Shloka 14
बलरामस्य वारुणी-प्रसङ्गः, यमुनाकर्षणम्, लक्ष्मी-प्रदत्त-विभूषणम्, रेवती-विवाहः
इत्य् उक्तयातिसंत्रासात् तया नद्या प्रसादितः भूभागे प्लाविते तस्मिन् मुमोच यमुनां बलः
ity uktayātisaṃtrāsāt tayā nadyā prasāditaḥ bhūbhāge plāvite tasmin mumoca yamunāṃ balaḥ
Thus addressed, the river, overwhelmed by great fear, became appeased. And when that tract of land had been flooded, Bala released the Yamunā, letting her flow again in her proper course.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Balarāma accepts the Yamunā’s appeasement and restores her proper flow after demonstrating divine control, balancing chastisement with mercy.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Reinstatement of right order (proper course) and harmony between devatā-forces and divine will.
Concept: True lordship restores balance: after correction, one should re-establish normalcy and not perpetuate harm.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: In conflict resolution, aim for repair—set boundaries, secure accountability, then allow life to return to its healthy ‘course.’
Vishishtadvaita: Divine sovereignty is compassionate governance: the Lord’s power disciplines yet ultimately sustains and harmonizes the world-order.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Vyuha Form: Sankarshana
FAQs
It signals the restoration of order after the river is compelled to comply—Balarama’s act demonstrates divine authority that both restrains and then harmonizes nature.
Through narrative causality: the river fears the divine command, becomes pacified, floods the designated land, and is then released—showing power exercised for purposeful reordering rather than mere display.
Within Vaishnava theology, Balarama functions within the avatara framework tied to Vishnu’s supreme governance; the episode reflects Bhagavan’s sovereignty manifest through his divine associates/incarnational forms.