I am your eternal servant, having forgotten..
Fallen into material, desire pool rotten..
You alone are only shelter, not my mother, father..
Not knowing this did I enjoy, independence rather..
Who can understand your deeds, you are master ultimate..
Sweet are your pastimes always, bliss the only climate..
In my ignorance of you, sinner have I become..
Know I not my dear Lord how, you will make me overcome..
You are omnipotent and, omniscient and everything..
Do I not know that you are, capable of anything..
On that knowledge I do have, plea a humble to be made..
Give me O Govinda mercy, your eternal lotus shade..
Comments
I offer my respectful obeisances!
The virtue of love is most misunderstood feeling, and precious treasure! However, love is not blind! Lord Krishna want us to be happy, but how...? The his only way to be selfless heart, spiritual love, and pure devotion! This delights the heart.
Chanting the Holy Name, Hare Krishna!
"Oh Lord Krishna, Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service."
Thank you so much!
With, much love,
Rmdd
Nice! :) But that's not Krishna, that's Balarama's rasa-yatra.. His moonlike white face and blue robes hand it over.. but then, big difference? :D Krishna, Balarama.. They are all the same. Though quite different, I must add.
Purnananda devi is standing in front of Him I think?
Yes, Baladeva has His Rasa dance, held at different time and place than Krsna's. Krsna's girlfriends avoid Baladeva etc. and in this way there are two groups. I was trying to remember some of the specific names of His associates, Balarama's.
Q. The Srimad Bhagavatam describes Krishna’s pastimes with the cowherd girls (gopis) and in one place says that Krishna’s brother Balarama was romantic with the gopis as well. The text reads as though Krishna and Balarama were involved with the same gopis but the commentary to verse 10.65.17, which cites Sridhara Swami, Jiva Goswami, and Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, states that this was not the case.
The question I have is why couldn’t Balarama, being an expansion of Krishna and thus the same divine person (God), also enjoy pastimes with Krishna’s gopis? Krishna and Balarama are one, so what could be wrong with this? Couldn’t the acaryas have commented as they did simply because an uninitiated reader of the Bhagavatam might consider it improper for Krishna and Balarama to be romantic with the same gopis?
A. Balarama is an expansion of Krishna, so in this sense they are one, but this does not override the fact that the two are emotionally different. Their emotional difference is vital, as Krishna’s play (lila), fueled as it is by divine love/bhava, thrives on difference. The bheda, or difference, in Sri Caitanya’s metanarrative of acintya bhedabheda (inconceivably simultaneously one and different) gives rise to lila. Thus Balarama is not one with Krishna in the sense that in his absence Balarama can substitute for him as Radha’s lover. Indeed, Balarama is respected by Radha as Krishna’s elder brother so she is not even romantic with Krishna in Balarama’s presence out of deference to him.
Thus knowing the truths that govern rasananda–rasa-tattva–the Goswamis have pointed out how the Bhagavatam does not say what it may appear to say on its surface. The Goswamis are revealing the feeling of the text as they understand its implications even better than its author Vyasa did–vyaso vetti na vetti va.
However, the text of the Bhagavatam itself depicts the relationship between Balarama and Krishna’s gopis as mutually reverential, rama-sandarsanadrtah. This is quite different from the spirit of their relationship with Krishna, and it prohibits the possibility of an intimate relationship between Balarama and Krishna’s gopis, who by love’s law were already married to Krishna. As for the paramour nature of their relationship with Krishna, there is no question of complicating it further by putting Balarama in the mix!
Earlier Krishna sent Uddhava to represent him and deliver a message to the gopis, but Uddhava had no experience of Vraja-bhakti. Thus he could not convey Krishna’s heart to the Vraja-sundaris. He explained philosophy to them and became bewildered by their bhava, srutibhir vimrigyam. As they unpacked the actual significance of Krishna message that Uddhava delivered, he himself became unglued by its implications. Thus after seeing what happened to Uddhava, Krishna sent Balarama to speak to the gopis to make sure that his heart message was conveyed. Balarama is most faithful to Krishna, and Balarama knows Krishna’s heart much better than Uddhava does. Balarama is a Vrajavasi, and therefore he knows what Vraja-bhava is.
Thus Balarama expressed Krishna’s heart to the gopis and pacified them with the assurance that Krishna would return in a week’s time. His relationship with Krishna’s gopis is one of representing his brother faithfully, as Lakshman represented Ramachandra and never imagined enjoying Sita himself. After delivering Krishna’s message and pacifying the gopis to an extent, Balarama, following Krishna’s order to him before he left Dvaraka, pursued the marriage of another group of younger gopis who did not participate in rasa-lila with Krishna. After getting the permission of the elders, Balarama married them without an overt celebration due to Krishna not being present to participate, his greatest joy being the pleasure of his younger brother, in separation from whom Balarama is not entirely himself. Balarama’s gopis are the gopis Krishna refers to in his eulogy of Balarama in the Bhagavatam’s tenth canto, kurvanti gopya iva te priyam iksanena. Balarama danced with these gopis earlier in the springtime during Holi celebrations when Krishna killed Sankhachuda.
Balarama’s relationship with his gopis is one of maryada, not raga. The raga of Balarama is his sakhya reality, his friendly love for Krishna. He is Krishna’s best friend, and it is this higher aspect of Balarama that the Goswamis have focused on and opened a window to for all of us to view. This view shows Balarama in the best possible light. If we are to pursue love of Balarama, we shall pursue love of Krishna-Balarama, sambandhanuga raganuga bhakti.
There is no kamanuga with Balarama as there is with Krishna. He does not directly participate in parakiya-bhava. The secrets of his marriage to other gopis related above aside, his principal wives known to all are Revati and Vasudha in Dvaraka. He is well known for his marriage to these two. And again, this is not parakiya or kamanuga. It is ruled by maryada.
While it is true that Balarama manfests his sakti as Ananga-manjari, the younger sister of Radha, Ananga-manjari is not Balarama’s consort in Vraja. He is one with her in tattva in as much as sakti and its source saktiman are one, but the two are very different in bhava. Radha and Krishna are also one in this sense, but they are more importantly different. If they were not different but rather one in all respects–if Krishna as Radha (his sakti) fully tasted the mahabhava of parakiya–there would be no need for Sri Caitanya. Therefore, in Nityananda Rama’s lineage it is only Jahnava, a representation of Ananga-manjari in Gaura-lila, who distributes parakiya-bhava, while Nityananda Rama himself distributes sakhya rasa. That said, it is of course also a fact that no one can taste parakiya-bhava without the blessing of Nityananda Rama–ara kabe nitaicand karuna karibe samsara vasana mora kabe tuccha ha’be.
Balarama and gopis
This can be a lengthy subject matter for discussion. But I will cut it short. Lord Krsna & Lord Balarama are the all-attractive Supreme Personalities of Godhead. There are basically only two sets of gopies in Vrndavana. One set having conjugal relationship with Krsna and the other with Balarama. Some pastimes are described in Ananda Vrndavana Champu. Ofcourse in Krsna's gopies there are many yuthas (groups) & yutheshvaries (group leaders). So is the case with Balarama's set. I can describe some pastimes from AVC published by Mahanidhi Swami:
Haladhara Balarama looked extraordinarily elegant moving with His own group of og young gopi consorts. One golden earring enticingly danced on Balarama's cheek and His eyes rolled from drinking varuni. His dark blue chaddar half falling off His camphor white chest, Baladeva looked like the white moon breaking through the darkness. For some time , Baladeva who is a talented artist, danced to the beat of songs in carcass and dvipadika. Appearing like the personification of bliss, Balarama sang, laughed, and threw kumkuma powder on His beloved gopies, as if sprinkling the sindura of love on their foreheads. Backed by the vina, Baladeva loudly sang a song in dvipadika. Then in a joking mood, He threw colored powders on the restless-eyed gopies. Balarama mixed with His many gopi group leaders and their companions in the same way that Krsna enjoys with His gopies like Radhika, Lalita, Candravali, Syama & Bhadra....
As Krsna playfully moved with heroic steps, He met with Balarama who rambled about like an intoxicated elephant along with His own group of enraptured young gopies. These gopies were completely attached to Balarama, gazed at Him with tender eyes,, conveying their affection for their beloved consort. Lifting their bangle-laden arms, they sang according to the beat and sometimes induced Balarama to sing along. While their ankle-bells tinkled in time with the nimble movements of their feet, the gopies danced beside their beloved Balarama, and threw kumkuma powder on His body with great delight.
Understanding the hints from Krsna's glances, the cowherd boys bombarded the gopies with red, white and yellow scented powders. Balarama's gopies ran away fearfully. Seeing their condition, Krsna smiled and mocked them by playing merily on His flute. Krsna's gopies laughed along in sweet tones. While clapping their hands with a strong beat and bellowing "Ho! Ho! Hee! Hee!" Krsna's friends filled the four directions with robust laughter.
His anger and passion enflamed, Rohininandana, roaring like a wild bull elephant suddenly spurred to competition, chased Krsna's companions to defeat them with a deluge of powders. Glancing forwards & backwards like lions stalking prey, Krsna's girlfriends desired victory. But losing their intelligence, whether to attack or retreat, so they all ran away. When Krsna's gopa friends (the priya-narma sakhas) counter-attacked Baladeva, He laughed as He squeezedthem in His strong, snake-like arms and covered them with colorful powders. In this pleasure of playing, Krsna's cowherd boyfriends lost all sense of awe for Baladeva, as they shouted at Him with contorted faces. Being very strong, they manged to get free from Baladeva's grip. Gathering in a group, they fearlessly retaliated with a volley of vermillion bombs. Though defeated, Baladeva remained fearless.
Krsna bathing everyone in the glow of His soft, sweet smile, said, " What you have done is not right. I do not like it. It is ungentlemanly to gang up on My brother who is all alone." Hearing this, all the boys calmed down.
Moved by the emotions of comedy, pride & anger, Baladeva's complexion assumed a ruddy hue to appear like a diamond pillar embraced by red lotuses. The majestic form of Balarama shone like a huge crystal bud reflecting the red jaba flower, or like a proud pinnacle of ice touched by the pink of early dawn. Baladeva looked as elegant as a mountain of white lotuses covered by a forest of pink lotuses inhabited by cakravaka birds. He looked like a full moon anointed with vermillion, glowing in the red evening sunset. Seeing Him thus, Balarama's gopies surrounded Him and amused Him with blissful singing and dancing as they wandered off together.
Kavi-karnapura's descriptions are super-excellent. I have tried to give the whole pastime of Balarama and His gopies with Krsna & His gopies and priya-narma gopas because such pastimes are rarely mentioned in the scriptures. I hope all the devotees are pleased.
> If that is the case, does the other > > >>Cowherd boys also have Their gopis, or are they just serving Lord > > >>Krsna in His pastimes with the Gopis?
No other cowherd boys have any extra-marital conjugal relationship with any of the gopies like Krsna & Balarama.
> > Are the other cowherd boys Visnu-tattva? Thus expanding their personal > > pleasure potency to increase their divine pleasure? Or are they servants > > of the conjugal mellows of Vraja, meant for Lord Rasaraja to relish? > > Again, food for thought.
