View source for Balarāma's Taking - Actions of the Supreme Servitor

The activity of the Supreme Lord is never motivated by personal need, but by the desire to bless His creation and devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings intricately describe the various roles and responsibilities Lord Balarāma "takes" throughout His transcendental pastimes. Whether taking charge of the herd, taking up weapons to defend dharma, or taking the hand of a guest in hospitality, Balarāma's actions serve as the perfect model for divine service.

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=== Taking Responsibility in Childhood Pastimes ===

In the pastoral environment of Vṛndāvana, Lord Balarāma played the role of an elder brother and a cowherd boy. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how He took charge of the calves and the other little boys, ensuring they were all properly cared for. In these sweet pastimes, Balarāma also took advantage of the environment to engage in the famous butter-stealing activities that brought so much joy to the residents of Vraja.

* [[Vaniquotes:Along with the other little cowherd boys, Krsna and Balarama went into the pasturing ground and took charge of the calves, and there They played with Their playmates. While taking charge of the calves, sometimes the two brothers played on Their flutes|Along with the other little cowherd boys, Krsna and Balarama went into the pasturing ground and took charge of the calves, and there They played with Their playmates. While taking charge of the calves, sometimes the two brothers played on Their flutes.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One day all the boys, including Krsna and Balarama, each boy taking his own group of calves, brought the calves to a reservoir of water, desiring to allow them to drink. After the animals drank water, the boys drank water there also - SB 10.11.46|One day all the boys, including Krsna and Balarama, each boy taking his own group of calves, brought the calves to a reservoir of water, desiring to allow them to drink. After the animals drank water, the boys drank water there also - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.11.46.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:While the elderly gopis go about their household affairs, Krsna and Balarama sometimes go into a dark room, brightening the place with the valuable jewels and ornaments on Their bodies and taking advantage of this light by stealing - SB 10.8.30|While the elderly gopis go about their household affairs, Krsna and Balarama sometimes go into a dark room, brightening the place with the valuable jewels and ornaments on Their bodies and taking advantage of this light by stealing - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.30.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Mother Yasoda addressed Balarama thus: "Please come back and take Your lunch at home. Your father Nandaraja is waiting for You. He has to eat, so You must come back so that he can eat"|Mother Yasoda addressed Balarama thus: "Please come back and take Your lunch at home. Your father Nandaraja is waiting for You. He has to eat, so You must come back so that he can eat."]]

=== Taking Up Weapons and Martial Duties ===

When the world is threatened by demonic forces, Lord Balarāma takes up His weapons to protect the pious. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that although Balarāma stayed neutral in the Battle of Kurukṣetra, He took charge of many other martial duties, such as protecting Kṛṣṇa's family and killing Kaṁsa's brothers. His taking of weapons, such as the plow or a club, symbolizes His absolute power to maintain religious principles.

* [[Vaniquotes:As far as Kamsa's eight brothers were concerned, Balarama took charge of killing them. Balarama's mother, Rohini, although the wife of Vasudeva, was not the sister of Kamsa; therefore Balarama took charge of killing all of Kamsa's eight brothers|As far as Kamsa's eight brothers were concerned, Balarama took charge of killing them. Balarama's mother, Rohini, although the wife of Vasudeva, was not the sister of Kamsa; therefore Balarama took charge of killing all of Kamsa's eight brothers.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Balarama suspected that they would attack Krsna, and thus out of great affection for His brother He took strong military divisions of chariots, infantry, horses and elephants and went to the precincts of Kundina|Balarama suspected that they would attack Krsna, and thus out of great affection for His brother He took strong military divisions of chariots, infantry, horses and elephants and went to the precincts of Kundina.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Lord Balarama has two weapons, a plow and a club, from which He takes service when they are required|Lord Balarama has two weapons, a plow and a club, from which He takes service when they are required.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Lord Balarama took the other tusk of the elephant on His shoulder. Accompanied by Their cowherd boyfriends, They entered the arena|Lord Balarama took the other tusk of the elephant on His shoulder. Accompanied by Their cowherd boyfriends, They entered the arena.]]

