10 Interesting Facts about Balarama: The God of Agriculture
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Lord Krishna and Lord Rama are the most loved avatars of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu (one of the trinity of Hinduism) is considered to be inseparable from his wife, Mahalakshmi and the King of Serpents, SheshNag. Hence, it is believed that whenever Lord Vishnu took birth on Earth (10 times), he was accompanied by both his wife and Shesh Nag every single time. One of the avatars of SheshNag is known to be Balarama. Want to explore the interesting personality of Lord Balarama and his life on Earth? If yes, we have made a list of the 10 Interesting Facts about Balarama – The God of Agriculture. Have a look!
10 Facts about Balarama You Must Know
Balarama Was Lakshmana in Treta Yug
According to mythology, Lord Rama and his younger brother, Lakshmana were born to King Dashrath in the Treta Yug. Lord Rama was none other than the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmana was the avatar of SheshNag who’s also Balrama.
It is believed that once Lakshmana chortled that he had to take all orders because he was younger than Rama. Intrigued, Rama blessed him that he would be the elder one the next time. Hence, during the Dwapar Yug when Lord Vishnu was supposed to take birth as Krishna, SheshNag took birth first and became the elder brother of Krishna, Balarama.
Balarama Was the Guru of Duryodhan, one of the Kaurava Brothers
Mahabharata is all about the epic war between the Kauravas and Pandavas. Whilst Sri Krishna was a friend of Pandavas and he participated in the war as the Sarthi of Arjuna (one of the Pandavas), Balarama refused to participate in the war. That was because Duryodhana was his favorite pupil but he loved his brother more.
Balarama didn’t want to lift a weapon against Krishna. Hence, he refused participation in the war of Kurukshetra and left for a monastery instead.
Balarama Was the Guru of Bhim, one of the Pandava Brothers
Balarama had trained both Duryodhana and Bhim in Gada Yudh. Just like Duryodhana, Bhim too had approached Balarama to fight the war from the side of Pandavas. And just like he had refused participation from the side of Kauravas, he refused to fight for the Pandavas too.
Balarama was Addicted to Wine
Lord Balarama was known to have immense strength. Yet, he has, time and again, been depicted as a wine addict. His love for alcohol was an open fact during the Dwapar Yug.
Balarama Changed Womb Before his Birth
It is believed that Kans (the maternal uncle of Krishna) had arrested his sister, Devaki, and her husband Vasudeva since there had been an akashvani (prediction by the Gods) that the 8th Son of Devaki would king Kans and end his reign of terror. Hence, Kans started killing all the children of Devaki.
The 7th Son in Devaki’s womb was Balarama. Right before his birth, before Kans could kill him, he was transferred into the womb of Rohini (the first wife of Vasudeva). That’s how Lord Vishnu saved his life before he was even born.
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Balarama Married Revati, a Woman Centuries Older than Him
Kakudmi was a powerful king. He had a beautiful daughter, Revati. He wasn’t pleased by the skills of any man to take his daughter as wife. Worried that she might never find a suitable groom, he took his daughter to Brahmalok. While he waited for Lord Brahma to suggest who was worthy of Revati, 4 Yugas passed on Earth. The father and daughter were devastated at the knowledge. Seeing their plight, Lord Brahma suggested that Lord Balarama was worthy of being the husband of Revati.
Kakudmi and Revati found Balarama but Revati was much taller than Balarama. Hence, Balarama touched her with his Gada (his weapon of fight). Revati reduced in size and Balarama then married her.
Balarama Killed the Brother of Krishna’s Wife, Rukmini
Lord Sri Krishna had eloped with Rukmini (incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi) and married her because her brother, Rukmi had agreed to marry Rukmini to another King. It led to a war between Krishna and Rukmi. Krishna won but later the two, Rukmi and Krishna became friends.
However, once Rukmi and Balarama were playing a dice game and Rukmi cheated and defeated Balarama. It angered Balarama so much that he killed Rukmi.
Balarama Had Promised the Marriage of his Sister to Duryodhana
Subhadra was Balrama’s and Krishna’s sister. Balarama had promised her hand to his favorite pupil, Duryodhana. However, Subhadra fell in love with Arjuna. Hence, Krishna helped them elope and got them married. It angered Balarama since he had given his word to Duryodhana. However, his love for Krishna made him forgive Arjuna for stealing away his sister.
Balarama Tried to Punish River Yamuna by Making Her Go Extinct
According to legends, once Balarama visited Gokul Dham. He was resting in a forest with Gopis all around. Some say that Balarama was intoxicated with wine, some others say he was bewitched and captivated by the love of Gopis for his brother, Krishna. Either way, Balarama was intoxicated.
When he tried to take bath in the waters of Yamuna, the river arrogantly disappeared citing that Balarama was intoxicated. After repeated requests that Balarama just wanted to take a dip, the river refused to allow him to use her waters. It made Balarama so upset that he used his plough to drag the water of Yamuna and end the river’s existence. Feared and alarmed by the strength he had, Yamuna finally apologized for her behavior and Balarama forgave her in the end.
No One Killed Balarama
When the Yadava clan started killing each other after the war of Mahabharata due to the curse of Gandhari, Balarama was taken over by misery. So, he entered a state of meditation. Soon, a snake emerged out of his body and the body became lifeless. The snake returned to Vaikuntha Dham (the place of Lord Vishnu’s rest). Vedas also suggest that Balarama gave up his life because SheshNag is always supposed to return to Vaikuntha before Lord Vishnu returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Balarama real brother of Krishna?
He’s the half-brother of Krishna. Whilst Vasudeva was the father of both, Krishna’s mother was Devaki, and Balarama’s mother was Rohini (the first wife of Vasudeva).
2. Who killed Lord Balarama?
Nobody killed Balarama. He went into a state of meditation after the war of Mahabharata ended and left his body to return to Vaikuntha.
3. Why did Balarama not fight in Mahabharata?
Duryodhana was Balarama’s favorite student, but Krishna was on the side of Pandavas. Balarama didn’t want to lift a weapon against his brother. Hence, he didn’t fight the war. Another reason was that Bhim (Pandava) and Duryodhana (Kaurava) both were his students. He didn’t want to take sides.
4. Is Lakshmana and Balarama the same?
Yes, both are the avatars of SheshNag. In treta yuga, SheshNag took birth as Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama (Lord Vishnu). In Dwapar Yug, he took birth as Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna (Lord Vishnu).
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