Balā and Atibalā Vidyās
A vidyā is a form of sacred knowledge. Some vidyās are living divine powers, passed from teacher to student through a mantra. Balā and Atibalā are two of the highest such vidyās. The ṛṣi Viśvāmitra gave them to Śrī Rāmacandra on the banks of the Sarayū river, right at the start of their journey together.
These two vidyās gave lasting strength and health to the one who received them. A person who holds them never suffers from tiredness, hunger, thirst or disease, and cannot be harmed even while asleep. Balā and Atibalā are described as the daughters of Brahmā and as the highest powers of knowledge in all the worlds.
How They Were Given
As soon as Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa left Ayodhyā with Viśvāmitra, the ṛṣi led them to the banks of the Sarayū, where they spent their first night. At dawn the next day, after the morning rites, Viśvāmitra called Rāma to him and said: “Before anything else, I will give you two vidyās that will protect you in everything you are about to do.” He then gave the Balā and Atibalā to Rāmacandra in the proper way, through mantra-deśanā (the formal teaching of a mantra).
The Powers They Give
The Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa describes the powers of these vidyās clearly:
- The one who receives them will never suffer hunger, thirst or physical tiredness, however long the journey.
- He will not be harmed or attacked while asleep.
- He will be free from all disease.
- His body will shine with such power and splendour that no enemy can come near him.
These vidyās are called the daughters of Brahmā. They are not ordinary weapons or techniques. They are living spiritual powers. Once received and properly honoured, they stay with the one who holds them and support him at all times. Viśvāmitra gave them to Rāma because the tasks ahead needed this basic protection: killing Tāṭakā, guarding the yajña (sacred fire offering), and the long journey to Mithilā.
Why This Episode Matters in the Rāmāyaṇa
The Balā-Atibalā episode is the first formal handing-on of knowledge from guru (teacher) to śiṣya (student) in the story of Rāma. Viśvāmitra had a huge store of divine weapons, gained through many years of tapas (spiritual discipline). Yet he chose to begin not with weapons but with these basic powers of life. This shows that the root of all heroism is wholeness of body and spirit, and that this wholeness is itself a divine gift passed on by the guru.
Sources
- Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Chapter 22
- Tulasī Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa