The Eternal Elder Brother
In the enchanting land of Vrindavana, where divine love flows like the gentle Yamuna river, there walks a figure of unparalleled strength, beauty, and devotion. With skin fair as the morning sun and a presence that commands reverence and affection in equal measure, Lord Balarama stands as the eternal protector and elder brother of Sri Krishna.
As we embark on this exploration of Lord Balarama’s pastimes and qualities, let us open our hearts to receive the boundless mercy that flows from His lotus feet. For in understanding and appreciating Balarama, we unlock the door to the most intimate spiritual realms.
The Appearance of the Divine Protector
The story of Lord Balarama’s appearance in this world is one of divine intervention and cosmic significance. As the seventh child of Devaki, Balarama was transferred from her womb to that of Rohini by the power of Yogamaya. This miraculous event set the stage for His role as Krishna’s elder brother and constant companion.
On an auspicious day in the month of Sravana, Rohini gave birth to Lord Balarama. The moment of His appearance was marked by extraordinary beauty and divine omens:
“His complexion was just like a white lotus flower and He looked like the full moon. His eyes were brilliant like lightning flashes and his hair was the color of a new cloud yet brilliant like the sun. Such extraordinary beauty prevailed because He was none other than the Lord Sankarsana.”
From the very beginning, astrologers recognized the exceptional nature of this divine child. They foretold His future exploits, including the defeat of the demon Pralambasura and His role as Dhenupal, the protector of cows.
As Lord Balarama grew alongside His younger brother Krishna, Their childhood pastimes became the stuff of legend. These seemingly innocent games were, in fact, profound spiritual exchanges that continue to captivate devotees to this day.
Picture the scene: two divine brothers, surrounded by Their cowherd friends, playing in the lush forests of Vrindavana. They would:
- Play on Their flutes, filling the air with transcendental melodies
- Throw ropes and stones to gather fruits from the trees
- Engage in playful wrestling matches, roaring like lions
- Imitate the sounds of various animals, delighting Their friends
These simple pastimes hold deep spiritual significance. They reveal the perfect balance of sweetness and strength, of divine majesty and childlike innocence, that characterizes Lord Balarama.
The Protector of Krishna: Balarama as “Douji”
One of the most endearing aspects of Lord Balarama’s character is His role as Krishna’s protective elder brother. Known affectionately as “Douji” (the elder brother who protects and cares for the younger), Balarama took this responsibility to heart.
There’s a touching story that illustrates this protective nature:
After Krishna had lifted Govardhana Hill and defeated several ferocious demons, Balarama began to worry. He hadn’t personally vanquished a demon in some time and felt concerned about fulfilling His duty as Krishna’s protector. This led to a sweet exchange where Balarama asked to wear Krishna’s peacock feather and play His flute for a day.
This seemingly simple request reveals the depth of Balarama’s love for Krishna and His desire to always be there for His younger brother. It’s a reminder that even in the spiritual world, relationships are built on love, care, and a genuine desire to please one another.
The Strength of Balarama: Vanquisher of Demons
While Lord Balarama is the embodiment of spiritual strength, He also possesses unmatched physical prowess. Throughout His pastimes, we see numerous examples of Balarama effortlessly defeating powerful demons who threatened the peace of Vrindavana.
Some of His most notable victories include:
Dhenukasura: This donkey demon and his companions were no match for Balarama’s strength. With a single hand, He hurled Dhenukasura into the treetops, causing a spectacular chain reaction that shook the entire Talavana forest.
Dvivida: This gorilla demon, as strong as 10,000 elephants, dared to interrupt Balarama’s rasa-lila pastimes. The ensuing battle leveled mountains and forests before Balarama finally subdued the demon with His bare hands.
- Pralambasura: This cunning demon disguised himself as a cowherd boy, hoping to kidnap Balarama. However, the Lord saw through his deception and, with a single mighty blow of His fist, ended the demon’s life.
These victories are not merely displays of physical strength. They represent the triumph of spiritual power over the forces of ignorance and evil. Each demon vanquished by Balarama symbolizes an internal obstacle overcome on the path of devotion.
The Playful Side of Balarama: Divine Intoxication
While Lord Balarama is undoubtedly a figure of great spiritual gravitas, He also embodies a playful, sometimes mischievous energy that endears Him to devotees. This is perhaps most evident in His pastimes involving divine intoxication.
During His visit to Vrindavana, Balarama engaged in two months of blissful pastimes with His cowherd girlfriends. One memorable night, intoxicated with joy and Varuni (a honey-like beverage), Balarama decided He wanted to play in the Yamuna river. When the river didn’t immediately comply with His wishes, He playfully threatened to drag her with His plow!
This pastime, while seemingly whimsical, holds deep spiritual significance. It illustrates Balarama’s complete control over material nature and His ability to bend it to His will for the purpose of divine play.
