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
Di Setubandha (Rāmeśvaram), Bhagavān Halāyudha Balarāma menganugerahkan sedekah sepuluh ribu ekor sapi kepada para brāhmaṇa. Lalu Ia mengunjungi sungai Kṛtamālā dan Tāmraparṇī serta pegunungan agung Malaya. Di Malaya Ia melihat Ṛṣi Agastya duduk dalam samādhi; setelah bersujud dan memanjatkan pujian, Ia menerima berkat dan pamit. Kemudian Ia menuju pantai samudra selatan dan menyaksikan Dewi Durgā dalam wujud 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.