BALARAM PURNIMA 2013

APPEARANCE DAY OF
LORD BALARAM, 2013

www.indoamerican-news.com - Today, 21st August (Wednesday), is Balaram Purnima and it occurs eight days before Janmashtami, the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna. The Srimad Bhagavatam (10.1.24 ) states that, Being the origin of all incarnations within this material world, and previous to the appearance of Lord Krishna, this original Sankarsana will appear as Baladeva, just to please the Supreme Lord Krishna in His transcendental pastimes. He is also known as (among His other names) as: Sankarsana (because He was transported from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini); Ananta (the Infinite One); Baladeva (the Powerful One); Nityananda (the Eternally Blissful One); Lakshmana (the One with auspicious signs); and Ramanuja (younger brother of Lord Rama).

Lord Sri Balarama is one of the most magnificent expansions of the Supreme Lord Sri Hari. One thing to be noted is that the word “Bala” does not necessarily mean physical strength; in the context of the Lord Balarama it means spiritual strength. And, because “Rama” also means pleasure or bliss, Sri Balarama is also considered as the source of spiritual bliss. Their Lordships Krishna and Balarama were always inseparable and enjoyed some delightful pastimes together. Especially remarkable was the display of strength by Lord Balarama when He eliminated Dvivida, the monstrous gorilla who had the strength of 10,000 elephants. The preferred weapons of Lord Balarama were a club - Sunanda, and a plow, which is why He is also called Haladhara.

Today (Wednesday) we are celebrating "Balaram Purnima", the appearance of Lord Balaram as the son of Rohini and Vasudeva. The Lord Sri Balaramji is the first expansion of Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The other incarnations expand from Him. In Their transcendental pastimes in Vrindavan, Sri Balaram plays the role of the inseparable elder brother of Sri Krishna. Sri Balaram is Laxman, the younger brother of Sri Rama and  He is also Lord Ananta Sesa. In the Chaitanya Lila, Sri Krishna and Balaram appeared as Gauranga and Nityananda or GourNitay. Sri Balaram represents the spiritual strength and He is the original Guru or genuine spiritual master, responsible for the service of the Lord in many ways, and as Lord Nityananda, He is the master in charge of rescuing people from their fallen condition for the pleasure and service of the Supreme Lord. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Lord Balaram’s beauty is enhanced by the earrings touching His cheeks. His face is decorated with tilak made from kasturi (musk), and His broad chest is decorates with a garland of gunja. His complexion is as white as an autumn cloud. He wears garments of blue color and His voice is very grave. His arms are very long, touching His thighs, and He has shown great strength by killing the Pralamba demon. Let me take shelter of this chivalrous Balaram. Bala, (the source of all spiritual power), Ram, (by which one can attain the highest bliss of life, Ramana), is the original spiritual master, from Whom Guru comes. Nayam atma bala hinena labhya; one cannot attain the Supreme without the favor of Lord Balaram. Lord Balaram’s mood in relation to Krsna is that of friendship mixed with servitude and parental feeling.

Śrīmati Mahavegavati devi dasi :
“Lord Balaram”
VINA - Philosophical Articles
Posted: 21. July 2003
http://www.vnn.org/authors/mahavegavati.html
http://www.vina.cc/stories/PHILOSOPHICAL/2003/7/lord.balaram.html

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/