Today is the Appearance Day of Lord Balarama.

(Picture courtesy of harekrsna.com)

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Caitanya-caritāmṛta
Adi 1.5.10
srsty-adika se va,--tanra ajnara palana
`sesa'-rupe kare krsnera vividha sevana

sṛṣṭi-ādika sevā — service in the matter of creation; tāṅra — His; ājñāra — of the order; pālana — execution; śeṣa-rūpe — the form of Lord Śeṣa; kare — does; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; vividha sevana — varieties of service.

TRANSLATION

He [Lord Balarama] executes the orders of Lord Krsna in the work of creation, and in the form of Lord Sesa He serves Krsna in various ways.

PURPORT

According to expert opinion, Balarama, as the chief of the original quadruple forms, is also the original Sankarsana. Balarama, the first expansion of Krsna, expands Himself in five forms: (1) Maha-San karsana, (2) Karanabdhisayi, (3) Garbhodakasayi, (4) Ksirodakasayi, and (5) Sesa. These five plenary portions are responsible for both the spiritual and material cosmic manifestations. In these five forms Lord Balarama assists Lord Krsna in His activities. The first four of these forms are responsible for the cosmic manifestations, whereas Sesa is responsible for personal service to the Lord. Sesa is called Ananta, or unlimited, because He assists the Personality of Godhead in His unlimited expansions by performing an unlimited variety of services. Sri Balarama is the servitor Godhead who serves Lord Krsna in all affairs of existence and knowledge. Lord Nityananda Prabhu, who is the same servitor Godhead, Balarama, performs the same service to Lord Gauranga by constant association.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Caitanya Caritamrita
Adi 1.1.68
dui-rupe haya bhaga vanera prakasa
eke ta' prakasa haya, are ta' viiasa

dui-rupe — in two forms; haya — are; bhagavanera — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prakasa — manifestations; eke — in one; ta’ — certainly; prakasa — manifestation; haya — is; are — in the other; ta’ — certainly; vilasa — engaged in pastimes.

TRANSLATION

The Personality of Godhead exhibits Himself in two kinds of forms: prakasa and vilasa.


PURPORT

The Supreme Lord expands His personal forms in two primary categories. The prakasa forms are manifested by Lord Krsna for His pastimes, and their features are exactly like His. When Lord Krsna married sixteen thousand queens in Dvaraka, He did so in sixteen thousand prakasa expansions. Similarly, during the rasa dance He expanded Himself in identical prakasa forms to dance beside each and every gopi simultaneously. When the Lord manifests His vilasa expansions, however, they are all somewhat different in their bodily features. Lord Balarama is the first vilasa expansion of Lord Krsna, and the four-handed Narayana forms in Vaikuntha expand from Balarama. There is no difference between the bodily forms of Sri Krsna and Balarama except that Their bodily colors are different. Similarly, Sri Narayana in Vaikuntha has four hands, whereas Krsna has only two. The expansions of the Lord who manifest such bodily differences are known as vilasa- vigrahas.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Caitanya Caritamrita
Adi 1.1.44
yadyapi āmāra guru — caitanyera dāsa
tathāpi jāniye āmi tāṅhāra prakāśa

yadyapi — even though; āmāra — my; guru — spiritual master; caitanyera — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dāsa — the servitor; tathāpi — still; jāniye — know; āmi — I; tāṅhāra — of the Lord; prakāśa — direct manifestation 

TRANSLATION

Although I know that my spiritual master is a servitor of Sri Caitanya, I know Him also as a plenary manifestation of the Lord.

JOURNAL:

Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport; Lord Nityananda, who is Balarama Himself, the first direct manifestation or expansion of Krsna, is the original spiritual master. He helps Lord Krsna in His pastimes, and He is a servant of the Lord.