Servitor Personified
Lord Balarama is constantly serving Lord Krishna in every respect. In all of Krishna’s incarnations and manifestations. In Rama-lila, Balarama serves Lord Ramachandra as His younger Brother, Laxmana. In Kali-yuga, Sri Balarama spreads the Sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya as Lord Nityananda. Lord Balarama serves Sri Krishna in all five rasas (mellows), santa to madhurya rasa. In Santa Rasa Lord Balarama fulfills Sri Krishna’s desires for blissful transcendental pastimes by expanding Himself as the holy dhama of Vraja Mandala. All of Krishna’s personal possessions such as Krishna’s crown, bed, clothes, throne, ornaments; and any other objects that Krishna utilizes are all expansions of Lord Balarama. As Krishna’s cowherd friend and elder brother in Sakhya Rasa, Sri Balarama sometimes accepts service from Krishna after defeating Him in a wrestling match. But generally, Balarama’s fraternal feelings are mixed with servitude (Dasya Rasa) and parental affection (Vatsalya Rasa). In the mood of Vatsalya Rasa, Sri Balarama sometimes protects Krishna as a parent or chastises Him as the elder. Once Lord Balarama told Subala, “my dear friend, please inform Krishna not to go to Kaliya today. Today is Krishna’s birthday, and so I wish to go along with Mother Yasoda to bathe Him. Tell Krishna He should not leave the house today!” This shows how Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother took care of Krishna with parental love, within the scope of fraternal affection.
In understanding and appreciating Lord Balarama, we unlock the door to the most intimate spiritual realms.
The splendor of Lord Balarama’s transcendental form eclipses many millions of glistening rising moons, and the slightest scent of His boundless strength is sufficient to destroy many armies of demons. Although He knows the supernatural power of His younger brother Krishna, still, out of love for Him, Balarama never leaves Krishna alone in the forest even for a moment. I offer my prayers to Lord Balarama, the enemy of Dhenukasura.
Balarama The Gopi
Balarama as the Source of Spiritual Strength
Beyond His physical prowess, Lord Balarama is the very source of spiritual strength for all devotees. Srila Prabhupada beautifully explains this concept:
“The sword of knowledge is given by Krishna, and when one serves the guru and Krishna in order to hold the sword of Krishna’s instructions, Balarama gives one strength. Balarama is Nityananda. Thus one should accept the sword of knowledge from Krishna and be strong with the mercy of Balarama.”
This profound statement reveals the essential role Balarama plays in our spiritual journey. He is the strength that allows us to wield the sword of knowledge, to cut through the illusions of material existence and realize our true spiritual nature.
Balarama: The Expansion of Vrindavana Dhama
One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of Lord Balarama’s nature is His expansion as the very land of Vrindavana itself. As the spiritual abode of Sri Krishna, Vrindavana is fully conscious and saturated with divine love. Balarama, in His expansion as the dhama, facilitates all of Krishna’s transcendental pastimes.
This expansion allows for seemingly impossible feats, such as Krishna traversing great distances in short periods to meet with Radharani. It also enables great devotees like Sanatana Goswami to effortlessly move throughout Vrindavana to participate in various spiritual pastimes.
Understanding Balarama as the dhama itself deepens our appreciation for His all-pervasive nature and His integral role in facilitating the Lord’s pastimes.
The Merciful Nature of Lord Balarama
Perhaps the most endearing quality of Lord Balarama is His boundless mercy. He is known as the friend of the most fallen and wretched, always ready to extend His helping hand to those in need of spiritual upliftment.
This merciful nature is beautifully illustrated in His incarnation as Lord Nityananda, where He freely distributed the holy name and love of God without consideration of qualification. The Goswamis confirm that by receiving Lord Nityananda’s mercy, one becomes eligible to receive the ecstatic prema of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna in Vraja.
For devotees on the path of bhakti, this means that approaching Lord Balarama or Nityananda with sincere hearts is the surest way to progress in spiritual life and ultimately attain the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna.
The Indispensable Role of Balarama in Spiritual Life
As we conclude our exploration of Lord Balarama’s divine pastimes and qualities, we’re left with a profound appreciation for His indispensable role in spiritual life. He is simultaneously:
- The protector and elder brother of Krishna
- The source of spiritual and physical strength
- The embodiment of devotional service
- The expansion of the spiritual world itself
- The bestower of mercy upon sincere seekers
By meditating on these qualities and pastimes of Lord Balarama, we invite His mercy into our lives. We begin to understand that just as Krishna is incomplete without Balarama, our spiritual journey is incomplete without recognizing and appreciating Balarama’s glories.
Let us, therefore, approach the lotus feet of Lord Balarama with open hearts and sincere devotion. For in doing so, we open ourselves to a flood of spiritual strength, mercy, and ultimately, the pure love of God that is the ultimate goal of all spiritual endeavors.
May Lord Balarama’s gentle smile and powerful presence guide us on our spiritual journey, protecting us from obstacles and infusing our hearts with the strength to persevere in devotional service. All glories to Sri Balarama, the divine protector and elder brother of the Supreme Lord!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
