Lord Balarama teaches us how to always serve Krishna

If we study the pastimes of Balarama, we will find that he always teaches us how to continuously serve Krishna.

Before Krishna appeared Balarama appeared. Why? Because Balarama first made the womb of Mother Devaki suitable for Krishna to appear. Balaram is the first expansion of Krishna, who always serves Krishna.

He is the adi guru, the first guru. Without Balarama’s mercy getting Krishna is impossible. Those who tried failed miserably. There was a gorilla named Dvivida Gorilla. He was on the side of Lord Rama’s army and played an important role in defeating Ravana’s army. But the gorilla had one drawback. He had great respect for Lord Rama but not for Lakshman.

Rama is Krishna and Lakshman is Balarama. Since the gorilla did not have faith in Lakshman, he fell down. He got into the company of those who were inimical to the Supreme Lord and committed many sins. And in Krishna lila, Balarama finally punished him by killing him.

Just imagine what a glorious past he had as he was part of Lord Rama’s army but because he disrespected Lakshman, he met a terrible fate.

In Treta yuga, he appears as Lakshman, in Dvapara Yuga as Balarama and in Kaliyuga as Nityananda.

Balarama, the original spiritual master

Lord Balarama directs the suffering souls to the lotus feet of Krishna. He teaches us how to worship Krishna and take his shelter forever.

Just think about it that today millions of devotees are chanting the names of Krishna all over the world, worshipping him in deity form, celebrating different festivals. But who gave this knowledge to all? It was Srila Prabhupada, the spiritual master of the whole world.

If Prabhupada had not given us this knowledge then like most of the materialists we would also have been watching TV, movies, cricket matches and would be obsessed with improving our material life.

But today we know the real purpose of life, which is to serve Krishna, love Krishna and live for Krishna.

This knowledge as how to serve Krishna, the Supreme Lord, is directly coming from Balarama. The mrindangas, the kartals, the ornaments, the dress, all which are used in the service of Krishna, are expansions of Balarama. As Lakshman, he was constantly serving Rama, as Balarama, he was always serving Krishna and as Nityananda, he was always serving Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 

We learn from him that we should always be engaged in serving Krishna as per his directions. And how to know what he wants from us comes to us through our guru, the spiritual master. The spiritual master who comes into our life is representative of Balarama.

Srila Prabhupada is a representative of Balarama, and our guru is also representative of Balarama. We should be eternally indebted to Balarama, the original spiritual master, the adi guru, who gives us bala

Appearance day of Balarama celebrated at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata

Today, is Balarama Jayanti, also known as Balarama Purnima. Devotees all over the world are celebrating the appearance day of Balarama today. Just after one week, Krishna is going to appear, and we will be celebrating Janmashtami.

Today at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata, Balarama Jayanti was celebrated in an auspicious way. Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, who are none other than Krishna and Balarama were gorgeously dressed. Scores of devotees were flocking to the temple to take their darshan.

As today is also Raksha Bandhan, so many devotees were also bringing rakhi and were offering it to Nityananda Prabhu. Morning Srimad Bhagavatam class was given by HG Sri Nitai Prabhu and HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu. Pushpanjali was at 12 noon. During Pushpanjali, devotees chanted pranama mantra of Balarama and offered flowers to him. After Pushpanjali, there was arati, followed by delicious prasadam. 

Sweet rice was being distributed to everyone who were coming to the temple today.

On this auspicious day, let us pray at the lotus feet of Lord Balarama, to give us strength (bala), so that we can sincerely practice devotion to Krishna. Let us also pray to him to always give us shelter at his lotus feet. We all want Krishna, if this is true, then we should take shelter of Balarama who always teaches us how to serve Krishna.

Three Reflections

• Balaram is the first expansion of Krishna, who always serves Krishna.
• In Treta yuga, he appears as Lakshman, in Dvapara Yuga as Balarama and in Kaliyuga as Nityananda.
• On this auspicious day, let us pray at the lotus feet of Lord Balarama, to give us strength (bala), so that we can sincerely practice devotion to Krishna.

Ask Yourself

• Have I offered prayer to Lord Balarama?

Action Item

• If not, then write a prayer to Lord Balarama in at least 300 words.