Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.2.13
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBalarāma Is Also Known as Rāma
“The son of Rohiṇī will also be celebrated as Saṅkarṣaṇa because of being sent from the womb of Devakī to the womb of Rohiṇī. He will be called Rāma because of His ability to please all the inhabitants of Gokula, and He will be known as Balabhadra because of His extensive physical strength.”
What the purport teaches
- The son of Rohiṇī is called Saṅkarṣaṇa because He is transferred from Devakī’s womb to Rohiṇī’s womb.
- He is called Rāma because He pleases all the inhabitants of Gokula. His extensive physical strength gives Him the name Balabhadra.
- The purport explains that there is no difference between Balarāma and Lord Rāma. Accepting Rāma in the mahā-mantra as Balarāma is therefore not artificial.
Try this today
Chant the mahā-mantra once attentively, remembering that Balarāma is also known as Rāma.
Ask yourself
How does learning the meanings of these names help me chant with more attention?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.