JAPA TIME — Lord Balarāma draws the Yamunā River with His plow

Pramāṇa (Śāstra reference)

ŚB 10.65.18 describes a garden on the bank of the Yamunā, bathed in full-moon light and fragrant with night-blooming lotuses. Lord Balarāma, adorned with flower garlands and an earring, summoned the Yamunā because He desired to enter her water, but the river disregarded His command; the Lord became angry and began dragging her with the tip of His plow (10.65.24–25). Balarāma declared that He would bring the river there in a hundred streams (10.65.26). Frightened Yamunā-devī came and fell at His feet (10.65.27), acknowledged His power and position as Lord of the universe (10.65.28), and then surrendered to Him and begged to be released (10.65.29). Lord Balarāma forgave the Yamunā and entered her water with His companions (10.65.30). After the water pastimes, Goddess Kānti presented Him with blue garments and ornaments (10.65.31–32). Śukadeva Gosvāmī says the Yamunā’s many channels still bear witness to Balarāma’s power (10.65.33). The illustration artistically combines the drawing of the river with Yamunā-devī’s subsequent surrender. The blue garments, appearance of the golden plow, two companions, distant palaces, exact number of channels and color treatment of the water are artistic reconstruction; in the text the blue garments are presented to Balarāma later, after the water pastimes.

Saṅkṣepa (short meaning)

In a fragrant Vṛndāvana garden bathed in full-moon light, Lord Balarāma summons the Yamunā because He desires to enter her waters. When the river does not come, Balarāma draws her toward Himself with the tip of His plow, dividing her flow into many channels. Frightened Yamunā-devī appears before the Lord, bows at His feet, acknowledges His unlimited power and begs forgiveness. Merciful Balarāma releases her, while the Yamunā’s many channels preserve the memory of this lila.

Śāstra-pramāṇa (key events from the text)

A moonlit garden beside the Yamunā

Balarāma enjoys a fragrant garden on the Yamunā’s bank, illuminated by the full moon and scented by night-blooming lotuses (10.65.18).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.18)

The Yamunā does not answer

The Lord calls the river for water pastimes, but she disregards His command; Balarāma then draws her with the tip of His plow (10.65.24–25).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.24-25)

The plow divides the current

Balarāma commands the Yamunā to come and declares that He will bring her there in a hundred streams (10.65.26).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.26)

Yamunā-devī bows down

The frightened river goddess appears before the Lord and falls at the feet of Śrī Balarāma (10.65.27).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.27)

She acknowledges the Lord’s power

Yamunā-devī calls Balarāma Lord of the universe and recognizes that He sustains the earth with a single portion of Himself (10.65.28).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.28)

Surrender and mercy

Understanding Balarāma’s position, Yamunā-devī surrenders and begs forgiveness; the Lord releases her (10.65.29–30).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.29)

Tattva (essential teachings) — with śāstra

Balarāma is the Supreme Personality of Godhead

The lila reveals not ordinary heroic strength but the Lord’s authority, before which even the deity of a great river acknowledges her subordinate position (10.65.24–29).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.24-25

Balarāma’s plow directs one toward the Lord

Halāyudha’s implement does more than change the river’s course: it shows how the independent soul must turn toward the Lord’s will (10.65.24–26).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.26

Divine strength serves a transcendental purpose

Yamunā-devī remembers that Balarāma, in His form as Ananta Śeṣa, sustains the earth; His strength is unlimited and spiritually purposeful (10.65.28).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.28

Surrender opens the way to mercy

As soon as Yamunā-devī understands the Lord’s position and sincerely surrenders, Balarāma shows kindness and releases her (10.65.29–30).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.29

The lila leaves visible testimony

The Yamunā’s many channels are identified as a visible reminder of Lord Balarāma’s unlimited power (10.65.33).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.33

Sevā today (practice for this day)

1. Hear the Lord’s call

Before japa, consider one clear spiritual instruction you have postponed and take one concrete step toward it today.

2. Ask for Balarāma’s mercy

Pray to Lord Balarāma for the spiritual strength to redirect your life and follow Kṛṣṇa’s will.

3. Read the exact source

Read ŚB 10.65.18 and 10.65.24–33, especially verses 27–30 on Yamunā-devī’s surrender and Balarāma’s mercy.

My Lord, please release me. O soul of the universe, I didn’t understand Your position as the Supreme Godhead, but now I have surrendered unto You, and You are always kind to Your devotees.

— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.65.29

How to use this darśanam page

View the image, read the narration and śāstra-pramāṇa, contemplate the tattva, and complete the meditation through service. Follow the sequence: darśana → śravaṇa → manana → seva.