No cowherd boys are Visnu-tattva. They were Visnu-tattva only in brahma-vimohana lila when Krsna expanded Himself as the cowherd boys & calves. Among the cowherd boys, there are also different categories. And among these categories only the most intimate sakhas, the priya narma sakhas (like Subala, Madhumangala, Ujjwala, Arjuna, Kokeela, Sananda, Vidagdha etc.) assist Krsna in His conjugal pastimes with the gopies. Others simply serve Him & Balarama in sakhya rasa without knowledge of His conjugal pastimes and they are perfectly satisfied in their constitiutional position.
Your servant, Nayana-ranjana Dasa
Sri Krishna Vasanta Rasa
Krsna's Various Rasayatras:
Pushya Abhisheka:
Saradiya Rasayatra:
Vasanta panchami:
Vasanta Rasayatra:
Krsna Phula Dola, Salila Vihara:
Radha Govinda Jhulan Yatra :
Balaram Rasayatra: (below)
Sri Krishna performs rasa lila fo two varieties, one in the autumn season (Saradiya) and one in the spring season (Vasant), on vaisakha purnima. His transcendental brother Sri Balarama also performs rasa dance at this time.
Balarama Rasayatra - Lord Balarama's springtime rasa dance with His cowherd girlfriends.
Balarama's Rasayatra
by Deena Bandhu Das on Tuesday, March 30, 2010
From 5th Chapter of Bhakti-ratnakara
Balarama, the son of Rohini performed his rasalila in Ramaghat. This place is situated quite a long distance from where Krishna had his rasalila.
Balarama was the second body of Krishna himself and the depth of his real self was like the depth of a million oceans. He came to Vraja from Dvaraka and stayed during the two months of Chaita and Vaishakh to console Sri Nanda, Yasoda and the others. He pleased his sakhas in various ways. There also Balarama gave solace to all the Krishna priyas and charmed his own dear and loving gopis by having lilas with them. At that time Krishna killed Sankhachuda. Then Krishna and Balarama both performed divine lilas with their own lovers and played Holi. Only a learned devotee can describe the beauty of these celestial activities. In Sri Krishna Caitanya Carita Murari Gupta says; "Look at Rama and Krishna who are covered with jewels and suitably dressed for spring time. In a humorous mood they performed their kelis with their own beautiful Vraja ladies. They are gracefully dancing and singing in a delightful mood with their pretty gopis.
The gopis who were not fortunate enough to associate with Krishna forgot their sorrow when Balarama performed his lila with them. How Balarama increased their enjoyemnt is beyond description.
In Srimad Bhagavatam it is stated that Bhagavan Sri Balarama stayed in Vraja for two months and supplied divine enjoyment to the gopis each night. Sri Raghava continued to describe the beauty of Balarama at the time of his rasa keli. "O Srinivasa, knowing that he would perform his rasa lila with his dear lovers Balarama happily came to this place. This pleasant spot, situated near the Yamuna river, was continually filled with scented air. The flowers of the gardens were in full bloom and the sky was bright from the full moon. The humming of bumble and the sweet whistling of different birds surcharged the atmosphere. Millions of male and female peacocks danced and many deer played in the garden. As Balarama relaxed beneath a tree the guards in heaven sang the glories of Rohini Nandan whose beauty and posture could fascinate the world. The following is a song.
Glory to the valiant Rohininandana. The white conch, kunda flowers, camphor, and the silver-white mountain bow down to Balarama's beautiful bright complexion. His curly hair, the beauty of the carefree locks of hair on his forehead, his bright tilaka stir the hearts of young maidens. His lotus eyes are restless and his eyebrows dance like black bumble bees near his bright earrings. With a short nose and a face which conquers the splendor of the moon, it seems like nectar pours from his body. His arms are decorated with bangles and jeweled necklaces adorn his strong chest. His thin waist makes the lion feel insufficient and his blue dress enhances his figure. His beautifully shaped thighs and feet fascinate the hearts of all who see him.
O Srinivasa, who can keep his composure seeing the splendor of Baladeva? It was here that Rama sat on a jeweled throne in a graceful Ramostava dress. The beauty of Baladeva conquers millions of kamadevas and every movement of his charms the Munis and Indras. The glory of his body which brightens the three worlds can win the pride of a million moons. The silky black curly hair covering his head is decorated with a jewel set crown and flowers. His lips are as red as bima fruit and his teeth sparkle like pearls. A garland of Vaijayanti dangles from his powerful neck. The reddish color of the soles of his feet defeat the sun and the brightness of his nails conquers the darkness.
I am unable to describe the beauty of Baladeva as there is no comparison to him in this world. Whoever absorbs the gracefulness of Baladeva is the most fortunate person. In the Puranas, Baladeva Dhyana is written as follows: In this place Rohininandana, Balarama, stood in a threefold bending form and blew joyfully on his horn, the sound of which moved the heart of Brahma and others. O Srinivasa, with one mouth only how can I describe the beauty of Balai's lila? Here in this moon-lit Yamuna Upavana, Balarama engaged in lilas surrounded by millions of gopis."
In that Upavana near the Yamuna which was flooded by bright moon light and covered with the scent of lotuses, Balarama performed his rasa lila. Then Varuni devi, sent by her father Varuna, flowed from a hole in a tree and filled the entire atmosphere with the sweet scent of wine. Baladeva breathed the scent and drank the wine with his beloved gopis in that garden. (Srimad Bhagavatam)
Raghava continued his story, after drinking the wine, Rohini Mandana engaged himself in divine love making with his gopis. Some of the gopis played with mridanga, ranika, and other instruments, while other gopis sang the glories of Balarama in beautiful songs based on beautiful tunes and beats. Lord Brahma and others were moved by the music. Sri Balarama himself became overwhelmed by the dance, the songs and music and soon the rasa mandir was filled with celestial joy. To enjoy water sports with his lovers Balarama brought the Yamuna near by pulling her with his plough and then sported in her water. After bathing Balarama changed his dress, drank honey and wine and spent the night with his associates.
