Wednesday 22 February 2017

Balarama kills Suta

Janmajeya asked Why did Balarama go on a pilgrimage?
The sage -

In the forest Naimisha, Shaunaka and the other sages were reading and reciting the Mahabharata. The sage Suta was reciting the epic and the other sages were listening. Balarama arrived there. All sages except Suta greeted Balarama and offered him a seat. He thought that the sages were always praising and listening to him and he was above all. Thus he did not greet Balarama.
Balarama was hurt and he said he would teach Suta a lesson.
Suta said he was in the process of reciting the Mahabharata and it would be a sin to leave this incomplete.
Balarama was angry. In his anger, he jumped up with his sword and cut off the head of the sage.
All were aghast. The killing of a brahamana was a grave sin. Suta was a learned sage and killing of his was not proper.
Balarama was ashamed at his deed.
Knowing this, Vyasa arrived there. All sages greeted him and received him. They told Vyasa what had happened.
Balarama said He had committed a mistake and wanted to atone for the sin.
Vyasa said Then lead the life of a celibate and go and visit all the pilgrim places. Perform sacrifices and feed brahmanas. Give gifts to the poor.
Saying this Vyasa left.
Suta's son Sauti was there. Balarama went to him and asked him to perform the last rites of his father. Balarama arranged for the ceremony and the gifts. After the ceremony he made Sauti sit in the place of his father to recite the Mahabharata.
After this, Balarama left for his pilgrimage. He had left when the Pandavas and Kauravas had been involved in the game of dice.

Janmajeya asked the sage - What pilgrim spots did Balarama visit?

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