Shloka 12
गदायुद्ध-समारम्भः
Commencement of the Mace-Duel Proceedings
सम्प्राप्त: कारपवन प्रवरं तीर्थमुत्तमम् । हलायुधस्तत्र चापि दत्त्वा दानं महाबल:
samprāptaḥ kārapavana-pravaraṃ tīrtham uttamam | halāyudhas tatra cāpi dattvā dānaṃ mahābalaḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Balarāma, el poderoso portador del arma-arado, llegó al excelente y principal vado sagrado llamado Kārapavana. Allí realizó actos de generosidad, honrando la santidad del lugar mediante el dar. El pasaje subraya una pausa dhármica en medio de la violencia de la guerra: la fuerza del guerrero se templa con peregrinación, pureza y reverencia, expresadas en la caridad y en el deber ritual hacia dioses, sabios y antepasados.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a world dominated by conflict, dharma is sustained through tīrtha-yātrā, purity, and dāna. Strength (bala) is not merely martial; it is also the capacity to honor sacred duties and support the worthy through generous giving.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Balarāma reaches the sacred place called Kārapavana and performs charitable acts there. The verse marks a pilgrimage episode, presenting Balarāma’s movement through holy sites and his observance of meritorious conduct.