Every living entity is eternally a servant of Sri Krsna Caitanya; therefore the spiritual master cannot be other than a servant of Lord Caitanya.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text Eleven
ittham kauravendra yaadavendrasya raamatah sarvaa vaasantikir nishaa vyatitaa babhuvuh. bhagavato balabhadrasya hastinaapuram iva viryam sucayativa hy adyaapi ca krishta-vartmanaa yamunaa vahati. imam raamasya raasa-kathaam yah shrinoti shraavayati ca sa sarva-paapa-patalam chittvaa tasya parasparam aananda-padam pratiyaati. kim bhuyah shrotum icchasi.

ittham-thus; kauravendra-O king of the Kauravas; yaadavendrasya-of the king of the Yaadavas; raamatah-from Lord Balaraama; sarvaa-all; vaasantikih-springtime; nishaa-night; vyatitaa-passed; babhuvuh.-became; bhagavatah-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; balabhadrasya-Lord Balaraama; hastinaapuram-to Hastinaapura; iva-like; viryam-power; sucayati-shows; iva-like; hy-indeed; adyaapi-even today; ca-and; krishta-vartmanaa-by the dragged path; yamunaa-the Yamunaa; vahati-flows; imam-this; raamasya-of Lord Balaraama; raasa-ofd the raasa dance; kathaam-the narration; yah-one who; shrinoti-hears; shraavayati-recounts; ca-and; sa-he; sarva-paapa-patalam-the entirety of a great host of sins; chittvaa-destroying; tasya-of him; parasparam-mutual; aananda-padam-the abode of bliss; pratiyaati-goes; kim-what?; bhuyah-more; shrotum-to hear; icchasi-do you wish.

TRANSLATION

O king of the Kauravas, in this way Lord Balaraama, the king of the Yaadavas, spent that springtime night with the gopis. Even today the Yamuna' flows in many divided streams at that place, a testimony to the great strength, equal to that of a host of elephants, of Lord Balaraama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A person who hears or recounts these pastimes of Lord Balaraama destroys the entirety of a great host of sins and attains transcendental bliss. What more do you wish to hear?"

[Thus ends Chapter Nine of the Garga Samhita also known as Shri Raama-raasa-kridaa (Lord Balaraama's Raasa Dance).]

JOURNAL:

My closest family connection is with my older brother. He is a great guy, well to do, with a quiet Christian attitude. He supports my lifestyle and sometimes helps financially.

Back on March 31 I read Srila Prabupada's purport on SB10.2.13 where he explains how Balarama is in the Maha-mantra (see post March 31, 2014).  I also read an article online (see post April 14) which said; Balarama, who has the same original form of Krsna, is Himself a cowherd boy in Vrndavana, and He also considers Himself to belong to the ksatriya race in Dvaraka. Thus His color and dress are different, and He is called a pastime form of Krsna. I found it odd that Krishna was the younger brother instead of the older. The fact was that I had never

considered Lord Balarama and his activities.

This thought led me to thoughts of all the love I have for my older brother so, I decided to make Krishna/Balarama a focus of my meditations with the hope that I might more fully understand this rasa that both Krishna and I enjoy. I went online and found a beautiful photo of the deities in Vrndavana and, for the last few months, I have been saying my japa in front of it.

Of course, there have been many benefits to saying  japa. Since adding the photo of Krishna/Balarama, one of the more noticeable benefits has been increased feelings of thankfulness and protection, stemming from a "brotherly" love.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text Ten
 ity evam yaacito balabhadro yamunaam tato vyamuncat punah karenubhih kariva gopibhir gopa-raad jale vijagaaha. punar jalaad vinirgatya tata-sthaaya balabhadraaya sahasaa yamunaa copaayanam nilaambaraani hema-ratna-maya-bhushanaani divyaani ca dadau ha vaava taani gopi-yuthaaya prithak prithak vibhajya svayam nilaambare vasitvaa kaancanim maalaam nava-ratna-mayim dhritvaa mahendro vaaranendra iva balabhadro vireje.

