Balarāma Slays Balvala and Visits Sacred Tīrthas; He Attempts to Stop Bhīma–Duryodhana
स्वपत्यावभृथस्नातो ज्ञातिबन्धुसुहृद् वृत: । रेजे स्वज्योत्स्नयेवेन्दु: सुवासा: सुष्ठ्वलङ्कृत: ॥ ३२ ॥
sva-patyāvabhṛtha-snāto jñāti-bandhu-suhṛd-vṛtaḥ reje sva-jyotsnayevenduḥ su-vāsāḥ suṣṭhv alaṅkṛtaḥ
妃とともにアヴァブリタ(avabhṛtha)の沐浴を終えると、麗しい衣と装身具に飾られ、親族や友に囲まれた主バララーマは、自らの光に包まれた月のように輝いた。
Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully describes this scene as follows: “Lord Balarāma then took the avabhṛtha bath, which is taken after finishing sacrificial performances. After taking His bath, He dressed Himself in new silken garments and decorated Himself with beautiful jewelry. Amidst His relatives and friends, He appeared to be a shining full moon amidst the luminaries in the sky.”
Avabhṛtha snāna is the concluding ceremonial bath performed after completing a Vedic sacrifice, marking its successful completion and purification.
Śukadeva describes the central royal figure of the narrative at this point as resplendent after the sacrifice—surrounded by relatives and friends—comparing his beauty to the moon with its own moonlight.
It highlights purity after sacred duty, dignified simplicity, and the strength of being supported by saintly well-wishers—keep good company and complete spiritual practices with sincerity.