंस्तुष्णीं किं विवक्षुरिहागत: ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
yudhiṣṭhiras tu taṁ dṛṣṭvā
yamau kṛṣṇārjunāv api
abhivādyābhavaṁs tuṣṇīṁ
kiṁ vivakṣur ihāgataḥ
yamau kṛṣṇārjunāv api
abhivādyābhavaṁs tuṣṇīṁ
kiṁ vivakṣur ihāgataḥ
Synonyms
yudhiṣṭhiraḥ — King Yudhiṣṭhira; tu — but; tam — Him, Lord Balarāma; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; yamau — the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva; kṛṣṇa-arjunau — Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna; api — also; abhivādya — offering obeisances; abhavan — they were; tuṣṇīm — silent; kim — what; vivakṣuḥ — intending to say; iha — here; āgataḥ — has come.
Translation
When Yudhiṣṭhira, Lord Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva saw Lord Balarāma, they offered Him respectful obeisances but said nothing, thinking “What has He come here to tell us?”
Purport
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “The reason they were silent was that Lord Balarāma was somewhat affectionate toward Duryodhana, who had learned from Balarāmajī the art of fighting with a club. Thus, when the fighting was going on, King Yudhiṣṭhira and the others thought that Balarāma might have come there to say something in favor of Duryodhana, and therefore they remained silent.”
Devanagari
गदापाणी उभौ दृष्ट्वा संरब्धौ विजयैषिणौ ।
मण्डलानि विचित्राणि चरन्ताविदमब्रवीत् ॥ २५ ॥
मण्डलानि विचित्राणि चरन्ताविदमब्रवीत् ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
gadā-pāṇī ubhau dṛṣṭvā
saṁrabdhau vijayaiṣiṇau
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi
carantāv idam abravīt
saṁrabdhau vijayaiṣiṇau
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi
carantāv idam abravīt
Synonyms
Translation
Lord Balarāma found Duryodhana and Bhīma with clubs in their hands, each furiously striving for victory over the other as they circled about skillfully. The Lord addressed them as follows.
Devanagari
युवां तुल्यबलौ वीरौ हे राजन् हे वृकोदर ।
एकं प्राणाधिकं मन्ये उतैकं शिक्षयाधिकम् ॥ २६ ॥
एकं प्राणाधिकं मन्ये उतैकं शिक्षयाधिकम् ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
yuvāṁ tulya-balau vīrau
he rājan he vṛkodara
ekaṁ prāṇādhikaṁ manye
utaikaṁ śikṣayādhikam
he rājan he vṛkodara
ekaṁ prāṇādhikaṁ manye
utaikaṁ śikṣayādhikam
Synonyms
Translation
[Lord Balarāma said:] King Duryodhana! And Bhīma! Listen! You two warriors are equal in fighting prowess. I know that one of you has greater physical power, while the other is better trained in technique.
Purport
Bhīma was physically more powerful, but Duryodhana was more advanced in terms of technique.
Devanagari
तस्मादेकतरस्येह युवयो: समवीर्ययो: ।
न लक्ष्यते जयोऽन्यो वा विरमत्वफलो रण: ॥ २७ ॥
न लक्ष्यते जयोऽन्यो वा विरमत्वफलो रण: ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
tasmād ekatarasyeha
yuvayoḥ sama-vīryayoḥ
na lakṣyate jayo ’nyo vā
viramatv aphalo raṇaḥ
yuvayoḥ sama-vīryayoḥ
na lakṣyate jayo ’nyo vā
viramatv aphalo raṇaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Since you are so evenly matched in fighting prowess, I do not see how either of you can win or lose this duel. Therefore please stop this useless battle.
Devanagari
न तद्वाक्यं जगृहतुर्बद्धवैरौ नृपार्थवत् ।
अनुस्मरन्तावन्योन्यं दुरुक्तं दुष्कृतानि च ॥ २८ ॥
अनुस्मरन्तावन्योन्यं दुरुक्तं दुष्कृतानि च ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
na tad-vākyaṁ jagṛhatur
baddha-vairau nṛpārthavat
anusmarantāv anyonyaṁ
duruktaṁ duṣkṛtāni ca
baddha-vairau nṛpārthavat
anusmarantāv anyonyaṁ
duruktaṁ duṣkṛtāni ca
Synonyms
Translation
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] They did not accept Lord Balarāma’s request, O King, although it was logical, for their mutual enmity was irrevocable. Each of them constantly remembered the insults and injuries he had suffered from the other.
