Shloka 11
Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
इसके बाद जब सेनाका बँटवारा होने लगा, तब बलवानोंमें श्रेष्ठ महामना बलदेवजीने अपने भाई श्रीकृष्णसे कहा--
tataḥ senāyā vibhāge pravṛtte balavatsu śreṣṭho mahātmā baladevo nijabhrātaraṃ śrīkṛṣṇaṃ pratyuvāca—
Then, when the division of the armies began, the high-minded Balarāma—foremost among the mighty—addressed his brother Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The moment signals a morally charged turning point: as forces are apportioned for war, kinship and duty intersect, and counsel between brothers frames the ethical weight of choosing sides.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even before weapons are raised, ethical responsibility begins with choices—how one aligns, advises, and acts when duty, loyalty, and the coming violence converge. The verse foregrounds deliberation and counsel as part of dharma in wartime.
As the armies are being divided and assigned, Balarāma—renowned for strength and integrity—turns to his brother Kṛṣṇa and begins to speak, setting up guidance or a stance regarding the impending conflict.