Balaram Jayanthi

namas te halagrahanamas te musalayudhanamas te revati-kantanamas te bhakta-vatsala
namas te dharani-dharanamas te balanam sresthapralambare namas te ‘stuehi mam krsna-purvaja

Whenever the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna chooses to appear, He ensures that all His close associates arrive well before (or with) Him. To harmonize this effect, just before His advent as Sri Krsna, He transferred an unborn baby from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini (using His Yogamaya).This child was named as Rama by Garga Muni. At that time itself it was predicted, that in due course of time,He will be called Balarama – ‘Bala’ signifying His invincible physical strength.

He is the direct and foremost expansion of Sri Krsna. From Him, emerge the further expansions that assist the Supreme Lord in controlling His varied activities across universes. He always accompanies Lord in every incarnation. For instance, as Lakshmana, Lord Nityananda, Balabhadra, Sheshnaag to name a few. He is the original and unparalleled spiritual master. To the one, seeking to serve Sri Krsna, Lord Balarama’s gracious mercy can alleviate the spiritual progress.

Earlier, Balarama had not killed any demon for a long time, while Sri Krsna had already slayed many ferocious demons. So, Balarama was concerned about His duty of protecting Krsna as His elder brother. This shows His caring nature, serving attitude and loving concern for Sri Krsna – which we all must sincerely meditate upon, absorb well, and attempt to live with – to have a Krsna Conscious filled life.