Kārapavana Tīrtha
Kārapavana is a tīrtha (holy bathing place) linked with the river Yamunā. The Śalya Parva connects it with the devas Indra, Agni and Aryaman. Its waters are cool, clear and pure. The Mitra-Varuṇa āśrama (hermitage) lies close by. Balarāma stayed at both places at the end of his Sarasvatī pilgrimage.
Balarāma at Kārapavana
Balarāma bathed here and did rites, including tarpaṇa (water offerings) to the pitṛs (ancestors) and the devas. He then spent one night here with brāhmaṇa ascetics.
The Mitra-Varuṇa āśrama
From Kārapavana, Balarāma went on to the Mitra-Varuṇa āśrama, a holy āśrama near the tīrtha, linked with the two devas Mitra and Varuṇa. He bathed there and sat with ṛshis and siddhas, listening to auspicious stories.
Nārada brings news
At the Mitra-Varuṇa āśrama, Nārada arrived, carrying his kacchapī vīṇā (a stringed instrument). He spoke of himself as one who loves conflict. He told Balarāma the whole account of the Kurukshetra war and of the gadāyuddha (club fight) about to take place between Bhīma and Duryodhana. When he heard this, Balarāma at once climbed into his chariot and went back to Kurukshetra.
Sources
- Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 54