In the early morning the gopis could not bear their separation from Balarama and did not want to return to their homes. Balarama consoled them in many ways and sent them to their houses. Out of fear for Balarama the Yamuna offered him prayers and folding her hands she threw herself at his feet.
When by her own quiet nature the Yamuna was flowing to the South ocean, she did not respond to the order of Balarama and thus he pulled her with his plough. In this place the Yamuna can be seen as she is. I sing the glory of this place with my devoted heart. (Stavavali/Vraja Vilas)
Sri Raghava told his followers that Rasa Sthali is famous throughout the world and devotees offer their worship as this Ramaghat Pradesh.
Sri Balarama-paddhati-patala Print E-mail
Written by Sriman Kusakratha dasa
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Sri Garga-samhita, Canto Eight, Volume Two, Chapter Ten
Translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa
Text 1
duryodhana uvaca bhagavan gargacaryena gopi-yuthaya katham dattam balabhadra-pancangam tat-krpaya vadatat. tvam sarvajno 'si
Duryodhana said: O master, you know everything. Please kindly repeat to me what Garga Muni spoke to the gopis to tell them of the five-part worship of Lord Balarama.
Text 2
sri-pradvipaka uvaca kauravendra ekada gargacaryah kalinda-nandinim snatum gargacalad vraja-mandalam cajagama. tatraikante marul-lilaijal-lalita-lata-taru-pallava-pushpa-gandha-matta-milinda-punje kalindi-kula-kalita-nikunje sri-rama-krishna-dhyana-tat-param gargacaryam pranamya nagendra-kanyah sma iti jati-smara gopa-kanyah srimad-balabhadra-prapty-artham sevanam papracchus tasam paramam bhaktim vikshya paddhati-patala-stotra-kavaca-sahasra-namani gopi-yuthaya sa pradadau. kim bhuyas tvam tad-grahanam kartum icchasi vadatat.
Sri Pradvipaka Muni said: O king of the Kauravas, one day Garga Muni left Mount Garga and went to Vraja to bathe in the Yamuna. In a certain forest grove by the Yamuna's shore, where gentle breezes moved the graceful trees, flowering vines, and new sprouts, and where the bees were maddened by the sweet scent of the flowers, some gopis bowed down before Garga Muni, who was rapt in meditation on Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama. Remembering their previous birth as snake-princesses, the gopis asked him what kind of devotional service they should perform to attain the company of Lord Balarama. Seeing their great devotion, Garga Muni gave these gopis the paddhati, patala, stotra, kavaca, and sahasra-nama of Lord Balarama. What more do you wish to hear? You may ask.
Text 3
duryodhana uvaca
ramasya paddhatim bruhi
yaya siddhim vrajamy aham
tvam bhakta-vatsalo brahman
guru-deva namo 'stu te
Duryodhana said: Please describe the paddhati of Lord Balarama, reciting which I may attain perfection. O brahmana, you are affectionate to the devotees. O gurudeva, I bow down before you.
Text 4
sri-pradvipaka uvaca
rama-margasya niyamam
srinu parthiva-sattama
yena prasanno bhavati
balabhadro maha-prabhuh
Sri Pradvipaka Muni said: O best of kings, please hear the regulative principles of the path to Lord Balarama. When one follows these principles Lord Balarama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, becomes pleased with him.
Text 5
sahasra-vadano devo
bhagavan bhuvanesvarah
na danair na ca tirthais ca
bhaktya labhyas tv ananyaya
Lord Balarama, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the worlds, and who is also thousand-headed Lord Ananta, is not attained by giving charity or going on pilgrimage. He is attained only by devotional service.
Text 6
sat-sangam etyasu sikshed
bhaktim vai sri-harer guroh
sa siddhah kathito jatam
yasya vai prema-lakshanam
By associating with the devotees, one quickly learns the truth of devotion to Lord Krishna and to one's guru. A person who learns this is said to have attained perfection. He has attained love for Lord Krishna.
Text 7
brahme muhurte cotthaya
rama-krishneti ca bruvan
natva gurum bhuvam caiva
tato bhumyam padam nyaset
One should rise at brahma-muhurta, chant the holy names of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama, and bow down before one's guru. Only then should one place his feet on the ground.
Text 8
vary upasparsya rahasi
sthito bhutva kusasane
hastav utsanga adhaya
sva-nasagra-nirikshanah
In a secluded place one should touch water, sit on a kusa-grass mat, place his hands on his lap, and gaze at the tip of his nose.
Text 9
dhyayet param harim devam
balabhadram sanatanam
gauram nilambaram hy adyam
vana-mala-vibhushitam
Then one should meditate on Lord Balarama, the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose compelxion is fair, and who is dressed in blue garments and decorated with a forest garland.
Text 10-11
evam dhyana-paro nityam
prity-artham halinah prabhoh
tri-kala-sandhya-kric chuddho
mauni krodha-vivarjitah
akami gata-lobhas ca
nirmohah satya-vag bhavet
dvi-varam jala-panarthi
eka-bhukto jitendriyah
Pure, silent, free from anger, lust, greed, and illusion, speaking truthfully, controlling the senses, drinking water twice in a day and eating only once, to please Lord Balarama one should thus meditate on Him at sunrise, noon, and sunset.
Text 12
kshaumambaro bhumi-sayi
bhutva payasa-bhojanah
evam nirjita-shad-vargo
bhaved ekagra-manasah
Wearing simple cotton clothing, sleeping on the ground, and fasting from all but milk, one may conquer the six material tendencies and meditate with single-pointed concentration.