ity evam-thus; yaacitah-requested; balabhadrah-Lord Balaraama; yamunaam-the Yamunaa; tatah-then; vyamuncat-released; punah-again; karenubhih-with many female elephants; kari-a male elephant; iva-like; gopibhih-with the gopis; gopa-raad-the king of gopas; jale-in the water; vijagaaha.-enjoyed pastimes; punah-again; jalaat-from the water; vinirgatya-emerging; tata-sthaaya-staying on the shore; balabhadraaya-to Lord Balaraama; sahasaa-quickly; yamunaa-the Yamunaa; ca-and; upaayanam-approach; nilaambaraani-blue garments; hema-ratna-maya-bhushanaani-ornaments of gold and jewels; divyaani-splendid; ca-and; dadau-gave; ha-indeed; vaava-went; taani-them; gopi-yuthaaya-to the gopis; prithak prithak-each one; vibhajya-dividing; svayam-personally; nilaambare-the blue garments; vasitvaa-dressing; kaancanim-gold; maalaam-necklace; nava-ratna-mayim-made of nine jewels; dhritvaa-taking; mahendrah-Indra; vaaranendra-the king of elephants; iva-like; balabhadrah-Lord Balaraama; vireje-shone.

TRANSLATION

Begged in this way, Lord Balaraama released the Yamunaa. Then He enjoyed in the Yamunaa's waters, as an elephant enjoys with its many wives. When He returned to the shore the Yamuna' approached and gave Him gifts of many blue garments and many ornaments of gold and jewels. Lord Balaraama divided the gifts among the girls, giving some to each gopi. Then He dressed in one of the blue garments and decorated Himself with a necklace of gold and nine kinds of jewels. Then He enjoyed with the gopis as the king of elephants enjoys with its many wives.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 9
raama raama sankarshana balabhadra mahaa-baaho tava param vikramam na jaane. yasyaikasmin murdhni sarshapavat sarvam bhu-khanda-mandalam- drishyate. tasya tava param anubhaavam ajaanantim prapannaam maam moktum yogyo 'si. tvam bhakta-vatsalo 'si.

raama raama-Raama Raama; sankarshana-Sankarshana; balabhadra-Balabhadra; mahaa-baahah-O mighty-armed; tava-of You; param-great; vikramam-power; na-not; jaane.-know; yasya-of whom; ekasmin-in one; murdhni-head; sarshapavat-like a mustard seed; sarvam-entire; bhu-khanda-mandalam-earth; drishyate.-is seed; tasya-of Him; tava-of Yoiu; param-great; anubhaavam-power; ajaanantim-not knowing; prapannaam-surrenedered; maam-to me; moktum-to realso; yogyah-is appropriate; asi-You are; tvam-You; bhakta-vatsalah-the lover of Your devotees; asi-are. 

TRANSLATION

"Raama! Raama! Sankarshana! Balabhadra! O mighty-armed one! I did not know Your great power. The entire earth is seen resting like a single tiny mustard-seed on one of Your many heads. It is proper for You to release Me, who have now surrendered to You and who did not know Your true glories. You should release me because You are always affectionate to Your devotees.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 8
adya maam avajnaaya nayasi mayaahutaapi musalena tvam kaama-caarinim shatadhaa neshya eva nirbhartsitaa sa bhuri-bhitaa yamunaa cakitaa tat-paadayoh patitovaaca.

adya-today; maam-Me; avajnaaya-disrespecting; nayasi-you go; mayaa-by Me; aahuta-called; api-even thoguh; musalena-with the club; tvaam-you; kaama-caarinim-going as you like; shatadhaa-into a hundred streams; neshye-I will lead; eva-indeed; nirbhartsitaa-rebuked; sa-she; bhuri-bhitaa'very afraid; yamunaa-the Yamunaa; cakitaa-frightened; tat-paadayoh-at His feet; patitaa-fallen; uvaaca-spoke.

