Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.78.18
स्नात्वा प्रभासे सन्तर्प्य देवर्षिपितृमानवान् ।
सरस्वतीं प्रतिस्रोतं ययौ ब्राह्मणसंवृत: ॥ १८ ॥
snātvā prabhāse santarpya
[snaatvaa prabhaase santarpya]
devarṣi-pitṛ-mānavān
[devarshi-pitri-maanavaan]
sarasvatīṁ prati-srotaṁ
[sarasvateem prati-srotam]
yayau brāhmaṇa-saṁvṛtaḥ
[yayau braahmana-samvritah]
Word-for-word
snātvā
—
having bathed
prabhāse
—
at Prabhāsa
santarpya
—
and having honored
deva
—
the demigods
ṛṣi
—
sages
pitṛ
—
forefathers
mānavān
—
and human beings
sarasvatīm
—
to the river Sarasvatī
prati - srotam
—
which flows toward the sea
yayau
—
He went
brāhmaṇa - saṁvṛtaḥ
—
surrounded by brāhmaṇas. .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
snātvā prabhāse santarpya
snātvā
having bathed
prabhāse
at Prabhāsa
santarpya
and having honored
devarṣi-pitṛ-mānavān
deva
the demigods
ṛṣi
sages
pitṛ
forefathers
mānavān
and human beings
sarasvatīṁ prati-srotaṁ
sarasvatīm
to the river Sarasvatī
prati - srotam
which flows toward the sea
yayau brāhmaṇa-saṁvṛtaḥ
yayau
He went
brāhmaṇa - saṁvṛtaḥ
surrounded by brāhmaṇas. .
Important Words
-
prabhāse
—
at Prabhāsa
Prabhā (radiance) + āsa (seat). One of the foremost tīrthas in Gujarat, near Dvārakā. Site of the future Yadu-mauṣala-līlā. Balarāma's bath here echoes forward in the canon.
-
santarpya
—
having satisfied (with offerings)
Gerund of sam-√tṛp. Causative — 'caused to be fully satisfied.' The act of tarpaṇa, ritual offering of water, especially to pitṛs. Even the Lord performs śrāddha — pedagogy for the lokas.
-
deva-ṛṣi-pitṛ-mānavān
—
devas, sages, ancestors, humans
Dvandva listing the four categories of honored beings. Pitṛ-yajña, deva-yajña, ṛṣi-yajña, and nara-yajña — the four of the pañca-mahā-yajña system, minus bhūta. Balarāma teaches the householder template.
-
sarasvatīm prati-srotam
—
the westward-flowing Sarasvatī
Prati-srota = against the current, here meaning the unusual western course. The Sarasvatī is the river of speech and learning; its westward stretch is rare and sacred.
-
brāhmaṇa-saṁvṛtaḥ
—
surrounded by brāhmaṇas
Brāhmaṇa + sam-vṛta (surrounded). Balarāma's entourage is not warriors but brāhmaṇas. The Lord stages exactly the company that will later be necessary at Naimiṣa, where He kills a sūta among brāhmaṇas.
After bathing at Prabhāsa and honoring the demigods, sages, forefathers and prominent human beings, He went in the company of brāhmaṇas to the portion of the Sarasvatī that flows westward into the sea.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
After bathing at Prabhāsa and honoring the demigods, sages, forefathers and prominent human beings, He went in the company of brāhmaṇas to the portion of the Sarasvatī that flows westward into the sea.
Commentary
He went to the sarasvati flowing in the opposite direction.
Jīva Gosvāmī
Gauḍīya
Commentary
According to the rules, with devotion (sam) he offered tarpaṇas to devatās, sages, Pitṛs and mankind. The order is from best to the inferiors (devatās to humans). He was surrounded by priests and other brāhmaṇas completely (sam—vṛtaḥ).
Related values & verses
Related values
Sthitaprajna (Steady Wisdom)Vairagya (Detachment / Dispassion)Discriminative WisdomAbhaya (Fearlessness)Seva (Service / Selfless Action)Samata (Equanimity / Even-mindedness)Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to God)
Related verses
Concepts
Kshetra
Personal Guidance
Balarāma bathed at Prabhāsa, honored demigods, sages, forefathers, and humans, then went with brāhmaṇas to the westward Sarasvatī. Pilgrimage is structured: bathing, honoring, moving with companions.
Reflection Questions
- What structure could my own retreats or pilgrimages benefit from?
- Whose company would deepen my own pilgrim path?
Analogy
Prabhāsa is the very tīrtha where the Yadu line will one day conclude (SB 11.30). Balarāma bathes there now, honors devas, ṛṣis, pitṛs, mānavas — every category of being — and walks along the Sarasvatī flowing west. The pilgrimage is also a quiet rehearsal of farewell.
My note
Source: vedabase.io