A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.211

c5.211

BALA-RĀMA. (Bala-bhadra and Bala-deva are other forms of this name.) The elder brother of Krishna. When Krishna is regarded as a full manifestation of Vishnu, Bala-rāma is recognised as the seventh Avatāra or incarnation in his place. According to this view, which is the favourite one of the Vaishnavas, Krishna is a full divinity and Bala-rāma an incarnation; but the story of their birth, as told in the Mahā-bhārata, places them more upon an equality. It says that Vishnu took two hairs, a white and a black one, and that these became Bala-rāma and Krishna, the children of Devakī. Bala-rāma was of fair complexion, Krishna was very dark. As soon as Bala-rāma was born, he was carried away to Gokula to preserve his life from the tyrant Kansa, and he was there nurtured by Nanda as a child of Rohinī. He and Krishna grew up together, and he took part in many of Krishna's boyish freaks and adventures. His earliest exploit was the killing of the great Asura Dhenuka, who had the form of an ass. This demon attacked him, but Bala-rāma seized his assailant, whirled him round by his legs till he was dead, and cast his carcase into a tree. Another Asura attempted to carry off Bala-rāma on his shoulders, but the boy beat out the demon's brains with his fists. When Krishna went to Mathurā, Bala-rāma accompanied him, and manfully supported him till Kansa was killed. Once, when Bala-rāma was intoxicated, he called upon the Yamunā river to come to him, that he might bathe; but his command not being heeded, he plunged his ploughshare into the river, and dragged the waters whithersoever he went, until they were obliged to assume a human form and beseech his forgiveness. This action gained for him the title Yamunā-bhid and Kālindī-karshana, breaker or dragger of the Yamunā. He killed Rukmin in a gambling brawl. When Sāmba, son of Krishna, was detained as a prisoner at Hastināpur by Dur-yodhana, Bala-rāma demanded his release, and, being refused, he thrust his ploughshare under the ramparts of the city, and drew them towards him, thus compelling the Kauravas to give up their prisoner. Lastly, he killed the great ape Dwivida, who had stolen his weapons and derided him.