rule



 

 

Canto 10

S'rī Rādhika Stava



 

Chapter 79: Lord Balarāma Slays Balvala and Visits the Holy Places

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'Then, on de day of the new moon, a fierce and frightening wind arose scattering dust, oh King, with the smell of pus everywhere. (2) Thereupon a rain of abominable things produced by Balvala poured down upon the sacrificial arena, after which he himself appeared carrying a trident. (3-4) The sight of that immense body looking like a heap of charcoal with a topknot and a beard of burning copper, his fearsome teeth and his face with contracted eyebrows, reminded Rāma of His club, which crushes opposing armies, and His plow, which subdues the Daityas. Both the weapons presented themselves immediately at His side. (5) With the tip of His plow Balarāma got hold of Balvala, who moved about in the sky, and with His club then angrily struck the harasser of the brahmins on the head. (6) He produced a cry of agony and fell, with his forehead cracked open, gushing blood to the ground like a red mountain struck by a thunderbolt. (7) The sages praised Rāma, awarded Him practical benedictions and ceremonially sprinkled Him with water, just like the great souls did with [Indra] the killer of Vritrāsura [see 6.13]. (8) They gave Rāma a Vaijayantī flower garland of unfading lotuses in which S'rī resided, and a divine set of clothes together with celestial jewelry.

(9) Next receiving permission to leave them He together with [a group of] brahmins went to the Kaus'ikī river where He took a bath. From there He headed for the lake from which the Sarayū flows. (10) Following the course of the Sarayū He arrived in Prayāga where He bathed to propitiate the demigods and other living beings. Thereafter He went to the hermitage of Pulaha Rishi [see also 5.7: 8-9]. (11-15) After having immersed Himself in the Gomatī, the Gandakī, the S'ona and Vipās'ā river, He went to Gayā to worship His forefathers, and to the mouth of the Ganges to perform ritual ablutions. At Mount Mahendra He saw Lord Paras'urāma. After honoring Him He then bathed where the seven branches of the Godāvarī river converge with the rivers the Venā, the Pampā and the Bhīmarathī. Having seen Lord Skanda [Kārttikeya] Balarāma next visited S'rī-s'aila, the residence of Lord Giris'a [S'iva], and saw the Master in Dravida-des'a [the southern provinces], the most sacred hill, the Venkatha [of Bālajī]. After [having visited] the cities of Kāmakoshnī and Kāńcī He went to the river the Kāverī as also to the greatest of them all, the most holy S'rī-ranga, where the Lord manifested [as Ranganātha]. He went to the place of the Lord, the mountain Rishabha, then to southern Mathurā [Madurai where the goddess Mīnākshī resides] and next to Setubandha [Cape Comorin], where one is even released from the gravest sins. (16-17) There the Wielder of the Plow, Halāyudha, gave a great number of cows away to the brahmins. He went to the rivers the Kritamālā and the Tāmraparnī, and to the Malaya mountain range, where He bowed down to pay respect to Agastya Muni who, sitting there in meditation, gave Him his blessings. Leaving with his permission, He went to the southern ocean where he saw the goddess Durgā [known as Kanyā]. (18) Then reaching Phālguna and taking a bath in the sacred lake of the five Apsaras where Lord Vishnu manifested, He again gave away a myriad of cows. (19-21) The Supreme Lord thereupon traveled through Kerala and Trigarta, and arrived at Gokarna [northern Karnataka], a place sacred because of the manifestation of Dhūrjathi ['he with a load of matted locks'], S'iva. Seeing the honored goddess [Pārvatī], residing on an island off the coast, Balarāma went to S'ūrpāraka, where He touched the waters of the Tāpī, the Payoshnī and the Nirvindhyā. Next He entered the Dandaka forest and went to the Revā, where the city of Māhishmatī is found. There He touched the water of Manu-tīrtha and then returned to Prabhāsa.

(22) From the brahmins [there] He heard about the annihilation of all the kings in a battle [at Kurukshetra] between the Kurus and the Pāndavas. He concluded that the earth was been relieved of her burden [see also e.g. 10.50: 9]. (23) He, the beloved Son of the Yadus, then went to the fight, where He tried to stop Bhīma and Duryodhana who with their maces were fighting each other on the battlefield [see also 10.57: 26]. (24) But when Yudhishthhira, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, Krishna and Arjuna, saw Him, they were silent while offering their obeisances with the burning question: 'What does He want to tell us, coming here?' (25) He saw the two with clubs in their hands skillfully moving in circles, furiously striving for the victory. He said: (26) 'Oh King, oh Great Eater, the two of you warriors are equal in prowess. One, I think, is of a greater physical power, while the other is technically better trained. (27) I do not see how from any of you, who are equally skilled, a victory or defeat can be expected. So stop this useless fight.'