Translation

"Today you have no respect for Me. Even though I call, you ignore My order and go your own way as you wish. Now I will divide you into a hundred tiny streams." Rebuked with these words and now very afraid, the Yamuna' came before Lord Balaraama, fell at His feet, and said:

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 7
atha ha vaava kaalindi-kula-kaantaara-paryatana-vihaara-parishramodyat-sveda-bindu-vyaapta-mukhaaravindah snaanaartham jala-kridaartham yamunaam duraat sa aajuhaava. tatas tt anaagatam tatinim halaagrena kupito vicakarsha iti hovaaca ca.
atha-then; ha-indeed; vaava-blew; kaalindi-kula-kaantaara-paryatana-wandering on the Yamunaa's shore; vihaara-from pastimes; parishrama-from fatigue; udyat-manifesting; sveda-bindu-drops of perspiration; vyaapta-covered; mukhaaravindah-lotus face; snaanaartham-to bathe; jala-water; kridaa-pastimes; artham-for the purpose; yamunaam-the Yamunaa; duraat-from afare; sa-He; aajuhaava.-called; tatah-then; tv-indeed; anaagatam-not come; tatinim-the shore; hala-of His plow; agrena-with the tip; kupitah-angered; vicakarsha-dragged; iti-thus; ha-indeed; uvaaca-spoke; ca-also.

Translation

His lotus face covered with perspiration born from the fatigue of wandering along the Yamunaa's shore and enjoying many pastimes, Lord Balaraama called for the Yamuna' to come to Him so He could bathe and enjoy water-pastimes. When the Yamuna' did not come, Lord Balaraama became angry and began to drag it to Him, scratching its shore with the tip of His plow. Lord Balaraama said:

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 6
atha varuna-preshitaa vaaruni devi pushpa-bhara-gandhi-lobhi-milinda-naadita-vriksha-kotarebhyah patanti sarvato vanam- surabhi-cakaara. tat-paana-mada-vihvalah kamala-vishaala-taamraaksho makaradhvaajaavesha-calad-dhuryaanga-bhango vihaara-kheda-prasvedaambu-kanair galad-ganda-sthala-patra-bhango gajendra-gatir gajendra-shundaadanda-sama-dordanda-mandito gajibhir gaja-raajendra ivonmattah simhaasane nyasta-halo musala-paanih kotindu-purna-mandala-sankaashah prodgamad-ratna-manjira-pracala-nupura-prakvanat-kanaka-kinkinibhih kankana-sphurat-taatanka-purata-haara-shri-kanthaanguliya-shiromanibhih pravidambini-krita-sarpini-shyaama-veni-kuntala-lalita-ganda-sthala-patraavalibhih sundaribhir bhagavaan bhuvaneshvaro vibhraajamaano viraraaja atha ca reme.

atha-then; varuna-by Varuna; preshitaa-sent; vaaruni-Varu.ni; devi-goddess; pushpa-bhara-gandhi-lobhi-made greedy by the scent of the flowers; milinda-of bees; naadita-sounded; vriksha-of the trees; kotarebhyah-from the hollows; patanti-fall; sarvatah-everywheer; vanam-the forest; surabhi-fragrant; cakaara-made; tat-paana-mada-vihvalah-eager to drink it; kamala-vishaala-taamraakshah-His eyes large red lotus flowers; makaradhvaaja-of Kaamadeva; aavesha-from the entrance; calat-moving; dhuryaanga-bhangah-great limbs; vihaara-kheda-exhausted from pastimes; prasvedaambu-kanaih-with drops of perspiration; galad-ganda-sthala-patra-bhangah-trickling down His cheeks; gajendra-of the king of elephants; gatih-walking; gajendra-shundaadanda-sama-dordanda-manditah-decorated with arms like elephants' trunks; gajibhih-with female elephants; gaja-raajendra-the king of the kings of the kings of elephants; iva-like; unmattah-intoxicated; simhaasane-on a throne; nyasta-halah-weakened; musala-paanih-cluâ in hand; kotindu-purna-mandala-sankaashah-spleid like millions of moons; prodgamad-ratna-manjira-pracala-nupura-prakvanat-kanaka-kinkinibhih-with tinkling anklets and ornaments; kankana-bracelets; sphurat-glistening; taatanka-earrings; purata-golden; haara-necklace; shri-kantha-graceful neck; anguliya-rings; shiromanibhih-crest jewels; pravidambini-krita-mocking; sarpini-snake girls; shyaama-black; veni-braids; kuntala-hair; lalita-graceful; ganda-sthala-cheeks; patraavalibhih-with pictures and decorations; sundaribhih-beautiful; bhagavaan-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhuvaneshvarah-the master of the worlds; vibhraajamaanah-shining; viraraaja-shone; atha-then; ca-and; reme-enjoyed.

