Balarāma Says - The Voice of the First Expansion
Lord Balarāma is the original spiritual master and the first plenary expansion of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, whenever He speaks, His words carry the ultimate spiritual authority. Through Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings and translations, we hear Balarāma's voice shift from ecstatic astonishment to terrifying anger, and from philosophical instruction to deep fraternal affection, always with the single purpose of serving and glorifying the Supreme Lord.
Astonishment at Kṛṣṇa's Mystic Power
Even Lord Balarāma, who is non-different from Kṛṣṇa, is sometimes captivated and astonished by Kṛṣṇa's internal potencies. During the pastime where Lord Brahmā kidnapped the cowherd boys and calves, Kṛṣṇa seamlessly expanded Himself to replace them. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights Balarāma's deep inquiry into this mystery, showcasing His realization of Kṛṣṇa's supreme, all-pervading nature.
- Balarama said to Krsna, You Yourself are playing as the calves and cows and boys. What is the mystery of this situation? Where have those other calves and cows and boys gone? And why are You expanding Yourself as the cows, calves and boys? Will You kindly tell Me.
- Baladeva felt astonished and said, "How wonderful it is that my ecstatic love for Krsna is again being attracted to so many cowherd boys, calves and cows!" He was struck with wonder by thinking in this way.
- Lord Balarama said, My dear Krsna, in the beginning I thought that all these cows, calves and cowherd boys were either great sages and saintly persons or demigods, but at the present it appears that they are actually Your expansions. They are all You.
- Lord Baladeva said, "O supreme controller (Krsna)! These boys are not great demigods, as previously thought. Nor are these calves great sages like Narada. Now I can see that You alone are manifesting Yourself in all varieties of difference" - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.39.
Righteous Anger and Chastisement
Lord Balarāma wields a plow and a club, and His words can be just as devastating as His weapons. When the arrogant members of the Kuru dynasty insulted the Yadu family, considering them subservient, Balarāma's response was volcanic. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes how Balarāma expertly dismantled their false pride, reminding them that Kṛṣṇa is worshipped by the highest demigods in the universe.
- Balarama said, "How regrettable it is that these fools (Kurus) consider us, the members of the Yadu dynasty, to be like shoes and themselves like helmets."
- Balarama said, "Does this mean that even Lord Krsna, the Lord of the whole creation and the husband of the goddess of fortune, cannot use this royal paraphernalia? The dust of Krsna's lotus feet is worshiped by all the great demigods."
- Balarama said, "Great demigods like Lord Brahma, Siva and even the goddess of fortune and I are simply plenary parts of His spiritual identity, and still you (Kurus) think that He is not fit to use the royal insignia or even sit on the royal throne."
- Balarama said, "On this very day I shall rid the whole world of any trace of the Kuru dynasty. I shall finish them off immediately."
The Voice of Peacemaking and Wisdom
Despite His immense power and capacity for anger, Balarāma often speaks as a voice of neutrality and profound wisdom. Whether stepping between two great warriors like Bhīmasena and Duryodhana to stop their fighting, or offering philosophical solace to family members regarding the strict laws of karma, Balarāma's words always seek to establish dharma and pacify agitated minds.
- Lord Balarama, wanting to stop the fighting, said, "My dear King Duryodhana and Bhimasena, I know that both of you are great fighters and are well known in the world as heroes, but still I think that Bhimasena is superior to Duryodhana in bodily strength."
- Balarama said, "Under the circumstances, there is very little chance that one of you will be defeated by the other. Therefore I request you not to waste your time fighting in this way. I wish you to stop this unnecessary fight."
- To pacify Rukmini, Lord Balarama said to her, "You should not be sorry that your brother (Rukmi) has been made odd-looking. Everyone suffers or enjoys the results of his own actions."
- Balarama continued, "The living entity, or spirit soul, being in contact with these, is transmigrating from one body to another due to illusory enjoyment, and that transmigration is known as material existence."
Fraternal Affection and Protection
The core of Lord Balarāma's existence is His deep, unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this love often manifests as a protective, almost parental affection. Balarāma is constantly concerned for Kṛṣṇa's well-being, advising Him, protecting Him, and advocating for mercy on behalf of their relatives, beautifully illustrating the sweetness of their fraternal relationship.
- Balarama said, "Tell Him He should not leave the house today." This shows how Balarama, Krsna's elder brother, took care of Krsna with parental love, within the scope of fraternal affection.
- Lord Balarama again turned toward Krsna and said, "My dear Krsna, a relative, even though he commits such a blunder and deserves to be killed, should be excused."
- Balarama said, "Whatever Rukmi might have been, he is now Our brother-in-law, a relative of Our family, and You (Krsna) should not have put him in such a condition."
- Because of Their (Balarama and Krsna) feeling affection for Nanda and Yasoda, Lord Krsna and Balarama became choked up, and for a few seconds They could not speak.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the words of Lord Balarāma are a perfect reflection of His position as the original servitor Godhead. Whether He is dismantling the false ego of the Kuru dynasty with fiery rhetoric, expressing astonishment at Kṛṣṇa's mystic expansions, mediating worldly conflicts, or displaying tender affection for His younger brother, Balarāma's speech always serves to establish the absolute supremacy of Kṛṣṇa. Hearing the words of Lord Balarāma is essential for any devotee seeking to understand the deep, multifaceted nature of transcendental loving service.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Balarama Says. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.