Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 17
Balarāma Slays Balvala and Visits Sacred Tīrthas; He Attempts to Stop Bhīma–Duryodhana
तत्रायुतमदाद् धेनूर्ब्राह्मणेभ्यो हलायुध: । कृतमालां ताम्रपर्णीं मलयं च कुलाचलम् ॥ १६ ॥ तत्रागस्त्यं समासीनं नमस्कृत्याभिवाद्य च । योजितस्तेन चाशीर्भिरनुज्ञातो गतोऽर्णवम् । दक्षिणं तत्र कन्याख्यां दुर्गां देवीं ददर्श स: ॥ १७ ॥
tatrāyutam adād dhenūr brāhmaṇebhyo halāyudhaḥ kṛtamālāṁ tāmraparṇīṁ malayaṁ ca kulācalam
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.
FAQs
This verse presents Balarāma’s dhārmic conduct during pilgrimage—honoring brāhmaṇas and supporting sacred learning through generous cow charity, a traditional act of piety and devotion.
Agastya is a revered Vedic sage associated with the South; Balarāma offers respects to him as part of honoring saintly authority, receiving blessings and permission before proceeding further on his tīrtha-yātrā.
It teaches respectful humility toward saints, purposeful pilgrimage (or spiritual discipline), and generosity—especially supporting genuine spiritual education and service-minded communities.