Translation

Then, sent by the demigod Varuna, Goddess Varuni, in the form of honey oozing from the hollows of trees filled with the humming of bees made greedy by the sweet scent of the flowers, made the entire forest very fragrant. Eager to drink that honey, His eyes now red lotus flowers, His limbs weakened by enjoying amorous pastimes, perspiration born from the fatigue of His pastimes now streaming down His cheeks and washing away the pictures and designs drawn there, walking like an elephant king, decorated with mighty arms like the trunks of elephant kings, as if intoxicated, sitting on a throne, relinquishing His plow, His cluâ still in His hand, splendid like ten million full moons, His jewel anklets, bracelets, and other ornaments tinkling, His gold earrings, necklaces, finger-rings, and jewel crown glittering, and surrounded by beautiful gopis, their cheeks decorated with graceful pictures and designs and their black braids mocking the beautiful snake girls, Lord Balaraama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead the master of the worlds, shone with great splendor, and enjoyed transcendental pastimes.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 5
tatra kvanad-ghantikaa-nupurah sphuran-mani-maya-kataka-kati-sutra-keyura-haara-kirita-kundalayor upari kamala-patrair nilaambaro vimala-kamala-patraaksho yakshibhir yaksha-raad„ iva gopibhir gopa-raad„ raasa-mandale reje. 

tatra-there; kvanat-sounding; ghantikaa-bells; nupurah-anklets; sphuran-mani-maya-kataka-glittering gend bracelets with jewels; kati-sutra-belts; keyura-armlets; haara-necklaces; kirita-crowns; kundalayoh-and earrings; upari-above; kamala-patraih-with lotus petals; nilaambarah-blue garments; vimala-kamala-patraakshah-glistening lotus eyes; yakshibhih-with Yakshis; yaksha-raad-Kuvera; iva-like; gopibhih-with the gopis; gopa-raad-the king of the gopas; raasa-mandale-in the rasa-dance circle; reje-shone.

Translation

Decorated with tinkling ankle-bells, glittering gold and jewel necklace, armlets, belt, crown, and earrings, and with many lotus petals, dressed in blue garments, and His eyes like glittering lotus petals, Lord Balaraama was splendid with the gopis in the raasa-dance circle. He was like Kuvera surrounded by a host of beautiful yakshis.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 4
shitalaa manda-yaanaah kamala-makaranda-renu-vrinda-samvritaah sarvato vaayavah parivavuh kalinda-giri-nandini-cala-laharibhir aananda-daayini pulinam- vimalam- hy acitam- cakaara. tathaa ca kunja-praangana-nikunja-punjaih sphural-lalita-pallava-pushpa-paraagair mayura-kokila-pumskokila-kujitair madhupa-madhura-dhvanibhir vraja-bhumir vibhraajamaanaa babhuva. 

