Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
ततो विभज्यमानेषु बलेषु बलिनां वर: । प्रोवाच भ्रातरं कृष्णं राहिणेयो महामना:
tato vibhajyamāneṣu baleṣu balināṃ varaḥ | provāca bhrātaraṃ kṛṣṇaṃ rāhiṇeyo mahāmanāḥ ||
Kemudian, ketika bala tentera sedang dibahagi dan ditugaskan, yang terunggul antara para perkasa—Rāhiṇeya, insan berjiwa agung—berkata kepada saudaranya, Kṛṣṇa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even in war, power must be exercised with discernment and accountability: the division of forces highlights that leadership is not only strength (bala) but also responsible decision-making toward one’s allies and kin.
As the troops are being apportioned, Balarāma (Rāhiṇeya), described as the foremost of the strong and noble-minded, turns to speak to his brother Kṛṣṇa—signaling an important instruction or counsel connected with the ongoing organization of the battle.