Shloka 12
शरीरिणी तथोपेत्य त्रासविह्वललोचना प्रसीदेत्य् अब्रवीद् रामं मुञ्च मां मुसलायुध
śarīriṇī tathopetya trāsavihvalalocanā prasīdety abravīd rāmaṃ muñca māṃ musalāyudha
Then, taking on a bodily form, she approached with eyes trembling in fear and pleaded to Rāma (Balarāma): “Be gracious! Release me, O wielder of the plough-weapon!”
An unnamed female figure (a supplicant) addressing Balarama (Rama/Musalayudha), within Parasara’s narration to Maitreya
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Balarāma compels the Yamunā to submit and then grants her release, demonstrating the Lord’s power tempered by grace.
Leela: Dharma-upadesa
Dharma Restored: Re-establishment of humility and proper reverence toward Bhagavān’s representatives.
Concept: Even mighty powers become auspicious when they surrender in humility to Bhagavān and seek prasāda (grace).
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Cultivate accountability and surrender: when pride disrupts harmony, acknowledge fault and seek reconciliation through sincere prayer and corrective action.
Vishishtadvaita: Grace (prasāda) operates within real relational hierarchy: the jīva/devatā remains distinct yet fulfilled by surrender to the Supreme and His manifestations.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Dasya
Vyuha Form: Sankarshana
FAQs
It marks Rāma as Balarāma, identified by his distinctive weapon (musala/halāyudha), emphasizing his protective power and authority in the narrative.
Through brief, vivid petitions like this, Parāśara highlights that refuge and release come through approaching the divinely empowered figure with humility and a plea for grace.
Even when the verse addresses Balarāma directly, the episode functions within the Vaishnava frame where divine sovereignty and mercy—ultimately grounded in Vishnu’s supreme order—resolve fear and bondage.