Devanagari
दिष्टं तदनुमन्वानो रामो द्वारवतीं ययौ ।
उग्रसेनादिभि: प्रीतैर्ज्ञातिभि: समुपागत: ॥ २९ ॥
उग्रसेनादिभि: प्रीतैर्ज्ञातिभि: समुपागत: ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
diṣṭaṁ tad anumanvāno
rāmo dvāravatīṁ yayau
ugrasenādibhiḥ prītair
jñātibhiḥ samupāgataḥ
rāmo dvāravatīṁ yayau
ugrasenādibhiḥ prītair
jñātibhiḥ samupāgataḥ
Synonyms
diṣṭam — fate; tat — that; anumanvānaḥ — deciding; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; dvāravatīm — to Dvārakā; yayau — went; ugrasena-ādibhiḥ — headed by Ugrasena; prītaiḥ — delighted; jñātibhiḥ — by His family members; samupāgataḥ — greeted.
Translation
Concluding that the battle was the arrangement of fate, Lord Balarāma went back to Dvārakā. There He was greeted by Ugrasena and His other relatives, who were all delighted to see Him.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that the word diṣṭam, “fate,” indicates that the battle between Bhīma and Duryodhana had been enjoined by Lord Kṛṣṇa and set into motion by Him.
Devanagari
तं पुनर्नैमिषं प्राप्तमृषयोऽयाजयन् मुदा ।
क्रत्वङ्गं क्रतुभि: सर्वैर्निवृत्ताखिलविग्रहम् ॥ ३० ॥
क्रत्वङ्गं क्रतुभि: सर्वैर्निवृत्ताखिलविग्रहम् ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
taṁ punar naimiṣaṁ prāptam
ṛṣayo ’yājayan mudā
kratv-aṅgaṁ kratubhiḥ sarvair
nivṛttākhila-vigraham
ṛṣayo ’yājayan mudā
kratv-aṅgaṁ kratubhiḥ sarvair
nivṛttākhila-vigraham
Synonyms
tam — Him, Lord Balarāma; punaḥ — again; naimiṣam — at Naimiṣāraṇya; prāptam — arrived; ṛṣayaḥ — the sages; ayājayan — engaged in performing Vedic sacrifices; mudā — with pleasure; kratu — of all sacrifices; aṅgam — the embodiment; kratubhiḥ — with ritualistic performances; sarvaiḥ — all varieties; nivṛtta — who had renounced; akhila — all; vigraham — warfare.
Translation
Later Lord Balarāma returned to Naimiṣāraṇya, where the sages joyfully engaged Him, the embodiment of all sacrifice, in performing various kinds of Vedic sacrifice. Lord Balarāma was now retired from warfare.
Purport
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “[When Lord Balarāma] went to the holy place of pilgrimage at Naimiṣāraṇya,… the sages, saintly persons and brāhmaṇas all stood up to receive Him. They understood that Lord Balarāma, although a kṣatriya, was now retired from the fighting business. The brāhmaṇas and the sages, who were always for peace and tranquillity, were very pleased at this. All of them embraced Balarāma with great affection and induced Him to perform various kinds of sacrifices in that sacred spot of Naimiṣāraṇya. Actually Lord Balarāma had no business performing the sacrifices recommended for ordinary human beings; He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore He Himself is the enjoyer of all such sacrifices. As such, His exemplary action in performing sacrifices was only to give a lesson to the common man to show how one should abide by the injunctions of the Vedas.”
Devanagari
तेभ्यो विशुद्धं विज्ञानं भगवान् व्यतरद् विभु: ।
येनैवात्मन्यदो विश्वमात्मानं विश्वगं विदु: ॥ ३१ ॥
येनैवात्मन्यदो विश्वमात्मानं विश्वगं विदु: ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
tebhyo viśuddhaṁ vijñānaṁ
bhagavān vyatarad vibhuḥ
yenaivātmany ado viśvam
ātmānaṁ viśva-gaṁ viduḥ
bhagavān vyatarad vibhuḥ
yenaivātmany ado viśvam
ātmānaṁ viśva-gaṁ viduḥ
Synonyms
tebhyaḥ — upon them; viśuddham — perfectly pure; vijñānam — divine knowledge; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; vyatarat — bestowed; vibhuḥ — the Almighty; yena — by which; eva — indeed; ātmani — within Himself, the Supreme Lord; adaḥ — this; viśvam — universe; ātmānam — Himself; viśva-gam — pervading the universe; viduḥ — they could perceive.
