Shloka 14
गदायुद्ध-समारम्भः
Commencement of the Mace-Duel Proceedings
तत्रोष्यैकां तु रजनीं यतिभिर्रद्मणै: सह । मित्रावरुणयो: पुण्यं जगामाश्रममच्युत:,फिर वे कारपवन नामक उत्तम तीर्थमें गये। महाबली हलधरने वहाँके निर्मल, पवित्र और अत्यन्त शीतल पुण्यदायक जलमें गोता लगाकर ब्राह्मणोंको दान दे देवताओं और पितरोंका तर्पण किया। तत्पश्चात् रणदुर्मद बलरामजी यतियों और ब्राह्मणोंके साथ वहाँ एक रात रहकर मित्रावरुणके पवित्र आश्रमपर गये
tatroṣyaikāṃ tu rajanīṃ yatibhir brāhmaṇaiḥ saha | mitrāvaruṇayoḥ puṇyaṃ jagāmāśramam acyutaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: After staying there for a single night together with ascetics and brāhmaṇas, Acyuta (Balarāma) proceeded to the sacred hermitage of Mitra and Varuṇa. The passage highlights a warrior’s restraint and reverence: even amid the wider violence of the age, he pauses for pilgrimage, disciplined company, and sanctified places—affirming that purity of conduct and honoring holy institutions remain duties that steady the mind and uphold dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a time dominated by conflict, dharma is sustained through disciplined conduct: keeping holy company (yatis and brāhmaṇas), honoring sacred places, and directing one’s actions toward purification and merit rather than impulsive force.
After spending one night at the previous sacred spot with ascetics and brāhmaṇas, Balarāma (called Acyuta here) continues his pilgrimage and goes to the holy hermitage associated with the deities Mitra and Varuṇa.