Balaram Went to Braj

King Parikshit listened with deep feeling and said, "It has been so long since Krishna and Balaram left Vrindavan. Tell me, did they not remember Braj anymore?"

Shukadeva Goswami replied, "O King, yes, they did. Both of them thought of Braj. Balaram felt even more sorrowful. At last he decided, 'I must go to Braj. I must see King Nanda, Mother Yashoda, and all our relatives.'"

When Balaram entered Braj, joy spread through the whole land like fresh light after a long dark night. The people of Braj had not even hoped to see him so suddenly. Nanda Maharaj, the elder cowherds, old friends, and all their dear ones came forward with overflowing love. They embraced Balaram and brought him to Nanda's house.

Balaram bowed down before King Nanda. But Nanda at once lifted him up and pressed him to his chest.

"Stay, Balaram, Balaram," Nanda said, his voice trembling with affection. "You have come to Braj after so many days, my son. How are you? Is everything well? Is all the news from Dwaraka good?"

Balaram answered gently, "Yes, father, everyone in Dwaraka is well. My heart had become very restless to see you all. So I came."

"You did well, my son," Nanda said. "I cannot say how happy I am to see you. Tell me, how is our Kanai? Balaram, I know you protect him. But... but we have not seen him for so long. My heart feels very sad thinking of Kanai, my son."

Balaram said, "Krishna is well, father. He too thinks of you almost all the time. But no royal work can be done without him. So he cannot come to Braj..."

Just then Mother Yashoda came quickly, her heart full, her eyes wet.

"Balaram, Balaram, have you come, my son?" she cried. "Child, after so long I have seen this face! You are the jewel of our heads, my son, our worthy son. And... and look at your brother, he has completely forgotten this mother."

"Do not cry, mother, do not cry," Balaram said softly. "None of us has forgotten you. How can I explain it to you, mother? The truth is, Kanai has many heavy duties of the kingdom on his shoulders. Otherwise, would he not have come?"

"You are comforting me, Balaram, comforting me," Yashoda said through tears. "Kanai will never come again, I know, my son. Even if I call him a hundred times, he will not come. But... but now that you have come, seeing your face has taken away all my pain, my son."

"Mother, do not be sad," Balaram said. "Believe me, your Kanai thinks of you all the time, mother. I am not telling a lie."

"No, my son," she answered, touching him lovingly. "You are the jewel of my head. Can you ever speak a lie? Come Balaram, come, come. Take some rest, my son. You have come from so far. You must be very tired."

Balaram smiled and said, "Do not speak like that to me. We must keep coming back to our own parents and relatives. And the road back to Braj is not tiring to me at all, mother."

He rested for a while. Then he went out to meet everyone in the land of Braj. The cowherd men, the women, the old, the young, all came to see him. So great was their happiness that for some time they even forgot the burning sorrow of Krishna's absence.

King Parikshit asked, "The gopis must have met Balaram and asked again and again about Krishna, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva said, "Yes, Parikshit. They came to Balaram together in a group. First they asked with courtesy about his well-being. Then, unable to hold back their hearts, they began to speak of Krishna."

One of them said, "O Balaram, now you all are householders. You are living happily with children and family. Do you even remember us now?"

Balaram replied, "Do not make me sad by asking such questions. None of us has forgotten the people of Braj even for one day. Even in the middle of all work, we always remember you. That is why I left all work and came running to Braj."

Another gopi said, "Balaram, we are grateful to you all. You killed that cruel Kansa and saved us all and kept us safe. But tell us about your Krishna."

"Of course I will," Balaram said. "Tell me, what do you want to know?"

The gopis answered with aching hearts, "Does he ever remember his parents, his friends, and us gopis? Let him not come to see us? He has not even come once to his own mother for so long. Even after death, a person cannot easily leave the love of dear ones. But we left father, mother, husband, children, and family life, everything, only for him. But he... he left our love and our surrender and went away to some far country. He is faithless, faithless."

