Deity

Balarama

बलरामBalarāma

Also called Balram

verses
2,048
books
22
chapters
545
Avatar of
Vishnu
Sibling of
Krishna
Consort of
Revati
Child of
Rohini

What the texts say

In the Bhagavata Purana, Balarama is the son of Rohini and the elder brother of Krishna. Bhagavatam 10.36.17, 10.43.30 The Mahabharata describes Balarama as a portion of the serpent Shesha. Mahabharata 1.61.91 The Bhagavata Purana says that because he was sent from the womb of Devaki, Krishna's mother, to the womb of Rohini, Balarama is celebrated as Sankarshana, one of his names. Bhagavatam 10.2.13 In the same Purana, Balarama seizes the demon Dhenuka and throws him into a palm tree, and he kills the demon Pralamba as well. Bhagavatam 10.15.32, 10.18.30 In the Vishnu Purana, Balarama takes as his wife Revati, daughter of King Raivata. Vishnu Purana 5.25.19, 4.1.73 In the Mahabharata, the warriors Bhima and Duryodhana are both pupils of Balarama in mace-combat. Mahabharata 9.54.23 The Bhagavata Purana tells how Balarama dragged the river Yamuna with his plough, and her many channels can still be seen. Bhagavatam 10.65.24, 10.65.33

Where to read

Every verse that names Balarama, book by book.

  1. Bhagavatam

    635 verses · 109 chapters

    All 635 verses in the Bhagavatam
    • 10.79.3

      The immense demon resembled a mass of black carbon. His topknot and beard were like molten copper, and his face had horrible fangs and furrowed eyebrows. Upon seeing him, Lord Balarāma thought of His club, which tears to pieces His…

    • 10.65.1

      Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O best of the Kurus, once Lord Balarāma, eager to visit His well-wishing friends, mounted His chariot and traveled to Nanda Gokula.

    • 10.68.14

      Lord Balarāma, however, cooled the tempers of the Vṛṣṇi heroes, who had already put on their armor. He who purifies the age of quarrel did not want a quarrel between the Kurus and Vṛṣṇis. Thus, accompanied by brāhmaṇas and family elders…

  2. Mahabharata

    300 verses · 95 chapters

    All 300 verses in the Mahabharata

    Also in the Gita Press edition: 445 verses

    • 16.5.6

      Then, seeing Babhru slain, Kṛṣṇa spoke to his elder brother: “Rāma, wait for me here, until I place the women under the protection and control of their kinsmen.”

    • 9.59.22

      Sañjaya said: “O lord of the people, even after hearing Keśava’s reasoning that involved a stratagem framed as dharma, Rāma was not pleased in mind and spoke words in the assembly.”

    • 9.53.1

      Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Then, having seen Kurukṣetra and having distributed gifts, the Sātvata (Balarāma) went to a very great and splendid hermitage, O Janamejaya.

  3. Skanda Purana

    295 verses · 87 chapters

    All 295 verses in the Skanda Purana
    • 3.1.19.6

      Here, one is freed from poverty, disease, and even the bondage of worldly existence, by bathing at Lakṣmaṇa-tīrtha and worshipping Lakṣmaṇeśvara. O brāhmaṇas, in former times Balabhadra too was released from the sin of brahmin-slaying…

    • 1.2.39.33

      There, the protecting Goddess stands surrounded by crores upon crores of goddesses. And the burning fire—impelled by the exhalation of Saṅkarṣaṇa—moves forth as the consuming flame.

    • 1.2.42.187

      Salutations to You, the Blessed Lord Vāsudeva—on whom we meditate. Salutations to Pradyumna and Aniruddha, and also to Saṅkarṣaṇa.

  4. Brahma Purana

    211 verses · 50 chapters

    All 211 verses in the Brahma Purana
    • 192.3

      After he had properly exchanged greetings with them, Balarāma and Keśava at once entered, taking him into their own residence.

    • 208.1

      The sages said: “We wish to hear more about the wise Balabhadra. O sage, please explain to us his prowess and heroism.”

    • 201.9

      O brahmins, for her wedding, Balarāma and the other Yādavas went with Hari (Krishna) to Rukmin’s city, named Bhojakaṭa.

Also named in

Key chapters

The chapters where Balarama matters most.

  1. Lakṣmaṇa-tīrtha Māhātmya and Balabhadra’s Expiation Narrative

    Skanda Purana 3.1.19 · 48 verses

  2. Balarāma Slays Balvala and Visits Sacred Tīrthas; He Attempts to Stop Bhīma-Duryodhana

    Bhagavatam 10.79 · 28 verses

    Protector of brāhmaṇas and yajña

  3. Chapter 5: Dāruka’s Mission, Balarāma’s Yogic Departure, and Kṛṣṇa’s Niṣkramaṇa

    Mahabharata 16.5 · 8 verses

    First to depart

  4. Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā

    Bhagavatam 10.65 · 25 verses

    Mediator and protector: expert in sāma (conciliation), he…

  5. Chapter 59: Baladeva’s Censure, Keśava’s Restraint, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Moral Accounting

    Mahabharata 9.59 · 20 verses

    Custodian of martial code

  6. Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba

    Bhagavatam 10.68 · 19 verses

    Chief mediator and enforcer of dharma

  7. Plakṣaprasravaṇa-Kārapacana tīrtha-varṇana and Nārada’s war briefing (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 53)

    Mahabharata 9.53 · 19 verses

    Pilgrim-war-witness poised between sacred travel and impending…

  8. Appointment of Pandava Commanders and Balarama’s Counsel

    Mahabharata 5.154 · 17 verses

    Elder Vrishni whose withdrawal dramatizes the war’s moral…

  9. Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement

    Mahabharata 9.33 · 16 verses

    Revered elder and guru-figure whose presence sanctifies and…

  10. Kṛṣṇa Slays Kuvalayāpīḍa and Enters Kaṁsa’s Wrestling Arena

    Bhagavatam 10.43 · 15 verses

    Kṛṣṇa’s elder brother and co-hero, embodying strength and…

Key episodes

  1. Yashoda Sees the Universe in Krishna's Mouth

    Bhagavatam 10.8

  2. Brahma Steals the Calves and Cowherd Boys

    Bhagavatam 10.13-10.14

  3. Krishna Kills Kamsa

    Bhagavatam 10.43-10.44

  4. Rukmini's Letter and Krishna's Rescue

    Bhagavatam 10.52-10.54

  5. The Mace Duel: Bhima Breaks Duryodhana's Thigh

    Mahabharata 9.54-9.58

  6. The Destruction of the Yadavas and Krishna's Departure

    Mahabharata 16.1-16.9

Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q1061606