Why Balarama Killed Lomaharshana?

This audio tells you about - 1. How Lomaharshana got his name 2. How Lomaharshana was offered the highest position in the yajna even though he had not learned the Vedas 3. Why Balarama killed Lomaharshana 4. How Balarama transferred the qualities and knowledge of Lomaharshana to his son Ugrasrava.

Suta is the narrator of Puranas.

We saw that Suta is the name of a caste, not a particular individual.

It became more of a designation, a position later on.

Narrators of Puranas came to be generally called as Suta.

The first Suta was Lomaharshana, the disciple of Sage Vyasa.

Lomaharshana learned the Puranas directly from Vyasa Maharshi.

Click below to listen to Balarama Sahasranama 

Meaning of Lomaharshana

The meaning of the name Lomaharshana is (we used to keep meaningful names in the past):

विचित्रपुराणकथाश्रवणात् लोम्नां हर्षणं उद्गमो यस्मात्।

If someone listens to stories narrated by Lomaharshana, his hair would stand up, he would get goose pimples, even the hair on his body would become happy, excited, and stand up.

That is why he was called Lomaharshana.

Lomaharshana at Naimisharanya

When Rishis started the one thousand-year-long yaga in Naimisharanya, Lomaharshana came there.

Rishis gave the position of Brahmasana to Lomaharshana.

How could the Rishis do this?

Lomaharshana had not learned the Vedas, he had only learned Puranas.

Yajna is a Vedic procedure.

How could the Rishis do this?

Because Rishis have the authority.

All rules in Sanatana-Dharma are laid down by Rishis.

Rishis know the essence of Veda.

Whatever they do, it will never violate Vedic principles.

They apply enough mind before doing anything.

They are very concerned that the divine order should never be breached.

So, at a surface level, we may find many things mysterious.

But if Rishis have done it, then it is well validated.

Lomaharshana used to sit on brahmasana when the yajna procedures were going on and narrate stories at other times.

Rishis can make stone into God by chanting mantras.

They can infuse divinity into stone.

That is their power; that is their knowledge.

Whatever Rishis say, that is the ultimate word for us.

That is shastra for us.

That is the ultimate teaching for us because they will never breach Vedic principles.

Lomaharshana used to sit on a high seat and tell stories and the Rishis used to sit on the ground and listen.

We should understand all these.

So much of bad propaganda is there about chaturvarnya; as if it was created for exploitation.

You should understand all these, how it actually worked.

Balarama comes to Naimisharanya

While the Yaga was going on, once Lord Balarama came to Naimisharanya.

He was on a pilgrimage.

Lord Balarama is very fond of pilgrimages.

He was going to several holy places.

Everyone stood up and offered pranamas to him.

He is Adishesha; everyone knew this.

But Lomaharshana alone did not get up.

Balarama got offended.

He took out a kusha grass, chanted Brahmastra mantra, and shot it towards Lomaharshana.

Lomaharshana fell from his seat; dead.

Rishis were shocked.

Oh, Lord! What have you done, he was our Brahma, he is not supposed to get up.

Oh! ok, I didn't know that, I will revive him.

No, Lord! then it will be an insult to Brahmastra.

To revive somebody killed by Brahmastra will be an insult to Brahmastra.

What shall we do now? 

We had given Lomaharshana a thousand years of longevity also so that the narration of stories can go on without a break.

Lord Balarama said, ok then you tell me what to do.

Rishis said: we don’t know!

You have done brahmahatya; that is another problem; you should do prayaschitta.

We don’t know, you decide!

Balarama called Lomahrshana’s son, Ugrashrava.

Transferred all knowledge and qualities of Lomaharshana onto Ugrashrava’s body.

Even longevity till the end of yaga.

Lord Balarama blessed Ugrashrava thus.

Thereafter, Ugrashrava took over from his father and continued narration of the Puranas till the end of the yajna.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi