Lord Balarama personally teaches us all what to do when we visit the holy places.
When Mahabharat war was about to take place then Lord Balarama decided not to take side of the Pandavas or the Kauravas. Instead, he decided to travel to holy places. Generally, people go on pilgrimage to purify themselves and attain freedom from sins.
But Lord Balarama is the first expansion of Krishna, he is free from all sins. In fact, by taking his shelter people become free of all the sins. Then what was the need for him to go to these holy places?
Lord Balarama is Adi guru, the first spiritual master. And the spiritual master teaches many important lessons to the people by his personal example.
So, by visiting the dhams (holy places) Lord Balarama is teaching us the necessity of going on pilgrimage.
But it is not just about going to these holy places, but it is also equally important to know what to do when we are in these sacred places.
Three activities of Lord Balarama
We see that Lord Balarama primarily did three things in dhams.
1. He took bath in the holy rivers.
He bathed in rivers like Kauśikī, Sarayū, Gomatī, Gaṇḍakī, Vipāśā, Śoṇa,Ganges,Veṇā,Pampā, Bhīmarathī, Kāverī and in the seven branches of the Godāvarī River. He also went to to Prayāga.
2. He gave charity
At Rāmeśvaram, he gave ten thousand cows to brāhmaṇas in charity.
3. He associated with the saintly people
During his pilgrimage he met great sages like Pulaha Ṛṣi & Agastya Ṛṣi. He offered prayers to Agastya Ṛṣi and got blessings from the great sage.
Conclusion
So, Lord Balarama teaches us what activities we should do when we are in the holy places
Following the footsteps of Lord Balarama, we should also take out time to visit holy places. And also perform above three activities which will purify us from the sins and take us closer to Krishna.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.79,16-18
“There at Setubandha [Rāmeśvaram] Lord Halāyudha gave brāhmaṇas ten thousand cows in charity. He then visited the Kṛtamālā and Tāmraparṇī rivers and the great Malaya Mountains. In the Malaya range Lord Balarāma found Agastya Ṛṣi sitting in meditation. After bowing down to the sage, the Lord offered him prayers and then received blessings from him. Taking leave from Agastya, He proceeded to the shore of the southern ocean, where He saw Goddess Durgā in her form of Kanyā-kumārī. Next He went to Phālguna-tīrtha and bathed in the sacred Pañcāpsarā Lake, where Lord Viṣṇu had directly manifested Himself. At this place He gave away another ten thousand cows.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.79,16-18