shitalaa-cool; manda-yaanaah-slowly moving; kamala-makaranda-renu-vrinda-samvritaah-filled with lotus pollen; sarvatah-everywhere; vaayavah-breezes; parivavuh-blew; kalinda-giri-nandini-cala-laharibhih-moving the Yamunaa's waves; aananda-daayini-delightful; pulinam-the shore; vimalam-splendid; hy-indeed; acitam-collected; cakaara.-did; tathaa-so; ca-and; kunja-praangana-nikunja-punjaih-with the forest goves and courtyards; sphural-lalita-pallava-playfully blossoming petals; pushpa-flowers; paraagaih-with pollen; mayura-peacocks; kokila-pumskokila-and cuckoos; kujitaih-cooing; madhupa-madhura-dhvanibhih-with the sweet hummingof bees; vraja-bhumih-the land of Vraja; vibhraajamaanaa-shining; babhuva-became.

Translation

Cooling, gentle, delightful, lotus-pollen filled breezes pushed the Yamunaa's waves and blew to the splendid shore. Then the land of Vraja became very splendid, its many forest groves and courtyards filled with the fragrant pollen of playfully and gracefully blossoming flowers, with the cooing of cuckoos and peacocks, and with the sweet humming of bees.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 3
atha ca yaa naaga-kanyaah purvoktaas taa gopa-kanyaa bhutvaa balabhadra-praapty-artham- gargaacaaryaad balabhadrapancaangam- grihitvaa tenaiva siddhaa babhuvuh. taabhir baladeva ekadaa prasannah kaalindi-kule raasa-mandalam- samaarebhe. tadaiva caitra-purnimaayaam- purna-candro 'runa-varnah sampurnam- vanam- ranjayan vireje.

atha-then; ca-and; ya-who; naaga-kanyaah-the snake girls; purvoktah-previously described; ta-they; gopa-kanyaa-gopis; bhutvaa-becoming; balabhadra-praapty-artham-to attain Lord Balaraama; gargaacaaryaat-from Garga Muni; balabhadra-of Lord Balaraama; pancaangam-the five methods of worship; grihitvaa-accepting; tena-by that; eva-indeed; siddha-perfect; babhuvuh-became; taabhih-with them; baladeva-Balaraama; ekadaa-one day; prasannah-happy; kaalindi-of the Yamunaa; kule-on the shore; raasa-mandalam-the rasa-dance circle; samaarebhe-attained; tadaa-then; eva-indeed; caitra-purnimaayaam-on the full moon of the month of Caitra; purna-full; candrah-moon; aruna-varnah-red; sampurnam-full; vanam-forest; ranjayan-making red; vireje-shone.

TRANSLATION

The previously described snake-girls became gopis and, in order to attain Lord Balaraama's association, on Garga Muni's advice followed the five methods of worshiping Lord Balaraama. In this way they became perfect. Pleased with them, Lord Balaraama enjoyed a raasa-dance with them on the full-moon night of the month of Caitra (March-April), a night when the red moon reddened the whole of Vrindaavana forest.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text Two
shri-praadvipaaka uvaaca ekadaa dvaarakaa-naagaraad dhi taalaankam ratham aasthaapya suraan didrikshuh param utkantho nanda-raaja-gokula-go-gopaala-gopi-gana-sankulah sankarshana aagatash cirotkanthaabhyaam nandaraaja-yashodaabhyaam parishvakto gopi-gopaala-gobhir militvaa tatra dvau masau vasantikau caavatsit.

shri-praadvipaaka uvaaca-Supreme Personality of Godhe; ekadaa-one day; dvaarakaa-naagaraat-from Dvaarakaa; hi-indeed; taalaankam-marked with the sign of the palm tree; ratham-chariot; aasthaapya-mounting; suraan-the demigods; didrikshuh-desiring to see; param-greatly; utkanthah-eager; nanda-raaja-gokula-in King Nanda's Gokula; go-gopaala-gopi-gana-the cows, gopas, and gopis; sankulah-agitated; sankarshana-Lord Balaraama; aagatash-came; cirotkanthaabhyaam-yearning for a long time; nandaraaja-yashodaabhyaam-by Yashoda' and King Nanda; parishvaktah-embraced; gopi-gopaala-gobhih-by the gopas and gopis; militvaa-meeting; tatra-there; dvau-two; masau-months; vasantikau-in spirngtime; ca-and; aavatsit-resided.

