Balaram, Vishnu’s eighth incarnation

Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, is considered as one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. It is collectively confirmed by Vaishnavism, South Asian Hindu traditions, and Bhagwat Purana.

When the tyranny of asura Kamsa, the ruler of Mathura increased beyond control, Gods, including Indra requested Vishnu to slay him.

In response to their woes, Lord Indra plucked two of his hair strands and promised the Gods that these two will take human form to kill Kamsa.

Birth of Balarama

Balarama (the white hair) and Krishna (the black hair), were implanted as foetuses in mother Devaki’s womb. Balarama was the seventh unborn child who housed Devaki's womb.

It is said that Lord Vishnu practiced Yoga Maya and transferred the unborn child to the womb of one of the other wives of Vasudev, Rohini. Devaki then got pregnant with Krishna.

 Rohini lived in Nanda Maharaja's house in Gokul, and Krishna, upon birth was transported to Gokul, fearing the wrath of Kansa. Both Krishna and Balarama grew up together as cowherds in Gokul. They were inseparable since childhood.

Sixteen-year-old Balarama

A sixteen-year-old Balarama looked so full of youth. He was fair-skinned, donned blue garments, floral jewellery made from garlands, tied his black hair in a graceful bun.

He wore a tilak on his forehead and his earrings hanged till shoulders, adding more to his charm. He carried Hala (plough) and Gada (mace) to fight the wicked.

Mahabharata, Harivamsha, and Bhagwat Puran along with several other Puranas wrote stories of Balarama's valour.

Balaram's glory

While wandering in forests with younger brother Krishna, Balarama learned about a powerful demon called Dhenukasura.

He along with his friends occupied the territory of Talavera, one of the luscious green forests of Vrindavan.

The demons used to consume the forest produce and once they satiated, they would destroy fruit-bearing trees and forest gardens.

Balarama, along with his cowherd friends, entered the forest and decided to kill Dhenukasura. He shook the fruit-bearing trees and called out for the demon, interesting him in a fight.

Dhenukasura didn't take the intrusion of an outsider very well and made a sudden attack at Balarama's legs.

It was a matter of seconds that Balarama caught sense of the situation, and picked Dhenuka by his legs, and started tossing and twirling him in the air.

Dhenukasura died and forest dwellers rejoiced, for now they could consume the fruits of their hard work. Free of the wicked, even trees bowed down to Krishna and Balarama in happiness.

Fighting the evil

When Balram and Krishna were still kids, they were encountered by various demons sent by Kamsa to kill them.

One of the fine spring days, Krishna and Balarama were absorbed in sports along with their friends in their backyard decorated with flowers when Prapamba entered the group wearing a disguise of one of the cowherd boys.

The sharp eyes of Balarama and Krishna did not fall for the pretence and they recognized his true self in mere seconds. They still treated him as a friend.

Well aware of the strength and glory of Krishna, Prapambha tried abducting Balarama. As per the rules of the game, the team which loses carried the winning team on its shoulders.

Prapamba, as the member of the losing team made Balarama hop on his shoulders, and ran away with him. Realizing the intention, Balarama made himself heavier and heavier.

 At one point, it became impossible for the demon to carry him away in the disguised form and he returned to his original form. Prapamba now looked like a huge, dark, effulgent cloud, wearing ornaments carved out of gold.

 Balarama then brought his fist down the head of the demon splitting it into two halves making him lose his life.

When Balarama almost dragged Hastinapur into the Ganges

Once, Samba, the son of Krishna and Jambavati kidnapped Duryodhana's daughter from her swayamvar. Infuriated by this action, Kauravas arrested Samba by using their greatest fighters.

This action of Duryodhana filled Yadavas with rage and they decided to attack Duryodhana. However, Lord Balrama asked them to calm down and think of a peaceful solution so that no precious lives are lost.

 Balarama requested Kauravas to release Samba. Kauravas not only denied the return of Samba but also insulted the Yadav dynasty.

 To teach Kauravas a lesson, Balarama, with his immense strength, started dragging Hastinapur into the Ganges. Frightened Kauravas then begged for his mercy.

They immediately released Samba and had their daughter married to him and send her off happily.

Balarama ties knot with princess Revati

There lived a king Raivata, who had a daughter named Revati. Revati was so excellent in all the traits that her father was not able to find a suitable match for her.

 Worrying about finding a suitable groom for his daughter, Raivata consulted Brahma. Brahma asked him to seek Balarama's hand for his daughter as he felt Balarama was more than qualified for her.

 King Raivata, upon returning to Earth approached Balarama and asked him to accept his daughter as his wife, Balarama obliged and got married to Revati.

Balarama during Mahabharta

Balarama was attached to both Kauravas and Pandavas. Duryodhana and Bhima, both were his disciples.

When the war was declared between Kauravas and Pandavas, he refused to be on either side. He went on pilgrimage to holy places instead. He was angry when he learned that one of his favourite disciplines, Bhima, killed another, Duryodhana, with foul play.

Being an elder brother, his love and gratitude towards Krishna was unparalleled.

From building a materialistic world, to continuing learning the importance of the spiritual one, he did everything to please Krishna.

He remained a loyal companion to his younger brother, no matter the situation In Treta Yuga, he was believed to be born as Lakshman to king Dasharatha.