Text 13
tasya prasanno bhavati
sada sankarshano harih
paripurnatamah sakshat
sarva-karana-karanah
With such a person Lord Balarama, the perfect and complete Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, becomes pleased.
Text 14
ittham sri-balabhadrasya
kathita paddhatir maya
kauravendra maha-baho
kim bhuyah srotum icchasi
O mighty-armed Kaurava king, now I have described to you the paddhati of Lord Balarama. What more do you wish to hear.
Text 15
duryodhana uvaca
munindra deva-devasya
patalam bruhi me prabhoh
yena sevam karisyami
tat-padambujayoh sada
Duryodhana said: O king of sages, O master of the demigods, please describe to me the patala of Lord Balarama, following which I will always serve Lord Balarama's lotus feet.
Text 16
sri-pradvipaka uvaca
balasya patalam guhyam
viddhi siddhi-pradayakam
ekante brahmana dattam
naradaya mahatmane
Sri Pradvipaka Muni said: Now please understand Lord Balarama's patala, which brings perfection, and which the demigod Brahma gave to Narada Muni.
Text 17
pranavam purvam uddhritya
kama-bijam tatah param
kalindi-bhedana-padam
sankarshanam atah param
First, speak the syllable Om. Then, speak the Kama-bija syllable (klim). Then recite the names Kalindi-bhedana (the breaker of the Yamuna) and Sankarshana.
Text 18
caturthyam tam dvayam kritva
svaham pascad vidhaya ca
mantra-rajam imam rajan
brahmoktam shodasaksharam
After speaking these two names, then recite the word svaha. O king, this sixteen-syllable king of mantras was spoken by the demigod Brahma.
Note: The mantra then is Om klim kalindi-bhedanaya sankarshanaya svaha.
Text 19
japel laksham vrati bhutva
sahasrani ca shodasa
ihamutra param siddhim
samprapnoti na samsayah
Following this vow one should chant this mantra 116,000 times. Thus one will attain the supreme perfection in this life and the next. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 20-21
atha japtasya mantrasya
maha-pujam samacaret
dvatrimsat-patra-samyuktam
karnika-kesarojjvalam
bhavyam kanjam panca-varnam
likhitva sthandile subhe
tasyopari nyased rajan
hema-simhasanam subham
tasmin sri-baladevasya
param arcam prapujayet
Then the person who has chanted the mantra this number of times should perform the great worship of Lord Balarama. On auspicious ground he should draw a thirty-two petal lotus of five colors and with a splendid whorl. O king, he should place there a beautiful golden throne, and on that throne He should place Lord Balarama. Then he should perform the great worship of Lord Balarama.
Text 22
om namo bhagavate purushottamaya vasudevaya sankarshanaya sahasra-vadanaya mahanantaya svaha. anena mantrena sikha-bandhanam kritva sarvatas tam pranamya tat-sammukho bhutva svayam nato bhavet. om jaya jayananta balabhadra kama-pala talanka kalindi-bhanjana aviravirbhuya mama sammukho bhaveti. anena mantrenavahanam kuryat. om namas te 'stu sira-pane hala-musala-dhara rauhineya nilambara rama revati-ramana namo 'stu te. anena mantrenasana-padyarghya-snana-madhuparka-dhupa-dipa- yajnopavita-naivedya-vastra-bhushana-gandha-pushpakshata- pushpanjali-nirajanadin upacaran prakalpayet. om vishnave madhusudanaya vamanaya trivikramaya sridharaya hrishikesaya padmanabhaya damodaraya sankarshanaya vasudevaya pradyumnayaniruddhayadhokshajaya purushottamaya sri-krishnaya namah. iti pada-gulpha-januru-katy-udara-parsva-prishthi-bhuja- kandhara-netra-siramsi prithak prithak pujayamiti mantrena sarvanga-pujam kuryat. atha sankha-cakra-gada-padmasi-dhanur-bana-hala-musala-kaustubha-vanamala- srivatsa-pitambara-nilambara-vamsi-vetra-garudanka-talanka-ratha-daruka-sumati-kumuda- kumudaksha-sridamadin pranava-purvena caturthyam tena namah samyuktena nama-mantrena prithak prithak sampujya. tatha vishvaksena-vedavyasa-durga-vinayaka-dikpala-grahadin kamale sarvatah sve sve sthane sampujayet. punah parisamuhanadi-sthali-paka-vidhanena vaisvanaram sampujya purvoktena mula-mantrena panca-vimsati-sahasrany ahutir juhuyat. tathashtau sahasrani dvadasaksharena tathashtau sahasrani catur-vyuha-mantrenahutir juhuyat. tato 'gnim prada kshini-kritya namaskrityacaryam maharha-vastra-suvarnabharana-tamra- patra-savatsa-go-suvarna-dakshinabhih sampujya tatha brahmanan bhojanadyaih sampujya nagara-janebhyo bhojanam dattvacaryan pranamet. ittham balasya patalanusarena yo 'nusmarati ihamutra siddhi-samriddhibhih samvrito bhavati. sri-rama-patalam guhyam maya te hy anuvarnitam. sarva-siddhi-pradam rajan kim bhuyah srotum icchasi.
Chanting the mantra "om namo bhagavate purushottamaya vasudevaya sankarshanaya sahasra-vadanaya mahanantaya svaha" (Obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sankarshana, who is thousand-headed Lord Ananta, and who is the son of Vasudeva), one should tie his sikha. Then one should bow down before the deity and in all directions.
Then, chanting the mantra "om jaya jayananta balabhadra kama-pala talanka kalindi-bhanjana aviravirbhuya mama sammukho bhava" (Om. O Lord Balarama, O Lord Ananta, O fulfiller of desires, O Lord who carries a palm-tree flag, O Lord who broke the Yamuna, all glories to You! O Lord, please appear before me.), one should request Lord Balarama to appear.
