A relative of Krishna, he remained neutral in the Mahabharat war. In early Krishna related sculptures, he is as prominent as Krishna himself. Who is this?
Balarama is Krishna’s brother. He holds a plough, likes Duryodhana and remains neutral in the Bharata war.
Heroes from the Yadava/ Vrishni clan of Krishna were also deified. Balarama was called ‘Haladar’ or ‘Samkarsna’ and was associated with farming and was popular. Krishna was worshipped in a triad with his brother Balarama and sister Ekanamsa. He was also worshipped as Panchvira (5 heroes) with his brother Balarama, sons Pradyumna & Samba and grandson Aniruddh. These were considered emanations of Vasudeva. This practice gradually got assimilated with the Vedic Vishnu, who was one of the 12 forms of Sun in the Vedas.
The Wikimedia image is that of Balarama from Rajbari, West Bengal.
Source: Professor Meenakshi Jain. “Vasudeva Krishna and Mathura.”
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
Balarama is Krishna’s brother. He holds a plough, likes Duryodhana and remains neutral in the Bharata war.
Heroes from the Yadava/ Vrishni clan of Krishna were also deified. Balarama was called ‘Haladar’ or ‘Samkarsna’ and was associated with farming and was popular. Krishna was worshipped in a triad with his brother Balarama and sister Ekanamsa. He was also worshipped as Panchvira (5 heroes) with his brother Balarama, sons Pradyumna & Samba and grandson Aniruddh. These were considered emanations of Vasudeva. This practice gradually got assimilated with the Vedic Vishnu, who was one of the 12 forms of Sun in the Vedas.
The Wikimedia image is that of Balarama from Rajbari, West Bengal.
Source: Professor Meenakshi Jain. “Vasudeva Krishna and Mathura.”
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