Another said bitterly, "Leave it, friend. We are hurting ourselves for nothing by thinking of him. He has not kept us in his heart. We can clearly see that he does not feel even a little sorrow for us."

Balaram, who was very skilled in speech, answered them with kindness. "Friends, on Krishna's behalf I am deeply saying sorry to you. Krishna has become so busy in doing his duty as a kshatriya that it is not possible for him to leave Dwaraka and come here. That is why he sent me, so that you may hear all his news from me. Come, I will tell you in detail everything about Krishna."

Then Balaram spoke many pleasing words about Krishna. He told many touching events and memories. His words were sweet, wise, and full of understanding. Little by little, the pain in the hearts of the gopis grew calmer.

Parikshit asked, "Did that comfort the gopis, Lord?"

"Yes, O King," said Shukadeva. "Their hearts became peaceful. After that they all began to serve Balaram. He too was a part of Narayan himself, and in beauty and virtue he was in no way less than Krishna. Therefore the gopis again became joyful in his company."

Parikshit asked, "Acharyadev, how long did Balaram stay in Gokul? Please tell me, Lord, what else happened there while he was staying?"

Shukadeva replied, "Balaram stayed there for the two months of Chaitra and Vaishakh."

During that time, one night, Balaram sat with the gopis in a grove on the bank of the Yamuna. It was a full moon night. The moonlight was so soft and bright that it seemed as if the whole world were floating in silver light.

Parikshit said with wonder, "On a full moon night, the bank of the Yamuna, and the nearby grove—ah, what a beautiful sight it must have been, Acharyadev! Who was the daughter of Varunadev? How did she please Balaram?"

Shukadeva said, "O King, Varunadev's daughter was Goddess Varuni. When Balaram was walking through the grove with the gopis, she appeared in the form of a stream of honey flowing from a hollow in a great tree. Her fragrance spread in all directions. Smelling that sweet scent, Balaram at once went beneath that tree with the gopis, and they all enjoyed that fragrance with full hearts."

Parikshit said, "How wonderful are the Lord's plays! What a beautiful way to comfort the gopis!"

"Yes, Parikshit," Shukadeva answered. "The Lord himself is beautiful in his divine play. Balaram too was in no way less beautiful than Krishna. As he moved through the grove with the maidens, he wore flower garlands around his neck, and also the Vaijayanti garland. In one ear he wore a lovely shining earring. And on his face there was always a heavenly smile."

One day, while wandering on the bank of the Yamuna, Balaram desired water play and called the river to come near.

Parikshit said, "Then Yamuna surely agreed to play in the water with Balaram?"

Shukadeva answered, "No, O King. Yamuna ignored Balaram's call. She did not come."

"Why, Acharyadev?" asked Parikshit. "Why did Yamuna ignore Balaram's command?"

"In truth," Shukadeva said, "Yamuna did not recognize him. She thought some handsome young man, made careless by wine, was calling her. So she ignored the call."

Parikshit leaned forward eagerly. "Then what happened? What did Balaram do?"

"Balaram became very angry," said Shukadeva. "He pulled Yamuna toward himself with his plough and said, 'O sinful Yamuna, I called you, and you did not accept that call. In this way you insulted me. Very well, for this stubborn behavior, today I will give you proper punishment. With this plough of mine I will now cut you into a hundred parts.'"

Hearing these terrible words, Yamuna trembled with fear. She at once understood that this was no ordinary youth. Nor was he drunk. Then, seeing his plough, she realized that he was none other than mighty Balaram himself. Terrified, she came near, touched his feet, and began to pray.

"O mighty-armed Balaram, forgive my boldness," she said. "I could not recognize your true form. I have committed an offense. I have taken shelter in you, and I ask your forgiveness for what I have done. Please show mercy to me."

Balaram said, "Very well, I forgive you. Come then. Join me and these gopis in the water play."

Yamuna bowed and replied, "As you wish, Lord, so let it be."

Then Balaram entered the Yamuna with all the gopis for water sport. Yamuna remained there with them. Just as a great elephant, wild with joy, sports in the water among female elephants, Balaram also played with the gopis in that same way.

