Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12
Garga Muni Names Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; the Butter-Thief Pastimes; Yaśodā Sees the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth
श्रीगर्ग उवाच अयं हि रोहिणीपुत्रो रमयन् सुहृदो गुणै: । आख्यास्यते राम इति बलाधिक्याद्बलं विदु: । यदूनामपृथग्भावात् सङ्कर्षणमुशन्त्यपि ॥ १२ ॥
śrī-garga uvāca ayaṁ hi rohiṇī-putro ramayan suhṛdo guṇaiḥ ākhyāsyate rāma iti balādhikyād balaṁ viduḥ yadūnām apṛthag-bhāvāt saṅkarṣaṇam uśanty api
Sinabi ni Garga Muni: “Ang batang ito, anak ni Rohiṇī, ay magbibigay‑ligaya sa mga kaibigan at kamag‑anak sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang makalangit na mga katangian; kaya Siya’y makikilala bilang ‘Rāma’. At dahil magpapakita Siya ng pambihirang lakas ng katawan, tatawagin din Siyang ‘Bala’. Bukod dito, sapagkat pinag-iisa Niya ang dalawang angkan—ang angkan ni Vasudeva at ang angkan ni Nanda Mahārāja—Siya’y kikilalanin din bilang ‘Saṅkarṣaṇa’.”
Baladeva was actually the son of Devakī, but He was transferred from Devakī’s womb to that of Rohiṇī. This fact was not disclosed. According to a statement in the Hari-vaṁśa:
FAQs
This verse explains that He is called Rāma because He delights His well-wishers with His virtues, Bala because of His exceptional strength, and Saṅkarṣaṇa because He becomes inseparably united with the Yadus.
Garga Muni speaks during the naming ceremony in Nanda’s community, describing the auspicious names and qualities of Rohiṇī’s son, Balarāma.
Cultivate virtues that bring joy to others (Rāma), develop inner strength to uphold dharma (Bala), and stay loyally connected to saintly community and service (Saṅkarṣaṇa).