The Transcendental Pastimes of God's Plow
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies the deep spiritual significance of the weapons carried by the plenary expansions of the Supreme Lord. Through the descriptions of Lord Balarāma's pastimes, Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates how the divine plow is used both as a symbol of agricultural civilization and as an infallible weapon to execute absolute justice.
The Symbol of Spiritual Agriculture
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the internal arrangement of the cosmic order includes specific roles for the personalities of the Godhead. While Śrī Kṛṣṇa takes pleasure in tending the cows (go-rakṣya), Lord Balarāma holds the plow to establish the vital importance of human reliance on land cultivation (kṛṣi-rakṣya) and bovine protection.
- Balarama represents plowing the land for agriculture and therefore always carries in His hand a plow, whereas Krsna tends cows and therefore carries a flute in His hand. Thus the two brothers represent krsi-raksya and go-raksya.
- Farm development is Krsna and Balarama. Krsna is tending cows, and Balarama is plowing.
- He pleases His personal associates, the heads of the demigods, by the sweet vibrations emanating from His mouth. Dressed in bluish garments and wearing a single earring, He holds a plow on His back with His two beautiful and well-constructed hands.
- Jayadeva Gosvami sung as follows: "He (Krsna) has annihilated all the dynasties of the ksatriyas in the form of Parasurama. He has killed all the demons in the form of Lord Rama. He has accepted the great plow in the form of Balarama."
Chastising the Disobedient Yamunā
Universal elements must always remain subordinate to the supreme will of the Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes a famous līlā where Lord Balarāma called for the river Yamunā, and when she proudly ignored His call, He prepared to drag her using His transcendental plow, carving her into hundreds of small streams.
- Balarama said to Yamuna, "You wretched river! You didn't care for My order. Now I shall teach you a lesson! You didn't come to Me voluntarily. Now with the help of My plow I shall force you to come. I shall divide you into hundreds of scattered streams."
- He (Balarama) immediately wanted to scratch the land near the river with His plowshare (because Yamuna neglected His order).
- It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.65.25-30, 33) that Lord Baladeva asked the Yamuna to come near, and when the river disobeyed the order of the Lord, He became angry and thus wanted to snatch her near to Him with His plow.
- The river Yamuna still has many small branches due to being scratched by the plowshare of Lord Balarama.
Subjugating Demons and Cities
The physical prowess of the primary expansion of Godhead is unlimited and cannot be checked by any material shield. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that when the Kuru dynasty insulted the devotees, or when powerful mystical demons attacked, Lord Balarāma effortlessly pulled down the entire city of Hastināpura and dragged His enemies to destruction.
- As soon as He (Balarama) saw the demon, Lord Balarama prepared to attack him. He first considered how He could smash the great demon to pieces. Lord Balarama then called for His plow and club, and they immediately appeared before Him.
- He (Balarama) stood up steadily and, taking His plow in His hand, began striking the earth with it, separating the whole city of Hastinapura from the earth, and then He began to drag the city toward the flowing water of the river Ganges.
- Lord Balarama has two weapons, a plow and a club, from which He takes service when they are required.
- The demon Balvala was flying in the sky, and at the first opportunity Lord Balarama dragged him down with His plow and angrily smashed the demon's head with His club.
The Supreme Will in Pastimes
The actions of Lord Balarāma are entirely absolute, meaning that His weapons manifest instantly whenever His internal desire dictates. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that whether fighting Jarāsandha or descending in the current age as Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, the bearer of the plow remains the ultimate protector of spiritual principles.
- At that time Baladeva took up His plow weapon and gazed upon Jarasandha with colored eyes.
- Since the gorilla was striking Him with his hands, Lord Balarama would not strike him back with His own weapons, the club or the plow. Simply with His fists He struck the collarbone of the gorilla.
- The Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (11-16) declares that although Sri Nityananda Prabhu appeared as Lord Caitanya’s assistant, He is none other than Baladeva, the carrier of the plow. Advaita Acarya is the incarnation of Sadasiva from the spiritual world.
- Yawning so hard as to make ripples on His abdomen, Lord Baladeva, the bearer of the plow, returned to His deep sleep. This is an instance of sleepiness in ecstatic love.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda completely clarifies that the plow of Lord Balarāma represents both the external socio-economic framework of a proper human civilization and the internal power of the viṣṇu-tattva authority. By holding the plow, Lord Balarāma emphasizes that a perfect society must prioritize agricultural development alongside cow protection, discarding the artificial stress of industrialization. Simultaneously, His wonderful pastimes show that this weapon is a direct extension of His supreme strength, capable of shifting cities, reshaping rivers, and pulling down sky-bound demons. When the material world defaults on its obedience to the Supreme Lord, the carrier of the plow intervenes with absolute authority to rectify the discrepancy. Ultimately, by surrendering to Lord Balarāma, the living entity is protected by this very plow, which clears the heart of material desires and prepares it for pure devotional service.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category God's Plow. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.