At the end, when he came out of the water fully pleased, Shri Lakshmi Devi offered him blue garments, many costly ornaments, and other gifts.

Then Shukadeva added, "Do you know one thing, Parikshit? Even now the Yamuna flows along the path marked out by Balaram's plough."

After hearing of Balaram's acts in Braj, Parikshit asked, "When Balaram was in Braj, what was happening in Dwaraka, Lord? Was there peace there?"

Shukadeva said, "Parikshit, in the land of Karusha there was a king named Paundraka. He was foolish and full of pride. The foolish people of his land praised him only to please him. They said, 'O great king, you alone are Lord Vasudeva. You have come to this earth to save the world.'"

Others also said, "Yes, great king, we accept only you as Lord Vasudeva, great king, not Krishna who lives in Dwaraka."

Hearing such praise again and again, the foolish Paundraka began truly to think himself God. Without understanding anything of Krishna's divine acts, he sent a message to Krishna in Dwaraka through a messenger.

The messenger entered the royal court and said, "My respects at the feet of Shri Krishna. I am the messenger of King Paundraka of Purusha country."

Krishna said calmly, "May good come to you, messenger. Tell me, what news has King Paundraka sent?"

The messenger answered, "Lord, he has sent this message—I alone am Vasudeva, no one else. I have come for the salvation of this world. You have falsely been calling yourself Vasudeva. O Yadava, the marks you wear are truly mine. So give them up at once and surrender to me. And if this command of mine is not acceptable to you, then defeat me in battle."

Parikshit cried out, "What, Acharyadev! Such a letter sent to Krishna? Can this even happen?"

"Yes, O King," Shukadeva replied. "After hearing such a strange message, everyone in the court, beginning from King Ugrasena, burst into loud laughter. But Krishna felt deeply insulted. So he sent an answer back through the same messenger."

Krishna said, "O fool, I will never give up the marks of my discus and the rest. Rather, when I kill you and your advisers with that very discus, then you will understand. In the battlefield you will see flesh-eating birds like vultures surround you and tear your flesh apart."

Parikshit asked, "Did Krishna write such a reply, Acharyadev?"

"Yes, Parikshit," said Shukadeva. "Krishna was greatly angered then. He learned that Paundraka was staying with his dear friend, the king of Kashi. Therefore Krishna attacked Kashi."

When the attack was heard, the great warrior Paundraka came out of the city with two akshauhini armies. The king of Kashi also came with his army to help him.

Parikshit asked, "O sage, did Paundraka really wear all the heroic marks of Krishna on his own body?"

Shukadeva answered, "O King, yes. Like Krishna, Paundraka wore the conch, discus, mace, Saranga bow, and the Shrivatsa mark. On his chest shone an artificial Kaustubha gem and a garland. He wore yellow garments, and on the flag of his chariot he had placed the sign of Garuda. On his head was a priceless crown, and in his ears shone crocodile-shaped earrings."

Parikshit said, "What did Paundraka do when he came to the battlefield, O sage?"

Shukadeva replied, "As soon as he entered the battlefield, his army began raining weapons upon Krishna. Then Krishna, like the blazing fire of destruction, crushed the armies of Paundraka and the king of Kashi with his mace, sword, and many other weapons."

Then Krishna said to Paundraka, "O Paundraka, through your messenger you told me to give up my weapons. Here, I am giving all those weapons upon you. Did you not take my name Vasudeva for no reason? I am now making sure that you become nameless."

As he spoke, Krishna shattered Paundraka's chariot and cut off his head with the Sudarshana discus.

Then Shukadeva said, "O King, Paundraka thought of Krishna all the time and always kept himself dressed in Krishna's form. Therefore all his bonds were cut, and he gained liberation."

Parikshit said softly, "Ah, whether enemy or friend, in whatever way one remembers the Lord, the Lord saves that person in that same way. And what happened to the king of Kashi, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva replied, "By Krishna's arrow, the head of the king of Kashi was also severed from his body. That head fell in Kashi itself, right before the lion gate of the royal palace. In this way Krishna crushed his enemies and returned to his capital."