=== Taking Sacred Baths and Performing Rituals ===

During His extensive travels, Lord Balarāma took His bath in many of India's most sacred rivers. Śrīla Prabhupāda details this pilgrimage, showing that the Lord took these steps to establish the standard for Vedic culture. By taking the final ceremonial bath after His sacrifices, Lord Balarāma demonstrated the importance of following the regulative principles of spiritual life.

* [[Vaniquotes:After taking His (Balarama's) bath in the river Godavari and performing the necessary ritualistic ceremonies, He gradually visited the other rivers - the Vena, Pampa and Bhimarathi|After taking His (Balarama's) bath in the river Godavari and performing the necessary ritualistic ceremonies, He gradually visited the other rivers - the Vena, Pampa and Bhimarathi.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Balarama) took His bath there (the place of pilgrimage known as Prabhasa-ksetra), and He pacified the local brahmanas and offered oblations to the demigods, Pitas, great sages and people in general, in accordance with Vedic ritualistic ceremonies|He (Balarama) took His bath there (the place of pilgrimage known as Prabhasa-ksetra), and He pacified the local brahmanas and offered oblations to the demigods, Pitas, great sages and people in general, in accordance with Vedic ritualistic ceremonies.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Lord Balarama took permission from the brahmanas assembled at Naimisaranya and, accompanied by other brahmanas, went to the bank of the river Kausiki|Lord Balarama took permission from the brahmanas assembled at Naimisaranya and, accompanied by other brahmanas, went to the bank of the river Kausiki.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Lord Balarama then took the avabhrtha bath, which is taken after finishing sacrificial performances. After taking His bath, He dressed Himself in new silken garments and decorated Himself with beautiful jewelry|Lord Balarama then took the avabhrtha bath, which is taken after finishing sacrificial performances. After taking His bath, He dressed Himself in new silken garments and decorated Himself with beautiful jewelry.]]

=== Taking the Hand of the Devotee ===

The highest role Lord Balarāma takes is that of the original spiritual master and affectionate friend. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Balarāma takes the hand of His devotees to receive them into His home and into the spiritual kingdom. This gesture of taking the hand symbolizes the divine protection and personal care the Lord offers to those who have surrendered unto Him.

* [[Vaniquotes:Balarama also embraced Akrura. Taking him by the hand, Krsna and Balarama brought him to Their sitting room, where They offered him a very nice sitting place and water for washing his feet|Balarama also embraced Akrura. Taking him by the hand, Krsna and Balarama brought him to Their sitting room, where They offered him a very nice sitting place and water for washing his feet.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Akrura thought, "When Krsna & Balarama are pleased with my behavior, certainly They will take my hand, receive me within Their home & offer me all kinds of respectable hospitalities, & They will surely ask me about the activities of Kamsa & his friends"|Akrura thought, "When Krsna and Balarama are pleased with my behavior, certainly They will take my hand, receive me within Their home and offer me all kinds of respectable hospitalities, and They will surely ask me about the activities of Kamsa and his friends."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Balarama said, "Tell Him He should not leave the house today." This shows how Balarama, Krsna's elder brother, took care of Krsna with parental love, within the scope of fraternal affection|Balarama said, "Tell Him He should not leave the house today." This shows how Balarama, Krsna's elder brother, took care of Krsna with parental love, within the scope of fraternal affection.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna and Balarama taught us (the duties of a vaisya) by Their personal behavior. Krsna took care of the cows and played His flute, and Balarama took care of agricultural activities with a plow in His hand|Krsna and Balarama taught us (the duties of a vaisya) by Their personal behavior. Krsna took care of the cows and played His flute, and Balarama took care of agricultural activities with a plow in His hand.]]

=== Conclusion ===

In conclusion, the various actions described as Balarāma's "taking" are all manifestations of His infinite mercy and service-oriented nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Balarāma takes the roles of a child, a warrior, a pilgrim, and a host to fulfill the diverse needs of His pastimes and His devotees. By accepting Balarāma as the original spiritual master, a sincere soul can understand that the Lord is always ready to take charge of our spiritual life and take us by the hand, leading us back to the eternal kingdom of Kṛṣṇa.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Balarama's_Taking|Balarama's Taking]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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