Balaram Purnima

Lord Balaram appeared on the full moon day of Shravan Month. This day is celebrated as Balaram Jayanti every year. This year it is celebrated on the 19th of August. During this festival, ISKCON Temples are beautifully decorated. Devotees assemble from various regions to get a glance at deities. This day has great significance as Lord Balaram is very dearest to Lord Krishna. Lord Balaram associates Himself with Hal (Plough) and Mace, so he is also known as Haldhar.

Lord Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead among all avatars. Balaramji is the first expansion of Sri Krishna.

Difference In Appearance of Krishna & Balaram

Balaram Ji and Sri Krishna only differ in appearance. The appearance of Sri Krishna is blue or Shyamwarna, like dark clouds. So sometimes, He is also called Ghanshyam. Sri Balaram Ji’s appearance is white as pure milky clouds.

Role of Sri Balaram

Balaram Ji cooperates with the Supreme Lord in various ways and enjoys the ecstasy of the service of Sri Krishna in the form of Sheshnag. When Sri Krishna appeared in this materialistic world, he comes along with His associates and paraphernalia.

Lord Balaram’s Advent

When 5000 years back, Lord Sri Krishna appeared on this worldly planet. Sri Balaram preceded in this world. When Baladeva stayed in the womb of Devaki as the seventh child, she presumed that this child is not an ordinary child. He is a divine child, which bothered her about his safety.

Kansa became alert by spotting a glow in Mata Devaki, thinking the prophecy may have fooled him. Instead of the 8th son of Devaki, he will be slain by the 7th son.

Kansa’s Fright

Even Kansa became fearful by sensing his potency, thinking the prophecy may have tricked him that he will be slain only by the eighth child of Devaki. At that time, Lord Sri Krishna enjoined Yoga Maya, His internal potency, to transfer the unborn from the womb of Devaki to the house of Sri Nanda Maharaj at Gokul in the womb of Rohini. In this way, Balaram Ji appeared in Gokul at Nanda Baba’s house.

Forecast of Gargamuni

This newly born child is loaded with extraordinary body strength, so this child will be called Balaram.

The Moniker of Sri Balaram

This newly born child is loaded with extraordinary body strength, so this child will be called Balaram.

Since, He got brought from the womb of Devaki to the womb of Rohini so, He will also be known as Sankarshan. As He appeared as Rohini’s son, He will also be known as Rohini Nandana. He is the elder brother of Krishna, So He is also recognised as “Dauji”.

Lord Balaram’s Appearance

Sri Balaram ji is white as crystal in appearance. Balaram ji is a 16-years old boy, full of zeal glistened with supernatural powers.

He wears blue clothes and garlands with vanamala and kunjamala. Ruby and Pearl neckpiece beautifully placed in his neck, armlets in his strong arms, and wears beautifully crafted anklets in His lotus feet, He looks even more attractive. His broad chest is ornamented with a garland of Gunja Mala, and he has a harsh and soft voice. His long arm touches His knee. His beauty is similar to millions of glistening rising moons. His boundless strength is equal to the minimal amount of force sufficient to destroy many armies of demons.

Even being well informed about the supernatural power of His younger brother, Balaram ji never left Sri Krishna alone in the jungle. As an elder brother, Balaram ji was a symbol of Sri Krishna’s love and respect. Therefore, Balaram ji is very dear to Lord Sri Krishna, and He is the nectar ocean of many sweet pastimes. There are some such pastimes in which Balaram ji has a special mention.

Lord Balaram’s Pastimes

Balaram Ji slays Dhenukasura and Pralambasura. They were demons sent by Kansa to chastised Yamuna Devi.

Sri Balaram also freed Samba from the captivity of Kauravas. Balaram Ji married Revati. Balaram became angry with Bhima for killing Duryodhana by trickery and killed Romaharshana for not deserving esteem to Vyasdeva.

Creator of Spirituality

Due to the first expansion of the Supreme Lord, the entire spiritual world has originated from Balaram Ji. All the material and conscious things engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord are expanded from Sri Balaram Ji. He is the original Guru Tattva, the original Guru of all living beings. When Balaram Ji roams in the forest, a few trees crouch towards Him to greet Him.

Lord Krishna’s Words

Lord Krishna says all the demigods also want to do sewa of lotus feet of Sri Balaram and please Him. Lord Balaram is the eternal companion of Lord Sri Krishna. He always appeared with Lord Krishna as Lakshmana with Rama and later as Nityananda Prabhu with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Consistently, He always stayed with Supreme Lord Krishna in His pastimes to provide service to the Lord. So Balaram Ji is like a retainer of Lord Sri Krishna. His only mission is to please Krishna by providing assistance to him.

He is the original spiritual Guru. Anyone who has the impulse to make spiritual progress has to acquire the mercy of Sri Balaram. Thus we should pray and please Lord Balaram that He provides us strength to give service to Lord Krishna with complete devotion and dedication.