Parikshit said, "Acharyadev, Balaram was all-powerful. He was beyond creation and destruction, infinite and endless. His divine acts too were no less wonderful and unique. I want to hear more about him, O sage."

Shukadeva said, "Then listen, Parikshit. I will tell you the story of a monkey named Dvivida. Dvivida was a friend of Bhaumasura, a minister of Sugriva, and the brother of Mainda. He was very powerful. In his body was the strength of ten elephants."

Parikshit asked, "What relation did he have with Krishna, O sage?"

Shukadeva answered, "When Dvivida heard that Bhaumasura had been killed by Krishna, he decided to take revenge for his friend's death. So he began setting fire to the cities, villages, and settlements of Dwaraka, burning everything to ashes. Sometimes he would lift huge mountains and use them also to kill many people, places, and animals."

Parikshit said, "His anger was against Krishna. Then why did he cause such damage to everything, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva answered, "That monkey mainly caused harm in Dwaraka, because Krishna lived there. But because he was evil by nature, he also destroyed the trees and plants in the hermitages of many great sages. Sometimes he threw stool and urine into the sacred fire pits and made those holy places impure. And he did not stop there. That sinner would seize men and women and lock them up in mountain caves."

Parikshit said, "Then he truly was a great sinner. What happened after that? Please tell me."

Shukadeva continued, "Once that monkey heard a sweet sound of music floating down from Mount Raivataka. He followed the sound and went there. There he saw Shri Balaram, the crest-jewel of the Yadu line, seated among very beautiful young women. And while drinking the wine called Varuni, he was enjoying that music."

Parikshit asked, "What harm did that wicked monkey do there, Acharyadev?"

"That wicked monkey reached the place," Shukadeva said, "sat on the branch of a tree, and began shaking it. Then he came before the young women and made ugly mocking gestures at them. The women laughed on seeing the monkey's antics. Gaining courage from that, the monkey then came right before Balaram and made all kinds of gestures while shouting threats."

Parikshit said, "What terrible boldness from that foolish monkey! Then what happened?"

Shukadeva said, "Balaram became greatly annoyed by the monkey's behavior and threw a piece of stone at him. Dvivida avoided it. Then, to provoke Balaram further, he picked up a wine jar that was kept nearby and smashed it to pieces. After that he began pulling at the women's clothes. By many insulting acts he tried to make Balaram angry."

Parikshit said, "Just hearing of such evil deeds makes me very angry, Acharyadev. What did Balaram do then?"

Shukadeva replied, "Seeing the monkey's wickedness, and thinking of how much harm he could do to the people, Balaram became greatly enraged and decided to kill him. When Dvivida saw that Balaram had taken up his club and plough, he too lifted a huge sal tree from the ground with one hand. Then he rushed forward swiftly and struck Balaram hard with it."

Parikshit asked, "Was Balaram able to stop that blow? Did he strike back?"

"Yes, O King," said Shukadeva. "Balaram stopped that blow and struck Dvivida hard on the head with his club named Sunanda. From that blow, a heavy flow of blood came from the monkey's head. But Dvivida ignored even that. He again lifted a tree and rushed to strike Balaram. Balaram broke that tree too into a hundred pieces. In this way the fight continued until the whole forest was left without trees."

Parikshit said eagerly, "Acharyadev, there is no doubt that that harmful monkey was truly very powerful. But when there were no trees left nearby, how did the monkey continue the battle? I am very eager to know."

Shukadeva said, "Listen, O King. When he could not find any trees, he began lifting huge rocks from the mountain and hurling them at Balaram. But Balaram kept crushing those rocks too with the blows of his weapons. At last, seeing no other way, Dvivida clenched both fists, rushed forward, and struck Balaram on the chest."

"And what did Balaram do then?" asked Parikshit.

