Shloka 21
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
随后，至尊主行经喀拉拉与特里伽尔塔诸国，巡礼名为戈迦尔那的湿婆圣域；彼处杜尔迦提（湿婆）亲自显现其临在。又瞻仰居于岛上的圣母阿尔雅·德维帕亚尼（帕尔瓦蒂）之后，巴拉罗摩前往舒尔帕拉迦圣地，在塔比河、帕约什尼河与尼尔温德雅河中沐浴。继而他进入檀陀迦森林，抵达雷瓦河（纳尔玛达河），其岸旁有摩希什玛蒂城。又在摩奴圣地（Manu-tīrtha）沐浴，最后返回普拉巴萨。
FAQs
In this verse, Gokarṇa is described as a śiva-kṣetra where Lord Śiva (Dhūrjaṭi) is especially present, and Balarāma visits it during His pilgrimage.
Balarāma’s tīrtha-yātrā shows reverence for sacred sites and the Lord’s devotees; visiting śiva-kṣetras also highlights harmony among Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva holy traditions within Bhagavata narration.
Approach pilgrimage as inner purification—seeking holy association, humility, and remembrance of the Lord—rather than mere travel or tourism.