(28) In spite of being sensible people, the two, who fixed in their enmity kept each other's harsh words and misdeeds in mind, did not take heed of His words, oh King. (29) Balarāma decided that it was their fate and went to Dvārakā, were He was greeted by a delighted family headed by Ugrasena. (30) When He [later on] turned back to Naimishāranya, the sages engaged Him, the Embodiment of All Sacrifice who had renounced all warfare, with pleasure in all the different kinds of rituals [*]. (31) The Almighty Supreme Lord bestowed upon them the perfectly pure spiritual knowledge by which they could perceive this universe as residing within Him, and also see Him as pervading the entire creation. (32) After together with His wife [Revatī, see 9.3: 29-33] having executed the concluding ritual avabhritha bath, He, well dressed, nicely adorned and surrounded by His family members and other relatives and friends, appeared as splendid as the moon in its full glory [full and surrounded by the stars].

(33) There are countless other [pastimes] like this of the mighty, unlimited and unfathomable Balarāma, who through His illusory power appears as a human being. (34) Whoever regularly, at dawn and dusk, remembers the activities of the unlimited Balarāma, which are all amazing, will become dear to Lord Vishnu.'

 

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  Third revised edition, loaded October 30, 2021.

 

  

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'Then, on de day of the new moon, a fierce and frightening wind arose scattering dust, oh King, with the smell of pus everywhere.
S'rī S'uka said: 'Then, on de day of the new moon, arose a fierce wind scattering dust, o King, with the smell of pus everywhere. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

Thereupon a rain of abominable things produced by Balvala poured down upon the sacrificial arena, after which he himself appeared carrying a trident.

Following came down upon the sacrificial arena a rain of abominable things produced by Balvala, after which he himself appeared carrying a trident. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3-4

The sight of that immense body looking like a heap of charcoal with a topknot and a beard of burning copper, his fearsome teeth and his face with contracted eyebrows, reminded Rāma of His club, which crushes opposing armies, and His plow, which subdues the Daityas. Both the weapons presented themselves immediately at His side.

The sight of that immense body looking like a heap of charcoal with a topknot and beard of burning copper, fearsome teeth and a face with contracted eyebrows, made Rāma think of His club, which tears apart opposing armies, and His plow, which subdues the Daityas; they both stood forthwith at His side. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

With the tip of His plow Balarāma got hold of Balvala, who moved about in the sky, and with His club then angrily struck the harasser of the brahmins on the head.

With the tip of His plow got He hold of Balvala who moved about in the sky, and with His club struck Balarāma angrily the harasser of the brahmins on the head. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

He produced a cry of agony and fell, with his forehead cracked open, gushing blood to the ground like a red mountain struck by a thunderbolt.

He, releasing a cry of agony, fell with his forehead cracked open gushing blood to the ground like a red mountain struck by a thunderbolt. (Vedabase)

     

Text 7

The sages praised Rāma, awarded Him practical benedictions and ceremonially sprinkled Him with water, just like the great souls did with [Indra] the killer of Vritrāsura [see 6.13].

The sages together being of praise awarded Rāma with practical benedictions and ceremonially sprinkled Him with water, just like the great souls did with [Indra] the killer of Vritrāsura [Indra, see 6.13]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 8

They gave Rāma a Vaijayantī flower garland of unfading lotuses in which S'rī resided, and a divine set of clothes together with celestial jewelry.

They gave Rāma a Vaijayantī flower garland of unfading lotuses in which S'rī resided and a divine pair of garments together with heavenly jewelry. (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

Next receiving permission to leave them He together with [a group of] brahmins went to the Kaus'ikī river where He took a bath. From there He headed for the lake from which the Sarayū flows.

Then given leave by them went He together with the brahmins to the Kaus'ikī river where they took a bath. Next He headed for the lake from which the Sarayū flows. (Vedabase)

  

Text 10

Following the course of the Sarayū He arrived in Prayāga where He bathed to propitiate the demigods and other living beings. Thereafter He went to the hermitage of Pulaha Rishi [see also 5.7: 8-9].