"Then Balaram threw down all the weapons in his hands," Shukadeva said, "and struck Dvivida hard on the ribs with both hands. From the force of that blow, Dvivida fell to the ground vomiting blood. Parikshit, just as a boat in water shakes when a strong wind blows, in the same way the whole Raivataka mountain shook when Dvivida fell."

Then Shukadeva said with reverence, "No power can be stronger than the power of all-powerful Balaram. The Lord, as if in play, destroys the wicked and protects the good age after age."

He continued, "A mighty monkey like Dvivida could not even slightly hurt Balaram. After Dvivida was killed, the gods in the sky cried out in victory. The sages all praised him. Then flowers rained down from heaven upon Balaram. After this, he returned to the city of Dwaraka."

Parikshit said, "Acharyadev, tell me more about Balaram, about his bravery."

Shukadeva replied, "Jambavati and Krishna had a son named Samba. He was so powerful that by himself he could defeat many heroes. This Samba carried away Lakshmana, the daughter of Duryodhana, from her svayamvara assembly."

Parikshit said, "Acharyadev, this event must surely have made the Kauravas very angry. Did they do anything against it?"

"Yes, O King," Shukadeva said. "The Kauravas became very angry and began to speak among themselves."

One said, "Look at the bad sense of the Yadava boy. Being so low, he carries away the princess of the Kaurava line. Our daughter does not even like him. Still, insulting everyone, he lifted her and took her away. This proud Yadava should be caught and tied at once. He should be punished."

Another said, "What are you saying? Samba is Krishna's son. He is of the Yadu line. They will become very angry over this."

A third answered, "What if the Yadavas become angry? They live only by our mercy. Rather, if they come here to rescue Samba after hearing he has been captured, that will be good. We can teach them a proper lesson."

Then they said, "Very well, then let us go. With the permission of our elders, let us set out to catch Samba."

Parikshit asked, "Acharyadev, who went to catch Samba?"

Shukadeva replied, "O King, warriors like Karna and Duryodhana rushed after Samba. After taking permission from their elders, they set out to capture him. When the great warrior Samba learned that the sons of Dhritarashtra were coming to seize him, he turned back with a loud twang of his beautiful bow. Meanwhile, the Kauravas, making Karna their commander, surrounded him and attacked him with loud boasts."

Parikshit exclaimed, "What, Acharyadev? How did Samba protect himself alone before warriors like Karna and Duryodhana?"

Shukadeva said, "O King, do not forget that Samba was the son of Lord Shri Krishna himself. Just as the king of beasts, the lion, becomes angry at the boldness of deer, so Samba also became angry at the boasting of the Kauravas. He twanged his beautiful bow and at once shot six arrows each toward the six heroes. The warriors on the other side greatly praised the speed of Samba's shower of arrows."

Parikshit asked, "What, Acharyadev? Then did they stop the battle?"

"No, O King," Shukadeva answered. "It is the nature of the truly noble to praise good qualities, whether in friend or enemy. The kings present there that day were all great kshatriya heroes. So although they did not stop the battle, they could not help praising Samba's bravery and skill."

Parikshit asked, "Then what happened in the battle after that?"

Shukadeva said, "After that, under the combined attack of the six heroes, Samba lost his chariot. Then with great difficulty they all together managed to defeat Samba and capture him. Joyfully they returned to Hastinapur with Samba and Lakshmana."

Parikshit asked, "But how did the news of Samba's capture reach the Yadavas, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva replied, "Narada Muni himself went to Dwaraka and gave the Yadavas that news. As soon as they heard it, they became terribly angry, and by the order of King Ugrasena they prepared to attack the Kauravas."

Parikshit said, "So did conflict begin between the Yadavas and the Kauravas?"

Shukadeva answered, "No, O King. Balaram was always against every kind of quarrel. He said to King Ugrasena, 'O King, I have heard that you have ordered the Yadava army to attack the Kauravas in order to free Krishna's son Samba from their hands. But I have a request in this matter.'"

King Ugrasena said, "Yes, Balaram, speak. What is your request?"

