Shloka 33
बदरपाचन-तीर्थमाहात्म्यम् | Badarapācana Tīrtha Māhātmya
Indratīrtha and the Austerities of Srucāvatī & Arundhatī
निषेवितं सर्वसत्त्वैनाम्ना बदरपाचनम् | नानर्तुकवनोपेतं सदापुष्पफलं शुभम्,राजन! उस तीर्थमें स्नान और प्रचुर दान करके श्वेत चन्दनधारी बलरामजी शीघ्रतापूर्वक बदरपाचन नामक शुभ तीर्थमें गये, जो सब प्रकारके जीव-जन्तुओंसे सेवित, नाना ऋतुओंकी शोभासे सम्पन्न वनस्थलियोंसे युक्त तथा निरन्तर फूलों और फलोंसे भरा रहनेवाला था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | niṣevitaṁ sarvasattvaiḥ nāmnā badarapācanam | nānartukavanopetaṁ sadāpuṣpaphalaṁ śubham, rājan |
Vaiśampāyana said: O King, Balarāma went to the auspicious sacred ford named Badarapācana—frequented by all kinds of living beings, adorned with forest-groves displaying the beauty of many seasons, and ever filled with flowers and fruits. Having bathed at that holy place and given abundant gifts, Balarāma, bearing white sandalwood paste, proceeded there swiftly.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tīrtha-sevā (reverent resort to sacred places) as ethically complete when paired with snāna (purificatory discipline) and dāna (generosity). Holiness is not merely scenic or ritual; it is affirmed through charitable action and self-restraint, offering a dharmic counterbalance within the war-time setting.
Vaiśampāyana describes Balarāma’s swift journey to the sacred ford called Badarapācana. The place is portrayed as perpetually fruitful and beautiful across seasons, frequented by many creatures. Balarāma bathes there and gives abundant gifts, marked by white sandalwood paste, continuing his tīrtha-yātrā.