Then, chanting the mantra "om namas te 'stu sira-pane hala-musala-dhara rauhineya nilambara rama revati-ramana namo 'stu te" (O Lord who holds a plow in Your hand, O Lord who holds a plow and club, O son of Rohini, O Lord dressed in blue garments, O Balarama, O husband of Revati, obeisances to You!), one should offer a throne, padya, arghya, bath, madhuparka, incense, lamp, sacred thread, food, garments, ornaments, fragrant flowers, unbroken grains of rice, handsful of flowers, arati, and other services.
Then, chanting the mantra, "om vishnave madhusudanaya vamanaya trivikramaya sridharaya hrishikesaya padmanabhaya damodaraya sankarshanaya vasudevaya pradyumna- yaniruddhayadhokshajaya purushottamaya sri-krishnaya namah. (Om. Obeisances to Lord Vishnu, the killer of Madhu, the Lord who is the Vamana incarnation, the Lord who covered the universe in three steps, the Lord who maintains the goddess of fortune, the master of the senses, the Lord whose navel is a lotus flower, the Lord whose waist was bound by a rope, the Lord who was carried from Devaki's womb, the Lord who is the son of Vasudeva, the Lord who is Pradyumna, the Lord who is Aniruddha, the Lord who is beyond the material senses, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is all-attractive Sri Krishna!) and also the mantra "pada-gulpha-januru-katy-udara-parsva-prishthi-bhuja-kandhara-netra-siramsi prithak prithak pujayami" (I worship the Lord's feet, ankles, knees, thighs, hips, belly, sides, back, arms, shoulders, eyes, and head.), one should worship all the limbs of Lord Balarama.
Then, chanting the word namah before each one, and putting each word in the dative case, one should worship Lord Balarama's conchshell (with the mantra sankhaya namah), disc (cakraya namah), club (gadayai namah), lotus (padmaya namah), sword (asaye namah), bow (dhanushe namah), arrows (banebhyah namah), plow (halaya namah), club (musalaya namah), Kaustubha jewel (kaustubhaya namah), forest garland (vanamalayai namah), Srivatsa mark (srivatsaya namah), yellow garments (pitambaraya namah), blue garments (nilambaraya namah), flute (vamsyai namah), stick (vetraya namah), chariot marked with the flag of Garuda (garudanka-rathaya namah), chariot marked with the flag of a palm tree (talanka-rathaya namah), and His associates Daruka (darukaya namah), Sumati (sumataye namah), Kumuda (kumudaya namah), Kumudaksha (kumudakshaya namah), and Sridama (sridamaya namah).
Then one should place Vishvaksena, Vedavyasa, Durga, Ganesa, the planets, and the protectors of the directions in their respective places in the lotus and then one should worship them. Then, sprinkling water and offering food cooked in an earthen pot, one should worship the sacred fire.
Then, chanting the previously described mula-mantra (om klim kalindi-bhedanaya sankarshanaya svaha) one should offer 25,000 oblations. Then, chanting the twelve-syllable mantra (om namo bhagavate vasudevaya), one should offer 8,000 oblations. Then, chanting the catur-vyuha mantra (om namo bhagavate tubhyam vasudevaya sakshine, pradyumnayaniruddhaya namah sankarshanaya ca), one should again offer 8,000 oblations.
Then one should circumambulate the sacred fire, bow down before the guru, worship him with dakshina of valuable garments, gold ornaments, copper vessels, cows with their newborn calves, and much gold, worship the brahmanas by offering them food and gifts, feed the people of the city, and bow down before the gurus. Meditating on Lord Balarama by following this paddhati, one attains perfection in this life and the next. In this way I have described to you Lord Balarama's confidential paddhati, which gives all perfection. O king, what more do you wish to hear?
This chapter relates how Lord Balarama went to Gokula, enjoyed the company of the cowherd girls and dragged the Yamuna River.
One day Lord Balarama went to Gokula to see His relatives and friends. When He arrived there, the elder gopis and Lord Krsna's parents, Nanda and Yasoda, who had all been in great anxiety for a long time, embraced Him and blessed Him. Lord Balarama offered appropriate respects and greetings to each of His worshipable elders according to age, friendship and family relation. After Gokula's residents and Lord Balarama had inquired about each other's welfare, the Lord rested from His journey.
In a short while the young gopis came to Lord Balarama and questioned Him about Krsna's well-being. They asked, "Does Krsna still remember His parents and friends, and will He be coming to Gokula to visit them? For Krsna's sake we gave up everything-even our fathers, mothers and other relatives-but now He has abandoned us. How could we help but put our faith in Krsna's words after seeing His sweetly smiling face and thus being overwhelmed by the urges of Cupid? Still, if Krsna can spend His days in separation from us, why can't we tolerate separation from Him? So there is no reason to keep talking about Him." In this manner the gopis remembered Sri Krsna's charming talks, enchanting glances, playful gestures and loving embraces, and as a result they began to cry. Lord Balarama consoled them by conveying the attractive messages Krsna had given Him for them.
Lord Balarama stayed in Gokula for two months, sporting with the gopis in the groves on the Yamuna's shore. The demigods who witnessed these pastimes played kettledrums in the heavens and showered down flower petals, while the celestial sages recited Balarama's glories.
One day Lord Balarama became intoxicated by drinking some varuni liquor and began wandering about the forest in the company of the gopis. He called out to the Yamuna, "Come near so I and the gopis can enjoy sporting in your waters." But the Yamuna ignored His command. Lord Balarama then started to pull the Yamuna with the end of His plow, splitting her into hundreds of tributaries. Trembling out of fright, the goddess Yamuna appeared, fell down at Lord Balarama's feet and prayed for forgiveness. The Lord let her go and then entered her waters with His girlfriends to sport for some time. When they rose from the water, the goddess Kanti presented Lord Balarama with beautiful ornaments, clothing and garlands. Even today the Yamuna River flows through the many channels cut by Lord Baladeva's plow, the signs of His having subdued her.