Following the course of the Sarayū arrived He in Prayāga where He bathed to propitiate the demigods and others. Thereafter He went to the hermitage of Pulaha Rishi [see also 5.7: 8-9]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11-15

After having immersed Himself in the Gomatī, the Gandakī, the S'ona and Vipās'ā river, He went to Gayā to worship His forefathers, and to the mouth of the Ganges to perform ritual ablutions. At Mount Mahendra He saw Lord Paras'urāma. After honoring Him He then bathed where the seven branches of the Godāvarī river converge with the rivers the Venā, the Pampā and the Bhīmarathī. Having seen Lord Skanda [Kārttikeya] Balarāma next visited S'rī-s'aila, the residence of Lord Giris'a [S'iva], and saw the Master in Dravida-des'a [the southern provinces], the most sacred hill, the Venkatha [of Bālajī]. After [having visited] the cities of Kāmakoshnī and Kāńcī He went to the river the Kāverī as also to the greatest of them all, the most holy S'rī-ranga, where the Lord manifested [as Ranganātha]. He went to the place of the Lord, the mountain Rishabha, then to southern Mathurā [Madurai where the goddess Mīnākshī resides] and next to Setubandha [Cape Comorin], where one is even released from the gravest sins.

Having immersed Himself in the Gomatī, the Gandakī, the S'ona and Vipās'ā river, He went to Gayā, to worship His forefathers and to the mouth of the Ganges for ritual ablutions. At Mount Mahendra seeing and honoring Lord Paras'urāma He next bathed in the Saptagodāvarī ['seven Godāvarīs'] as well as in the rivers the Venā, the Pampā and the Bhīmarathī. After seeing Lord Skanda [Kārttikeya] visited Rāma S'rī-s'aila, the residence of the Lord Giris'a [S'iva], and saw the Master in Dravida-des'a [the southern provinces] the hill most sacred, the Venkatha [of Bālajī]. After [seeing] the cities of Kāmakoshnī and Kāńcī went He to the river the Kāverī and to the greatest of them all, the most holy S'rī-ranga, where the Lord manifested [as Ranganātha]. Going to the place of the Lord the mountain Rishabha, He went to southern Mathurā [Madurai where the goddess Mīnākshī resides] and to Setubandha [Cape Comorin], where the gravest sins are destroyed. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16-17

There the Wielder of the Plow, Halāyudha, gave a great number of cows away to the brahmins. He went to the rivers the Kritamālā and the Tāmraparnī, and to the Malaya mountain range, where He bowed down to pay respect to Agastya Muni who, sitting there in meditation, gave Him his blessings. Leaving with his permission, He went to the southern ocean where he saw the goddess Durgā known as Kanyā.

There gave the Wielder of the Plow, Halāyudha, a great number of cows away to the brahmins. Going to the rivers the Kritamālā and Tāmraparnī and the Malaya mountain range, He bowed down paying respect to Āgastya Muni who sitting there in meditation gave Him his blessings. Leaving with his permission He went to the southern ocean to Kanyākumārī ['chaste girl'] where he saw the goddess Durgā [known as Kanyā]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

Then reaching Phālguna and taking a bath in the sacred lake of the five Apsaras where Lord Vishnu manifested, He again gave away a myriad of cows.

Then reaching Phālguna and taking a bath in the sacred lake of the five Apsaras where Lord Vishnu manifested, gave He again away a myriad of cows. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19-21

The Supreme Lord thereupon traveled through Kerala and Trigarta, and arrived at Gokarna [northern Karnataka], a place sacred because of the manifestation of Dhūrjathi ['he with a load of matted locks'], S'iva. Seeing the honored goddess [Pārvatī], residing on an island off the coast, Balarāma went to S'ūrpāraka, where He touched the waters of the Tāpī, the Payoshnī and the Nirvindhyā. Next He entered the Dandaka forest and went to the Revā, where the city of Māhishmatī is found. There He touched the water of Manu-tīrtha and then returned to Prabhāsa.

Next traveled the Supreme Lord through Kerala and Trigarta and came then to Gokarna [northern Karnataka], a place sacred because of the manifestation of Dhūrjathi ['he with a load of matted locks'], S'iva. Seeing the honored goddess [Pārvatī] residing on an island off the coast went Balarāma to S'ūrpāraka where He touched the waters of the Tāpī, the Payoshnī and the Nirvindhyā. Next entering the Dandaka forest went He to the Revā where the city of Māhishmatī is found, touched He the water of Manu-tīrtha and returned He to Prabhāsa. (Vedabase)

    

 Text 22

From the brahmins [there] He heard about the annihilation of all the kings in a battle [at Kurukshetra] between the Kurus and the Pāndavas. He concluded that the earth was been relieved of her burden [see also e.g. 10.50: 9].