TRANSLATION

Shri Praadvipaaka Muni said: One day, eager to see His devotees, Lord Balaraama mounted His chariot bearing a palm-tree flag, left Dvaarakaa, and, yearning to see the gopas, gopis, and cows, went to Gokula. Yashoda' and King Nanda embraced Him when He arrived. Later He met with the gopas and gopis. He stayed there for two months.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Garga Samhita
Chapter Nine Text 1
duryodhana uvaaca muni-shaardula bhagavaan balabhadro naaga-kanyaabhir gopibhih kadaa kaalindi-kule vijahaara.

duryodhana uvaaca-Duryodhana said; muni-shaardula-O tiger of sages; bhagavaan-Lord; balabhadrah-Balaraama; naaga-snake; kanyaabhih-with the girls; gopibhih-with the gopis; kadaa-when?; kaalindi-kule'on the Yamunaa's shore; vijahaara-enjoyed pastimes.

TRANSLATION

Duryodhana said: O tiger of sages, when did Lord Balaraama enjoy the raasa dance on the Yamunaa's shore with gopis that had been snake-girls in their previous birth?

JOURNAL:

April 14th marks the auspicious remembrance day of Lord Balarama's springtime rasa dance with His cowherd girlfriends. It is also the day of Sri Krishna Vasanta Rasa, the Lord's springtime rasa lila pastime. Sri Krishna Vasanta rasa takes place on Vaisakha purnima, which is also the time Balarama performs His springtime rasa dance with the gopis.

"In order to keep the gopis in Vrndavana satisfied, Lord Balarama stayed there continually for two months, namely the months of Caitra and Vaisakha. For those two months he kept himself among the gopis and he passed every night with them in the forest of Vrndavana in order to satisfy their desire for conjugal love. Thus Balarama also enjoyed the rasa dance with the gopis during those two months." (Krsna Book II p.78) 

Balarama, who has the same original form of Krsna, is Himself a cowherd boy in Vrndavana, and He also considers Himself to belong to the ksatriya race in Dvaraka. Thus His color and dress are different, and He is called a pastime form of Krsna.
(from The Sampradaya Sun)

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.15.35
naitac citraḿ bhagavati
hy anante jagad-īśvare
ota-protam idaḿ yasmiḿs
tantuṣv ańga yathā paṭaḥ

na — not; etat — this; citram — surprising; bhagavati — for the Personality of Godhead; hi — indeed; anante — who is the unlimited; jagat-īśvare — the Lord of the the universe; ota-protam — spread out horizontally and vertically; idam — this universe; yasmin — upon whom; tantuṣu — upon its threads; ańga — my dear Parīkṣit; yathā — just as, paṭaḥ — a cloth.

TRANSLATION

My dear Parīkṣit, that Lord Balarāma killed Dhenukāsura is not such a wonderful thing, considering that He is the unlimited Personality of Godhead, the controller of the entire universe. Indeed, the entire cosmos rests upon Him just as a woven cloth rests upon its own horizontal and vertical threads.

JOURNAL:

Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport; In this connection Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that the Supreme Lord possesses unlimited potency and strength, as expressed here by the word anante.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.15.14
kvacit krīḍā-pariśrāntaḿ
gopotsańgopabarhaṇam
svayaḿ viśramayaty āryaḿ
pāda-saḿvāhanādibhiḥ

kvacit — sometimes; krīḍā — by playing; pariśrāntam — fatigued; gopa — of a cowherd boy; utsańga — the lap; upabarhaṇam — using as His pillow; svayam — personally; viśramayati — relieves Him from His fatigue; āryam — His elder brother; pāda-saḿvāhana-ādibhiḥ — by massaging His feet and offering other services.