While Lord Balarama played, His mind became enchanted by the gopis' pastimes. Thus the many nights He spent in their company seemed to Him like a single night.
Lord Balarama
A Thousand Names of Lord Balarama
Lord Balarama The Seed and the Womb of the Universe
“Sri Baladeva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. He is equal in supremacy to the Supreme Godhead, yet wherever Krsna appears, Sri Baladeva appears as Krsna’s brother, sometimes elder, sometimes younger”(SB 10.1.24p). “In His vaibhava-prakasa feature, Lord Krsna manifests Himself as Balarama. The Balarama feature is as good as Krsna Himself, the Only difference being that the bodily hue of Krsna is dark and that of Balarama is fair” (TLC Chap.7). ‘These two Lords, Krsna and Balarama, are each the seed and womb of the universe, the creator and His creative Potency. They enter the hearts of living being and control their Conditioned awareness. They are the primeval Supreme’ (SB10.46.31v.).
“Powerful Lord Balarama is Sixteen years old, full of the luster of youth and has a fair complexion the colour of crystal. Balarama wears blue garments and a garland of forest flowers. Baladeva’s handsome hair is tied in a graceful topknot. Splendid earrings adorn Balarama’s ears. Sri Baladeva’s neck is splendidly decorated with garlands of flowers and strings of jewels. Splendid bracelets and armlets ornament Douji’s graceful and very strong arms. Balarama’s feet are decorated with splendid jewelled anklets. Sri Baladeva is Sri Krsna’s dearest friend. Baladeva is a great reservoir of the nectar mellows of many kinds of transcendental pastimes” (RKG).
“Lord Balarama’s beauty is enhanced by the earrings touching His cheeks. Balarama’s face is decorated with tilaka made from musk, and Balarama’s broad chest is ornamented with a garland of gunja (small, red, black and white berries native to Vrindavana). Sri Baladeva’s complexion is as white as an autumn cloud, and He wears blue garments. Balarama’s voice is very grave and His arms are very long, touching His thighs” (NOD Chap. 4).
Balarama is the servitor Godhead who serves Lord Krsna in all affair of existence and knowledge. The transcendental abode exists by the energy of Lord Balarama. Krsna’s first expansion in a form for pastimes is Balarama. Balarama Himself helps in the pastimes of Lord Krsna and He does the work of creation in four other forms. In all forms Balarama tastes the transcendental bliss of serving Krsna” (CC Adi 4.8-11v.).
“If we develop consciousness of this fact, then we are in actual Krsna consciousness. We should always remember that Krsna is the only Supreme Master and that everyone else is His servant ekale isvarah krsna, ara saba bhrtya. Either Narayana or Lord Siva, everyone is subordinate to Krsna. Even Baladeva is subordinate to Krsna’ (SB 10.13.53p.). “1n the transcendental pastimes, Krsna is the chief hero, and Balarama provides additional help.” (SB 10.8. 27p.).
Lord Balarama is constantly serving Lord Krsna in every respect. In all of Krsna’s incarnations and pastimes Lord Balarama is always present serving Krsna in different forms and manifestations. In Rama-lila, Balarama serves Lord Ramacandra as His younger brother, Laxman. In Kali-yuga, Sri Balarama spreads the Sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya as Lord Nityananda. Lord Balarama serves Sri Krsna in all the five rasas (mellows), from santa to madhurya rasa.
In santa rasa Lord Balarama fulfils Sri Krsna’s desires for blissful transcendental pastimes by expanding Himself as the holy dhama of Vraja Mandala. All of Krsna’s personal Possessions such as Krsna’s crown, bed, clothes, throne, ornaments; and any other object that Krsna utilises are all expansions of Lord Balarama.
As Krsna’s cowherd friend and elder brother in sakhya rasa, Sri Balarama sometimes accepts service from Krsna 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 or vatsalya rasa, Sri Balarama sometimes protects Krsna as a parent or chastises Him as the elder brother. “Once Lord Balarama told Subala, ‘My dear friend, please inform Krsna not to go to Kaliya lake today. Today is Krsna’s birthday, and so I wish to go along with Mother Yasoda to bathe Him. Tell Krsna He should not leave the house today! This shows how Balarama, Krsna’s elder brother, took care of Krsna with parental love, within the scope of fraternal affection” (NOD Chap. 42).
“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, Krsna, still, out of love for Him, Balarama never leaves Krsna alone in the forest even for a moment. I offer my prayers to Lord Balarama, the enemy of Dhenukasura” (WS)
Lord Balarama can expand Himself into unlimited and different forms. In order to serve Sri Krsna’s intimate conjugal pastimes in madhurya rasa, Lord Balarama expands Himself as Ananga Manjari. Ananga manjari wears beautiful clothing the colour of a blue lotus flower and She is especially dear to Lalita and Visakha.

Sri Balarama Chants Sri Krsna’s GloriesOne time at Krsna- kunda in Madhuvana, Lord found the gopis suffering from intense pangs of separation from their beloved Krsna. To alleviate their distress Lord Balarama described the wonderful pastimes and glories of Krsna, and chanted Krsna’s transcendental names. Balarama became so absorbed in chanting that His complexion assumed Krsna’s blue color. (SVMP).
Lord Balarama journeyed from Dvaraka to Vrindavana to console Sri Krsna’s beloved girlfriends by delivering a confidential letter from Sri Krsna. Filled with pure love for the gopis, Sri Krsna’s charming message deeply touched their hearts.
