Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 20
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
Pagkaraan, naglakbay ang Bhagavān sa mga kaharian ng Kerala at Trigarta, at dinalaw ang Gokarṇa, banal na kṣetra ni Śiva, kung saan tuwirang nahahayag si Dhūrjaṭi (Śiva). Matapos ding masilayan ang Diyosa Āryā Dvaipāyanī (Pārvatī) na nananahan sa isang pulo, nagtungo si Balarāma sa banal na pook ng Śūrpāraka at naligo sa mga ilog na Tāpī, Payoṣṇī, at Nirvindhyā. Pagkatapos ay pumasok Siya sa gubat ng Daṇḍaka at narating ang ilog Revā (Narmadā), na kinaroroonan ng lungsod na Māhiṣmatī. Nang makaligo sa Manu-tīrtha, sa huli’y nagbalik Siya sa Prabhāsa.
FAQs
This verse identifies Gokarṇa as a prominent Śiva-kṣetra where Lord Śiva (Dhūrjaṭi) is especially present, making it a revered destination during Balarāma’s pilgrimage.
In the Bhagavatam narrative, Balarāma’s tīrtha-yātrā includes honoring devas and sacred sites, demonstrating Vedic reverence and the purifying power of pilgrimage for the world.
Even if one cannot travel, one can adopt the essence of tīrtha-yātrā by regularly visiting temples, hearing Bhāgavatam, and cultivating humility and purity of conduct.