As the older brother of Krishna, Balarama sported with Him in the groves and forests just like a human being. They cared for the calves of their village, danced with the cowherd maidens of Vraja and enjoyed picnics and play with the other cowherd boys.
They also sometimes exhibited their prowess as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and killed powerful demons when they came to disturb the peace.
We seek the grace and blessings of Lord Balarama every day but especially on this sacred day.
Today’s (Monday's) Caitra purnima is very auspicious and many important events are honored such as Lord Krsna’s Vasanta rasa-lila, Lord Balarama’s rasayatra, Hanuman Jayanti and Bahucara-devi Mela.
Sri Krsna’s vasanta or springtime rasa-lila is one of the most auspicious times of the year for remembering the beautiful pastimes of Sri Radha-Krsna. These pastimes are elaborately described in books such as Sri Gita-govinda, Sri Prema-samputa, The Nectar of Govinda-lila, etc. and include Radha and Krsna’s springtime rasa dance at Candra-sarovara, Sri Radha’s manifestation of jealous anger (mana), Krsna’s attempts to pacify Her in so many ways, the gopis’ stealing of Krsna’s flute, Krsna’s crossdressing as Syamali-gopi, and many others.
During the autumn rasa-lila Lord Krsna increases the gopis’ love for Him by leaving in the middle of the dance, but in the springtime rasa-lila it is Sri Radha who threatens to end the dance, thus driving Sri Krsna mad with love and to the point of tears!
Lord Balarama’s rasayatra (rasa-lila dance) at Rama-ghata is also honored today. This pastime occurs during His visit to Vrndavana after He and Krsna have moved away to Dvaraka. The Vrajavasi’s distress caused by separation was so great that Krsna sent Baladeva to console them. This rasayatra dance occurs not with Krsna’s gopis but with Balarama’s—those gopis who were too young to enjoy with Krsna when He was personally present in Vrndavana. Lord Balarama’s pastime of chastising Yamuna-devi and dragging her waters with His plow is also remembered on this day. (Krsna book, Ch. 65)
"Lord Balarama, of course, could understand the ecstatic feelings of the gopis, and therefore He wanted to pacify them. He was expert in presenting an appeal, and thus, treating the gopis very respectfully, He began to narrate the stories of Krsna so tactfully that the gopis became satisfied.
"To keep the gopis in Vrndavana satisfied, Lord Balarama stayed there continuously for two months, namely the months of Caitra (March-April) and Vaisakha (April-May). For those two months He kept Himself among the gopis, and He passed every night with them in the forest of Vrndavana to satisfy their desire for conjugal love. Thus Balarama also enjoyed the rasa dance with the gopis during those two months.
"Since the season was springtime, the breeze on the bank of the Yamuna was blowing very mildly, carrying the aroma of different flowers, especially the flower known as kaumudi. Moonlight filled the sky and spread everywhere, and thus the banks of the Yamuna appeared very bright and pleasing, and Lord Balarama enjoyed the company of the gopis there." (Krsna book, Ch. 65, pp. 500-01)
Today is also celebrated as the appearance of Sri Hanuman (Hanuman Jayanti). Hanuman is the vanara (monkey-like) servant and foremost devotee of Sri Ramacandra.
Today is also celebrated as the appearance of Sri Hanuman (Hanuman Jayanti). Hanuman is the vanara (monkey-like) servant and foremost devotee of Sri Ramacandra.
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