Page Content (OCR)
Balarama “The foremost manifestation of Krishna is Sankarshana, who is known as Ananta. He is the origin of all incarnations within this material world. Previous to the appearance of Lord Krishna, this original San- karshana will appear as Baladeva, just to please the Supreme Lord Krishna in His transcendental pas- times.” (Bhagavata Purana 10.1.24) “According to expert opinion, Balarama, as the chief of the original quadruple forms, is also the original Sankarshana. Balarama, the first expansion of Krishna, expands Himself in five forms: (1) Maha-San- karshana, (2) Karanabdhishayi, (3) Garbhodakashayi, (4) Kshirodakashayi, and (5) Shesha. These five plenary portions are responsible for both the spiritual and material cosmic manifestations. In these five forms Lord Balarama assists Lord Krishna in His activities. The first four of these forms are responsible for the cosmic manifestations, whereas Shesha is responsible for personal service to the Lord. Shesha is called Ananta, or unlimited, because He assists the Personality of Godhead in His unlimited expansions by performing an unlimited variety of services. Shri Balarama is the servitor Godhead who serves Lord Krishna 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.” (Chaitanya Charitamrta, Adi-lila 5.10, purport by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) Balarama appeared as Krishna's older brother and took part in Krishna's childhood pastimes in Vrinda- vana. He is the first direct expansion of Krishna. Balarama only had one wife, Revati, daughter of King Raivata, and by her He had two sons, Nishatha and Ulmuka. He is represented as having fair complex- ion, and clad in a dark-blue vest (nilavastra). His special weapons are the club (khetaka or saunanda), the plow (hala), and the pestle (musala). Thus He is called Phala, Hala, Halayudha (“plow-armed”), Halabhrit, Langali (“plow-bearer”), Sankarshana (“one who attracts everything”), Musali (“pestle- holder”). As he has a palm for a banner, he is called Taladhvaja. He represents guru-tattva, the principle of spiritual master. “May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesir- able eatables and protect me from physical illness. May Lord Rsabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold. May Yajna protect me from defamation and harm from the populace, and may Lord Balarama as Shesha protect me from envious serpents.” (Bhagavata Purana 6.8.18) “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Freed from all sinful reactions are those who rise from bed at the end of night, early in the morning, and fully concentrate their minds with great attention upon My form; your form; this lake; this mountain; the caves; the gardens; the cane plants; the bamboo plants; the celestial trees; the residential quarters of Me, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva; the three peaks of Trikuta Mountain, made of gold, silver and iron; My very pleasing abode [the ocean of milk]; the white island, Shvetadvipa, which is always brilliant with spiritual rays; My mark of Shrivatsa; the Kaustubha gem; My Vaijayanti garland; My club, Kaumodaki; My Sudarshana disc and Pancajanya conch shell; My bearer, Garuda, the king of the birds; My bed, Shesha Naga; My expansion of energy the goddess of for- tune; Lord Brahma; Narada Muni; Lord Shiva; Prahlada; My incarnations like Matsya, Kurma and Varaha; My unlimited all-auspicious activities, which yield piety to he who hears them; the sun; the moon; fire; the mantra omkara; the Absolute Truth; the total material energy; the cows and brahmanas; devotional service; the wives of Soma and Kashyapa, who are all daughters of King Daksha; the Rivers Ganges, Sarasvati, Nanda and Yamuna [Kalindi]; the elephant Airavata; Dhruva Maharaja; the seven rshis; and the pious human beings.” (Bhagavata Purana 8.4.17-24) Although Garuda enmity toward serpents is known from this verse it is clear that both Garuda and Shesha Naga are servants of the Lord Vishnu, or Krishna. 315 Appendix E: Dragons and Serpents Atlantis, Alien Visitation, and Genetic Manipulation