After delivering Krsna’s message, Lord Balarama stayed in Vrindavana for two months enjoying conjugal pleasures with His own gopis. Together they performed rasa lila along the sandy banks of the Yamuna river. “Lord Balarama was enchanted by the charming pastimes of the beautiful young ladies of Vraja. Thus each night was a completely new experience and all the nights passed as if they were a single night” (SB lO.65.34p.).
According to Srila Jiva Gosvami and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur, Lord Balarama has His own group of gopis, completely different from the cowherd girlfriends of Sri Krsna. Lord Balarama respects Lord Krsna’s gopis, and is very careful to avoid mixing with them.
“If while walking on Govardhana Hill, Krsna’s elder brother Balarama, sees a series of golden stones, He thinks: ‘The daughter of King Vrsabhanu (Radharani) must have just walked before Me,’ and Balarama changes course to avoid an awkward situation. In the same way, if Radharani sees a series of crystal stones, She thinks: ‘Balarama must have just now walked before Me,’ and Radharani then changes Her course” (VRC).
Sleepiness In Ecstatic Love“Once Lord Baladeva began to talk in His sleep as follows: ‘O lotus-eyed Krsna, Your childhood adventures are manifest simply according to Your own will. Therefore, please immediately dispose of the stabborn pride of this Kaliya serpent. ‘ By saying this Lord Balarama astonished the assembly of the Yadus and made them laugh for some time. Then yawning so hard as to make ripples on His abdomen, Lord Balarama, the bearer of the plow, returned to His deep sleep. This is an instance of sleepiness in ecstatic love’ (NOD Chap.31).
“Lord Balarama is called “Douji” (the elder brother who protects and cares for the younger brother). After lifting Govardhana Hill Lord Krsna killed a succession of ferocious demons including Sankasura and Aristasura. Balarama hadn’t killed a demon for a long time, and He was concerned about Hi duty of protecting Krsna as His elder brother. Desiring to dress like Krsna, Lord Balarama once asked Krsna if He could wear His peacock feather and play Krsna’s flute for just one day. Krsna, who dearly loved His elder brother, agreed and personally gave His peacock feather and flute to Balarama.
“ Krsna and Balarama warmly embraced and then Balarama laughing happily, ran away playing gaily on Krsna’s flute. Mean-while, in Mathura, the wicked King Kamsa was about to send the horse demon, Keshi, to Vrindavana in order to kill Krsna. The Keshi demon asked King Kamsa, “How will I recognise Krsna?” Kamsa told him that it would be easy to tell, because Krsna would be the only person wearing a peacock feather and playing a flute.
“While Balaramji was fully enjoying His pastime of being Krsna for the day, the fierce horse demon, Keshi, stormed into Vrindavana. Seeing Balarama wearing a peacock feather in His crown and playing a flute, matching the description King Kamsa had given of Krsna, the Keshi demon roared up and gave Balarama a mighty kick that could have killed a full-grown elephant. This kick totally knocked the wind out of Balarama, and sent Him tumbling far away out of the demon’s sight. Thinking that he had killed Krsna, the Keshi demon galloped away. Balaramji, picking Himself up, began to cry. Balarama’s chest still hurting from the demon’s kick and He was short of breath. Balarama was hungry, very tired and sore all over from tumbling so far.
“Reaching home, Balarama immediately went to Krsna and returned His flute and peacock feather. Balarama told Krsna that He never again wanted to wear them, and that a huge horse demon had just violently kicked Him; thinking He was Krsna. Then Balaramji met His mother Rohini and fell asleep in her arms.
“Krsna replaced the peacock feather in His crown, tucked the flute back in His belt and walked into the village. Then Sri Krsna met the horrible horse demon and effortlessly killed him” (SVMP).
“Srila Prabhupada writes, ‘Lord Balarama is the original Vishnu; therefore anyone remembering these pastimes of Lord Balarama in the morning and evening will certainly become a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus his life will become successful in all respects’ “(SB 10.79.34p.)
Entering Vraja Rasa“If anyone wants to attain the lotus feet of Sri-Sri Radha Krsna, and be able to taste and fully relish Their pastimes, one must first approach the lotus feet of Lord Balarama or Lord Nityananda. This is a mandatory prerequisite for only by receiving Their mercy can this realisation be possible.
“Because Lord Nityananda and Lord Balarama are non-different, the goswamis confirm that by getting Lord Nityananda’s mercy one becomes eligible to receive the ecstatic prema of Sri Radha and Krsna in Vraja. Lord Balarama and Lord Nityananda do not accept any offenses whatsoever and are so merciful that by simply worshipping Lord Nityananda one is automatically worshipping and pleasing Lord Balarama. It is described that Lord Nityananda and Lord Balarama are the friends of the most fallen and wretched.
Just as it is not possible to enter Lord Caitanya’s service without the mercy of Lord Nityananda, it is impossible to enter into Vraja rasa without the mercy of Lord Balarama, who is non-different from Lord Nityananda” (SVMP).
When he (the aspiring sadhaka) develops his love for Nityananda Prabhu, he is freed from all attachment to the material world, and at that time he becomes eligible to understand the Lord's pastimes in Vrndavana. (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 7.17 purport)
“'This land of Vrndavana is glorified today because Your (Balarama's) lotus feet have touched her earth and grass, Your fingernails have touched her trees and creepers, and Your merciful eyes have glanced upon her rivers, hills, birds and beasts.” (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 21.141)
When Balarama embraced His brother in a playful mood of ecstasy, Krsna looked like a blue jewel held within a conchshell. Seeing the mixture of Their brilliant effulgences, Yasoda could not tell Them apart. (Kavi-karnapura, Ananda-vrndavana-campu, Ch. 5 page 49)
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balarama