The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa 165
brāhmaṇa , but if he improperly uses the position of a  brāhmaṇa  without actual realization, then his elevation to the brahminical position is not valid.
After seeing the deficiency of realization in Romaharṣaṇa Sūta, Lord Balarāma decided to chastise him for being puffed up. Lord Balarāma, therefore said, “This man is liable to be awarded the death punishment because, although he has the good qualification of being a disciple of Lord Vyāsadeva and although he has studied all the Vedic literature from this exalted personality, he was not submissive in the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” As stated in the  Bhagavad-gītā , a person who is actually a  brāhmaṇa  and is very learned must automatically become very gentle also. In the case of Romaharṣaṇa Sūta, although he was very learned and had been given the chance to become a  brāhmaṇa , he had not become gentle. From this we can understand that when one is puffed up by material acquisition, he cannot acquire the gentle behavior befitting a  brāhmaṇa . The learning of such a person is as good as a valuable jewel decorating the hood of a serpent. Despite the valuable jewel on the hood, a serpent is still a serpent and is as fearful as an ordinary serpent. If a person does not become meek and humble, all his studies of the  Vedas  and  Purāṇas  and his vast knowledge in the  śāstras  become simply outward dress, like the costume of a theatrical artist dancing on the stage. Lord Balarāma began to consider thus: “I have appeared in order to chastise false persons who are internally impure but externally pose themselves to be very learned and religious. My killing of such persons is proper to check them from further sinful activity.”
Lord Balarāma had avoided taking part in the Battle of Kurukṣetra, and yet because of His position, the reestablishment of religious principles was his prime duty. Considering these points, He killed Romaharṣaṇa Sūta simply by striking him with a  kuśa  straw, which was nothing but a blade of grass. If someone questions how Lord Balarāma could kill Romaharṣaṇa Sūta simply by striking him with a blade of  kuśa  grass, the answer is given in the  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam  by the use of the word  prabhu  (master). The Lord’s position is always transcendental, and because He is omnipotent He can act as He likes without being obliged to the material laws and principles. Thus it was possible for Him to kill Romaharṣaṇa Sūta simply by striking him with a blade of  kuśa  grass.
At the death of Romaharṣaṇa Sūta, everyone present became much aggrieved, and there was roaring and crying. Although all the  brāhmaṇas  and sages present there knew Lord Balarāma to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they did not hesitate to protest the Lord’s action, and they humbly submitted, “Our dear Lord, we think that Your action is not