From the brahmins He heard about the battle [at Kurukshetra] between the Kurus and the Pāndavas where all the kings were annihilating each other. He concluded that the earth was being relieved of her burden [see also e.g. 10.50: 9]. (Vedabase)

   

Text 23

He, the beloved Son of the Yadus, then went to the fight, where He tried to stop Bhīma and Duryodhana who with their maces were fighting each other on the battlefield [see also 10.57: 26].

He, the beloved Son of the Yadus, then went to the battle where He tried to stop Bhīma and Duryodhana who with their maces were fighting each other on the field [see also 10.57: 26]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

But when Yudhishthhira, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, Krishna and Arjuna, saw Him, they were silent while offering their obeisances with the burning question: 'What does He want to tell us, coming here?'

But when Yudhishthhira, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, Krishna and Arjuna saw Him, were they silent in offering their obeisances with the burning question: 'What does He, coming here, want to tell us?' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 25

He saw the two with clubs in their hands skillfully moving in circles, furiously striving for the victory. He said: 

Seeing the two with clubs in their hands, skillfully moving in circles, furiously striving for the victory, said He this: (Vedabase)

 

 Text 26

'Oh King, oh Great Eater, the two of you warriors are equal in prowess. One, I think, is of a greater physical power, while the other is technically better trained.

'O King, o Great Eater, the two of you warriors are equal in prowess; one I think is of a greater physical power, while the other one is technically of a better training. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 27

I do not see how from any of you, who are equally skilled, a victory or defeat can be expected. So stop this useless fight.'

I do not see how from any of you here, equal in prowess, then a victory or the contrary could be seen; so stop this useless fighting.' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 28

In spite of being sensible people, the two, who fixed in their enmity kept each other's harsh words and misdeeds in mind, did not take heed of His words, oh King.

The two, even though they were sensible people, did, fixed in their enmity keeping in mind each others harsh words and misdeeds, not take heed of His words, o King. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 29

Balarāma decided that it was their fate and went to Dvārakā, were He was greeted by a delighted family headed by Ugrasena.

Deciding that it was their fate went Rāma to Dvārakā were He was greeted by a delighted family headed by Ugrasena. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 30

When He [later on] turned back to Naimishāranya, the sages engaged Him, the Embodiment of All Sacrifice who had renounced all warfare, with pleasure in all the different kinds of rituals [*].

With Him returning again to Naimishāranya engaged the sages Him, the Embodiment of All Sacrifice who had renounced all warfare, with pleasure in all the different sorts of rituals [*]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

The Almighty Supreme Lord bestowed upon them the perfectly pure spiritual knowledge by which they could perceive this universe as residing within Him, and also see Him as pervading the entire creation.

The Almighty Supreme Lord bestowed upon them the perfectly pure spiritual knowledge by which they indeed could perceive this universe as residing within Him and also see Him as pervading the creation. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 32

After together with His wife [Revatī, see 9.3: 29-33] having executed the concluding ritual avabhritha bath, He, well dressed, nicely adorned and surrounded by His family members and other relatives and friends, appeared as splendid as the moon in its full glory [full and surrounded by the stars].

Together with His wife [Revatī: see 9.3: 29-33] having executed the concluding ritual avabhritha bath appeared He, well dressed, nicely adorned and surrounded by His family members and other relatives and friends, as splendid as the moon in its full glory [full and with the stars around]. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 33

There are countless other [pastimes] like this of the mighty, unlimited and unfathomable Balarāma, who through His illusory power appears as a human being.

Of this sort [of pastimes] of the mighty, unlimited and unfathomable Balarāma, who by the power of His illusory energy appears as a human being, there sure are countless others.  (Vedabase)

 

 Text 34

Whoever regularly, at dawn and dusk, remembers the activities of the unlimited Balarāma, which are all amazing, will become dear to Lord Vishnu.'

Whoever regularly remembers at dawn and dusk the activities of Rāma which are all amazing, will become dear to Lord Vishnu.' (Vedabase)

 

*: S'rīla Prabhupāda writes here: 'Actually Lord Balarāma had no business performing the sacrifices recommended for ordinary human beings; He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore He Himself is the enjoyer of all such sacrifices. As such, His exemplary action in performing sacrifices was only to give a lesson to the common man, to show how one should abide by the injunctions of the Vedas.'

 

 

 

 

 Creative Commons License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The painting on this page is titled: 'Crowned god Balarāma'.
Early 18th Century. Panel from a temple hanging; opaque watercolor, gold, and paper applique on cotton.
Tirupati, India. Source:
Smithsonian Museum, Freer Sackler Gallery.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.



 

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