Balaram said, "O King, it would not be right for us to attack the Kauravas. It will only destroy the relation between the Kauravas and the Vrishnis. There will be no other gain."

Ugrasena asked, "Then what is your advice? Please tell me. They have unjustly taken away our brave son Samba as a prisoner."

Balaram replied, "O King, they have acted according to their judgment. We will act according to ours. If by peaceful talk instead of war the matter can be settled, and Samba can be brought back from there with honor, then I think that is what we should do."

"Very well," said Ugrasena. "I accept your words. But who will act as the go-between in this talk with the Kauravas? Who will go to Hastinapur?"

Balaram answered, "O King, if you command, I will go there. I will speak with King Dhritarashtra. He will surely listen to our words and understand."

"Then so be it," Ugrasena said. "Set out for Hastinapur as soon as possible. Take with you whatever Yadava soldiers are needed."

Balaram said, "As you command, O King. But no soldiers. Please allow only a few Brahmins and the elders of the clan to go with me."

"Very well," said Ugrasena. "Permission is given."

Parikshit asked, "How did the Kauravas receive Balaram's arrival in Hastinapur, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva replied, "After reaching Hastinapur, Balaram first arranged to stay in a grove outside the city. From there he sent Uddhava to the royal court of the Kauravas to learn their movements."

Uddhava entered the court and offered respect to Dhritarashtra, Grandfather Bhishma, Dronacharya, Duryodhana, and the other heroes. At last he gave them the news of Balaram's arrival.

Parikshit asked, "What was their reaction on hearing of Balaram's arrival, O sage?"

Shukadeva said, "The Kauravas liked and respected Balaram very much. So they were extremely pleased to hear of his arrival. After honoring Uddhava, they went out to welcome Balaram. After they had exchanged words of well-being, Balaram slowly told them the reason for his coming."

Balaram said, "I have come here with a message from King Ugrasena. He has said, we know that many of you Kauravas together have unjustly defeated and captured the righteous Samba. But you are our relatives, and we do not wish quarrel and conflict among relatives. So I request that you send Samba and the new bride at once to us in Dwaraka."

There was such force and firmness in Balaram's words that the Kauravas could not at once decide what answer to give. So they began speaking among themselves.

"What strange words are these?" they said. "By fate a marriage connection was made with this Yadu line, and because of that they have begun to think themselves equal to us. We ourselves gave them thrones, made them kings, and gave them rights equal to ours, and now they oppose us. We should take away all their royal signs at once. Their pride has gone too far. It cannot be tolerated anymore."

When Balaram heard such proud and arrogant words, he became greatly displeased. He understood that when people of wicked nature gain power, strength, and wealth, they cannot remain peaceful.

He thought within himself, "The Yadavas were ready to attack the Kauravas. I stopped them from war. I came here to make peace by explaining things to the Kauravas. And these fools have behaved so badly with me. If I wish, today itself I can punish them severely and bring them to the right path."

At once Balaram rose in great anger, his plough in hand. With that plough he began to pull at the whole city of Hastinapur, as if he would uproot it and drag it into the Ganga.

Seeing this, the Kauravas understood their terrible danger. Desperate to save themselves, they at once changed their minds.

Parikshit asked, "What did they do at last to save themselves, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva answered, "To save themselves, the Kauravas freed Samba from bondage. Then, placing Samba and Lakshmana in front, they took shelter of Balaram. They praised him in many ways. At last Balaram's anger grew calm, and with a smiling face he granted them fearlessness."

Parikshit asked, "So Duryodhana accepted Samba as his son-in-law?"

"Yes, Parikshit," said Shukadeva. "And not only that. Duryodhana loved his daughter very much. So when she was leaving with her husband for Dwaraka, he gave as dowry twelve hundred elephants, one hundred thousand horses, six thousand chariots, and one thousand maidservants adorned with golden necklaces."

Thus Balaram returned with honor to Dwaraka, bringing back Samba and the new bride Lakshmana.