The appearance, childhood, and heroic pastimes of Lord Balarama, the original Vishnu incarnation and elder brother of Lord Krishna.
Appearance and Childhood in Vraja
Lord Balarama is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, equal in supremacy to Krishna, manifest as His elder brother. complexioned white like a lotus flower, He was transferred by Yogamaya from Devaki's womb to Rohini's.
During childhood, Krishna and Balarama traversed Vrindavana tending cows. Balarama once shook the Talavan forest trees to gather fruits, attracting the ass demon Dhenukasura. Balarama seized the demon by his hooves, whirled him, and threw him into a palm tree, ending his life. Later, the demon Pralambasura disguised himself as a cowherd boy to kidnap Balarama. Balarama made Himself massive as mount Sumeru and smashed the demon's head with His fist.
During childhood, Krishna and Balarama traversed Vrindavana tending cows. Balarama once shook the Talavan forest trees to gather fruits, attracting the ass demon Dhenukasura. Balarama seized the demon by his hooves, whirled him, and threw him into a palm tree, ending his life. Later, the demon Pralambasura disguised himself as a cowherd boy to kidnap Balarama. Balarama made Himself massive as mount Sumeru and smashed the demon's head with His fist.
Balarama the Gopi & The Spiritual Lotus of Vraja
Lord Balarama is Vrindavana-dhama itself, facilitating Krishna's pastimes. To serve Krishna's conjugal pastimes, Balarama expands as Srimati Radharani's younger sister, Ananga Manjari.
Balarama respects Krishna's gopis, changing course when He sees gold stones representing Radharani's footsteps. He performed His own rasa-lila at Ram Ghat with His own gopis. When the Yamuna river disregarded His call during this lila, He dragged her with His plow (Hala) until she apologized.
Balarama respects Krishna's gopis, changing course when He sees gold stones representing Radharani's footsteps. He performed His own rasa-lila at Ram Ghat with His own gopis. When the Yamuna river disregarded His call during this lila, He dragged her with His plow (Hala) until she apologized.
Maturity, Wrestling in Mathura, and Pilgrimage
In Mathura, Balarama wrestled and killed the giant Mustika and the wrestler Kuta. He went to Sandipani Muni's school with Krishna, mastering the 64 arts in 64 days.
Later in Dwarka, Balarama married Revati. During the Mahabharata war, He went on pilgrimage. When Romaharsana Suta failed to rise from the Vyasasana, Balarama killed him with a blade of kusa grass, later atoning by killing the demon Balvala. Balarama departed this world when a great white naga (Sesa) emerged from His mouth.
Later in Dwarka, Balarama married Revati. During the Mahabharata war, He went on pilgrimage. When Romaharsana Suta failed to rise from the Vyasasana, Balarama killed him with a blade of kusa grass, later atoning by killing the demon Balvala. Balarama departed this world when a great white naga (Sesa) emerged from His mouth.