Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 56
भीष्मस्योत्तरायणप्रतीक्षा तथा युधिष्ठिरागमनम् | Bhīṣma’s uttarāyaṇa moment and Yudhiṣṭhira’s arrival
शिरो नागैर्महाभोगै: परिकीर्ण महात्मभि: । भविष्यति महाबाहो: सर्वलोके श्चरस्य च,सर्वलोकेश्वर महाबाहु बलरामजीका मस्तक बड़े-बड़े फनवाले विशालकाय सर्पोंसे घिरा हुआ होगा
śiro nāgair mahābhogaiḥ parikīrṇaṁ mahātmabhiḥ | bhaviṣyati mahābāhoḥ sarvalokeśvarasya ca ||
Wika ni Īśvara: “Ang ulo ng makapangyarihang may-malalakas na bisig—si Balarāma, Panginoon ng lahat ng daigdig—ay mapapaligiran at matatakpan ng mga dambuhalang ahas na may malalapad na talukbong, mararangal ang likas.”
ईश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the exalted, cosmic status of Balarāma as “Lord of all worlds,” conveyed through protective and reverential imagery: mighty nāgas encircle his head, suggesting divine sovereignty upheld by powerful beings aligned with cosmic order.
Īśvara describes a future (or destined) scene in which Balarāma’s head is encircled by immense, hooded serpents (nāgas), portraying him as a supreme figure attended and honored by formidable beings.