Balarama, the Elder Brother

Krishna's elder brother Balarama: Sankarshana, son of Rohini, bearer of the plough and the beloved Dauji of Vraja.

Shri Balarama, also called Baladeva, Balabhadra and lovingly Dauji, is the elder brother of Shri Krishna. According to the Shrimad Bhagavatam, he first came as the seventh child in Devaki's womb in Kamsa's prison. By the Lord's command, Yogamaya drew the child from Devaki's womb and placed it in the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, who was living safely in Gokula under Nanda Baba's protection. Because he was drawn (sankarshana) from one womb to another he is called Sankarshana; because of his immense strength, Bala; and because he gives joy to all, Rama.

Balarama is regarded as a form of the Lord himself and is associated with Shesha, the divine serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests. His weapons are the plough (hala) and the pestle-club (musala), so he is called Haladhara, the bearer of the plough. He is fair in complexion and wears blue garments, while Krishna is dark and wears yellow.

In Vraja the two brothers grazed the calves together, and Balarama slew the demons Dhenukasura and Pralambasura. He stood beside Krishna in Mathura when Kamsa's wrestlers were defeated. Later he married Revati and lived in Dvaraka. Before the Kurukshetra war he chose not to take sides and went on pilgrimage instead, for both Bhima and Duryodhana were dear to him, and both had learned the use of the mace from him.

In Vraja, especially at Baldeo near Mathura, devotees worship him as Dauji, the elder brother through whose grace and protection one reaches Krishna. He is the ideal of a loving, strong and protective elder brother, and in Vaishnava tradition he is honoured as the one who gives the spiritual strength needed for devotion.

Relation

Elder brother

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10; Mahabharata