Translation
The all-powerful Lord Balarāma bestowed upon the sages pure spiritual knowledge, by which they could see the whole universe within Him and also see Him pervading everything.
Devanagari
स्वपत्यावभृथस्नातो ज्ञातिबन्धुसुहृद् वृत: ।
रेजे स्वज्योत्स्नयेवेन्दु: सुवासा: सुष्ठ्वलङ्कृत: ॥ ३२ ॥
रेजे स्वज्योत्स्नयेवेन्दु: सुवासा: सुष्ठ्वलङ्कृत: ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
sva-patyāvabhṛtha-snāto
jñāti-bandhu-suhṛd-vṛtaḥ
reje sva-jyotsnayevenduḥ
su-vāsāḥ suṣṭhv alaṅkṛtaḥ
jñāti-bandhu-suhṛd-vṛtaḥ
reje sva-jyotsnayevenduḥ
su-vāsāḥ suṣṭhv alaṅkṛtaḥ
Synonyms
sva — together with His; patyā — wife; avabhṛtha — with the avabhṛtha ritual, which marks the end of sacrificial initiation; snātaḥ — having bathed; jñāti — by His immediate family members; bandhu — other relatives; suhṛt — and friends; vṛtaḥ — surrounded; reje — He appeared splendid; sva-jyotsnayā — with its own rays; iva — as; induḥ — the moon; su — well; vāsāḥ — dressed; suṣṭhu — nicely; alaṅkṛtaḥ — adorned.
Translation
After executing with His wife the avabhṛtha ablutions, the beautifully dressed and ornamented Lord Balarāma, encircled by His immediate family and other relatives and friends, looked as splendid as the moon surrounded by its effulgent rays.
Purport
Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully describes this scene as follows: “Lord Balarāma then took the avabhṛtha bath, which is taken after finishing sacrificial performances. After taking His bath, He dressed Himself in new silken garments and decorated Himself with beautiful jewelry. Amidst His relatives and friends, He appeared to be a shining full moon amidst the luminaries in the sky.”
Devanagari
ईदृग्विधान्यसङ्ख्यानि बलस्य बलशालिन: ।
अनन्तस्याप्रमेयस्य मायामर्त्यस्य सन्ति हि ॥ ३३ ॥
अनन्तस्याप्रमेयस्य मायामर्त्यस्य सन्ति हि ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
īdṛg-vidhāny asaṅkhyāni
balasya bala-śālinaḥ
anantasyāprameyasya
māyā-martyasya santi hi
balasya bala-śālinaḥ
anantasyāprameyasya
māyā-martyasya santi hi
Synonyms
Translation
Countless other such pastimes were performed by mighty Balarāma, the unlimited and immeasurable Supreme Lord, whose mystic Yoga-māyā power makes Him appear to be a human being.
Devanagari
योऽनुस्मरेत रामस्य कर्माण्यद्भुतकर्मण: ।
सायं प्रातरनन्तस्य विष्णो: स दयितो भवेत् ॥ ३४ ॥
सायं प्रातरनन्तस्य विष्णो: स दयितो भवेत् ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
yo ’nusmareta rāmasya
karmāṇy adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ
sāyaṁ prātar anantasya
viṣṇoḥ sa dayito bhavet
karmāṇy adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ
sāyaṁ prātar anantasya
viṣṇoḥ sa dayito bhavet
Synonyms
yaḥ — whoever; anusmareta — regularly remembers; rāmasya — of Lord Balarāma; karmāṇi — the activities; adbhuta — amazing; karmaṇaḥ — all of whose activities; sāyam — at dusk; prātaḥ — at dawn; anantasya — who is unlimited; viṣṇoḥ — to the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu; saḥ — he; dayitaḥ — dear; bhavet — becomes.
Translation
All the activities of the unlimited Lord Balarāma are amazing. Anyone who regularly remembers them at dawn and dusk will become very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Viṣṇu.
Purport
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “Lord Balarāma is the original Viṣṇu; therefore anyone remembering these pastimes of Lord Balarāma in the morning and evening will certainly become a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and thus his life will become successful in all respects.”
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Seventy-ninth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Balarāma Goes on Pilgrimage.”