Shloka 21
Balarāma Slays Balvala and Visits Sacred Tīrthas; He Attempts to Stop Bhīma–Duryodhana
ततोऽभिव्रज्य भगवान् केरलांस्तु त्रिगर्तकान् । गोकर्णाख्यं शिवक्षेत्रं सान्निध्यं यत्र धूर्जटे: ॥ १९ ॥ आर्यां द्वैपायनीं दृष्ट्वा शूर्पारकमगाद् बल: । तापीं पयोष्णीं निर्विन्ध्यामुपस्पृश्याथ दण्डकम् ॥ २० ॥ प्रविश्य रेवामगमद् यत्र माहिष्मती पुरी । मनुतीर्थमुपस्पृश्य प्रभासं पुनरागमत् ॥ २१ ॥
tato ’bhivrajya bhagavān keralāṁs tu trigartakān gokarṇākhyaṁ śiva-kṣetraṁ sānnidhyaṁ yatra dhūrjaṭeḥ
それからバガヴァーンはケーララとトリガルタの諸国を巡り、ドゥールジャティ（シヴァ）が直に臨在するシヴァの聖地ゴーカルナを訪れた。さらに島に住まう女神アーリヤー・ドヴァイパーヤニー（パールヴァティー）を拝し、バララーマはシュールパーラカの聖域へ赴いて、ターピー川・パヨーシュニー川・ニルヴィンディヤー川で沐浴した。ついでダンダカの森に入り、マーヒシュマティーの都があるレーヴァー（ナルマダー）川へ至った。マヌ・ティールタで沐浴し、最後にプラバ―サへ帰還した。
FAQs
In this verse, Gokarṇa is described as a śiva-kṣetra where Lord Śiva (Dhūrjaṭi) is especially present, and Balarāma visits it during His pilgrimage.
Balarāma’s tīrtha-yātrā shows reverence for sacred sites and the Lord’s devotees; visiting śiva-kṣetras also highlights harmony among Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva holy traditions within Bhagavata narration.
Approach pilgrimage as inner purification—seeking holy association, humility, and remembrance of the Lord—rather than mere travel or tourism.