Lessons from killing of Pralambasura

Today we are celebrating appearance of Balaramji

Its most imp event bcoz without properly understanding the mercy of Lord Balaram
its most difficult to properly follow the path of Bhakti

In SB it is described the marriage of Vasudeva and Devaki amd Kamsa Himself

volunteered to drive the chariot

Kamsa was a powerful king but out of love for his sister he was ready to become
charioter which is a humble position of menial servant.

But as soon as he found that Devaki’s 8th child will kill him he was ready to
ruthlessly kill his sister very next moment.

Vasudeva tried to philosophically convince Kamsa with various logics and arguments
but when he was in no mood to listen , Vasudeva promised to give all the children to
Kamsa

If you really want to attract attention of the Supreme Lord you have to live by your
words and actions and Vasudeva was emblem of honesty and integrity

Appearance of Balaramji

Kamsa imprisoned Vasudeva and Devaki and in that prison 6 children were born.
Kamsa killed each one of them brutally right before their eyes which are compared to
be ‘sadrapus’ (6 anarthas which needs to be destroyed before we welcome Guru and
Krishna into our hearts)

The seventh child was a divine incarnation and very first expansion of Supreme Lord
known as Sankarshan appeared in the womb of Devaki to make all the arrangements
for Krishna’s appearance.

At that time Lord Narayan invoked Yogamaya potency to transfer the child from
Devaki to Rohini (another wife of Vasudeva who was living in Gokul along with
Nanda and Yashoda under the protection of Brijvasis)

So this child was transferred to Devaki’s womb and on the full moon night of Sravana
maas this beautiful child was born who later known as Sri Balaramji

Who is Balaram ?
When we speak of Vishnutattva, Balaram’s presence is most imp.
Narsimhadeva and Sesha, Rama and Laxman, Gaura & Nitai
heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krishna paite nai
dridha kori’ dharo nitair pay
Krishna is adipurush the original person (Krishnas tu Bhagvan svayam)
When Krishna in Goloka wants to enjoy transcendental leela, first He expands
Himself through Vaibhav Prakash as Baladeva
vaibhava-prakāśa kṛṣṇera — śrī-balarāma
varṇa-mātra-bheda, saba — kṛṣṇera samāna
Baladeva is the Adi das original servitor of Godhead. He is Krishna Himself who
manifests to serve Krishna in the spiritual world.

All the Chaturvyuh comes from Balaramji (Vasudeva, ……)

All the Gurus comes from Him , He is Adi Guru (The Original Spiritual Master)

Śrī Balarāma and Kṛṣṇ a have different bodily colors, but otherwise Śrī
Balarāma is equal to Kṛṣṇ a in all respects.

Balaramji takes part in all the 5 rasas intimately with Krishna

Shanta Rasa – Baladeva expands Himself to create Goloka V (land, rivers,

mountains, cows, clothes, flutes, ornaments, crown, dhoti, bed everything is
expansion of Balaramji)
He always assist Krishna in His transcendental pastimes by decorating His body, His
devotees , His dham in every possible way

Dasya Rasa - Baladeva expands Himself as menial servant to assist in Krishna.

(01. Bhangura 02. Brngara 03. Sandhika 04. Grahila 05. Raktaka etc…
These servants carry Krishna's venu and murali flutes, buffalo-horn bugle, stick, rope
and other paraphernalia.)

Sakhya Rasa – Friends of Krishna , they play together, fight together, argue together,
dance , sleep, in order to please Krishna
The names of the twelve most important cowherd boys are Sridama, Sudama,
Vasudama, Subala, Mahabala, Subahu, Mahabahu, Stokakrsna, Dama, Arjuna,
Lavanga, and Kusumasava.

Vatsalya Rasa – Elder brother of Krishna as well as all the elderly Gopas of Gokul &
Vrindavana are expansions of Balaramji

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Madhurya Rasa – Anang Manjari Younger sister of RadhaRani, also known as
Anuradha as well as all brother of Radharani in the form of Subala are expansions of
Balaramji

What Is The Significance Of Balaram's Name?

His name comes from two Sanskrit words,

Bala, meaning “Strength”, “Stamina”, “power” and
Rama, meaning “beloved”, “Pleasing”, “Charming”.
The word rama is defined beautifully in Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita.

ramante yogino ’nante

satyānande cid-ātmani
iti rāma-padenāsau
paraṁ brahmābhidhīyate
He is also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra, Haladhara, Halayudha. Balaram is
also known as the “Farmer God” and “The God of Agriculture”.

Balarāma represents plowing the land for agriculture and therefore always
carries in His hand a plow, whereas Kṛṣṇa tends cows and therefore carries a
flute in His hand. Thus two brothers represent kṛṣi-rakṣya and go-rakṣya

[Srimad Bhagavatam 10.5.20 Purport]

Killing of Pralambasura
Pralambasura is a very very terrible demon who has come to kill Krishna and
Balaram in Vrindavan.
Just like if you cut the leaf of the tree, tree remains intact but if you destroy the
roots everything is finished. Similarly demons like Pralamba always wanted to
kill Krishna and Balarama so that all Brijavasis will die in pain out of separation

He took note that one particular cowherd boy who would come out with Krishna
everyday was kept at home by his mother that day because he had some duties
to perform.
Pralambasura disguised himself identical to that innocent little gopa friend of
Krishna. But Krishna knew within his heart that this was a demon that has come
to kill us.
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Krishna planned to play the game of hide and seek in order to kill
Pralambasura

So they played nice game and Balaram’s team was

victorious. Pralambasura took side with Krishna. So he lost. And Krishna had
to carry Sridama on his shoulders. And Bhadrasena carried vilasi on his
shoulder. And Pralambasura chose to carry Balaram ji on his shoulders.

Pralambasura put Balaram ji on his shoulder and he started to run and run and
run. And Balaram ji was thinking where my friend is taking me so far away. He
has already crossed the border of where we are supposed to go.

(Today’s verse) continuation 28-32

So Balaram ji became very heavy like Mount Sumeru. And Pralambasura

assumed his original form of gigantic size.
He looked like a gigantic cloud, his ornaments were like lightning
and Balaram on his shoulder was like the full moon.

Balaram got angry with him and He said “You are taking me; you are
separating me from the playful games of Krishna and the gopas”. One
punch Balaram with his fist on his head and Pralambasura, this gigantic
mountainous demons head just split open. He fell to the ground dead. Shri
Baladeva ki jai!

(Video)

Overcoming Pralambasura mentality

Bhaktivinoda Thakur explains there are two demons

in Vrindavan that Balaram killed, Dhenukasura & Pralambasura.
Pralambasura represents the inclination to enjoy the opposite sex and
profit, adoration and distinction both gross and subtle. And Thakur
Bhaktivinod explains that these two anarthas have to be overcome by the
endeavor of the devotee under the guidance and instruction of the spiritual
master the devotee must endeavor with all sincerity. It’s not just grace. The
grace of Balaram through guru tatva will come to exterminate these demons
forever providing we really really struggle and endeavor to give up the
propensity for profit, adoration, distinction and gross sense gratification.

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Thus endeavor praying to guru and Krishna and chanting the holy names
we can become blessed by the causeless mercy of the Lord.

Balaram Pranam Mantra

Q&A

What Is The Relation Of Balaram With Srimati RadhaRani? Younger sister and
brother is Balaram
Tomorrow’s announcement