TRANSLATION

When His elder brother, fatigued from playing, would lie down with His head upon the lap of a cowherd boy, Lord Kṛṣṇa would help Him relax by personally massaging His feet and offering other services.

SLOKA OF THE DAY:

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.2.13
garbha-sańkarṣaṇāt taḿ vai
prāhuḥ sańkarṣaṇaḿ bhuvi
rāmeti loka-ramaṇād
balabhadraḿ balocchrayāt

garbha-sańkarṣaṇāt — because He will be taken from the womb of Devakī to that of Rohiṇī; tam — Him (Rohiṇī-nandana, the son of Rohiṇī); vai — indeed; prāhuḥ — people will call; sańkarṣaṇam — by the name Sańkarṣaṇa; bhuvi — in the world; rāma iti — He will also be called Rāma; loka-ramaṇāt — because of His special mercy in enabling people in general to become devotees; balabhadram — He will also be called Balabhadra; bala-ucchrayāt — because of extensive bodily strength.

TRANSLATION

The son of Rohiṇī will also be celebrated as Sańkarṣaṇa because of being sent from the womb of Devakī to the womb of Rohiṇī. He will be called Rāma because of His ability to please all the inhabitants of Gokula, and He will be known as Balabhadra because of His extensive physical strength.

PURPORT

These are some of the reasons why Balarāma is known as Sańkarṣaṇa, Balarāma or sometimes Rāma. In the mahā-mantra — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare — people sometimes object when Rāma is accepted as Balarāma. But although devotees of Lord Rāma may object, they should know that there is no difference between Balarāma and Lord Rāma. Here Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam clearly states that Balarāma is also known as Rāma (rāmeti). Therefore, it is not artificial for us to speak of Lord Balarāma as Lord Rāma. Jayadeva Gosvāmī also speaks of three Rāmas: Paraśurāma, Raghupati Rāma and Balarāma. All of them are Rāmas.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK (from Krishna.com):

NECTOR OF DEVOTION
Chapter 29: Intoxication

When one becomes arrogant with false prestige due to drinking intoxicants or being too lustful, the voice becomes faulty, the eyes become swollen, and there are symptoms of redness on the body. There is a statement in the Lalita-mādhava that Lord Baladeva, intoxicated from drinking excessive quantities of honey, once began to address the ants, "O you kings of the ants! Why are you hiding yourselves in these holes?" At the same time He also addressed the King of heaven, "O King Indra! You plaything of Śacī! Why are you laughing? I am now prepared to smash the whole universe, and I know that Kṛṣṇa will not be angry with Me."* Then He addressed Kṛṣṇa, "My dear Kṛṣṇa, tell Me immediately why the whole world is trembling and why the moon has become elongated! And O you members of the Yadu dynasty, why are you laughing at Me? Please give Me back My liquors made of honey from the kadamba flower!" Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī prays that Lord Balarāma will be pleased with all of us while He is thus talking just like an intoxicated person.

In this state of intoxication, Balarāma felt tired and lay down for rest. Generally, those who are exalted personalities lie down when they feel intoxicated, whereas those who are mediocre laugh and sing during intoxication, and those who are lowly use vulgar language and sometimes cry. Such intoxication is manifested according to different ages and mentalities. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī does not describe further in this direction because there is no necessity for such a discussion.

There is another description of the symptoms of intoxication in the person of Śrī Rādhārāṇī after She saw Kṛṣṇa. Sometimes She was walking hither and thither, sometimes She was laughing, sometimes She was covering Her face, sometimes She was talking without any meaning, and sometimes She was praying to Her associate gopīs. Seeing these symptoms in Rādhārāṇī, the gopīs began to talk among themselves: "Just see how Rādhārāṇī has become intoxicated simply by seeing Kṛṣṇa before Her!" This is an instance of ecstatic love in intoxication.