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
At Setubandha (Rāmeśvaram), Lord Halāyudha Balarāma bestowed in charity ten thousand cows upon the brāhmaṇas. He then visited the Kṛtamālā and Tāmraparṇī rivers and the great Malaya Mountains. In the Malaya range He found Ṛṣi Agastya seated in samādhi; bowing down, He offered praises and received the sage’s blessings and leave. Thereafter He went to the shore of the southern ocean, where He beheld Goddess Durgā in her form as 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.