Balarama

Balarama (Sanskrit: Balarāma), also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha, is the elder brother of Krishna (an avatar of the god Vishnu) and is regarded generally as an avatar of Shesha. He is also sometimes considered as the Sankarshana form of Vishnu and the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

He may have originated in Vedic times as a deity of agriculture and fertility. In Jainism he is known as Baladeva. He is often depicted with a drinking cup, pitcher, shield and sword.

Early life

Birth and origin

Balarama was a son of Vasudeva. The evil king Kansa, the brother of Devaki, was intent upon killing the children of his sister because of a prediction that he would die at the hands of her eighth son.

Vishnu then impregnated the belly of the goddess Devaki with two strands of hair, one black, one white. To ensure their safety, their essence was transferred before birth to Rohini, who also desired a child. At birth, Krishna had a darker complexion, while Balarama was born fair. The other name of Balarama is Sankarshana, meaning a spirit transferred between two wombs. According to Bhagavata Purana, the name Sankarshana means, "one who brings together two different families" of King Yadu's and King Nanda's dynasties.

Balarama (magazine)

Balarama (literally "Joy of Kids") is an Indian comic magazine published by MM Publications Ltd., of Malayala Manorama group from Kottayam, Kerala in Malayalam-language. It is one of the most largely read comic magazines in India. Starting as a monthly in 1972, it became a fortnightly periodical in November 1984, before finally settling as a weekly in 1999.

Balarama played a major role in the development of children's literature in Malayalam. The magazine also helped to promote reading habit among the Malayalee children. Along with the comics (original or syndicated), the content includes fables, rhymes, literally classics and various puzzles. Much like Disney, most of the artists in Balarama usually work under the restrictions of anonymity. other members of the balarama family include the Balarama Digest a weekly that covers a different general topic in each issue this publication has won critical and public appreciation owing to its rich content and accuracy.

The American comics syndicated by the magazine include Disney comics, Spider-Man, Henry, Batman, The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician.

Balarama (elephant)

Balarama (born c. 1958) was the lead elephant of the world famous Mysore Dasara procession and carried the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari on the fabled Golden Howdah for a thirteen times between 1999 and 2011. Balarama is a bull born about 1958 and is accompanied in the procession by other Dasara Elephants. Of the many (about 16) elephants participating, Balarama was one of the star attraction when he carried on his back the sacred idol of goddess Chamundeshwari in the 800 kilograms (1,800 lb) golden howdah on the auspicious 10th day of Dasara celebrations.

History

Balarama was captured in 1987 in the Kattepura forest near Somwarpet, in the Kodagu region of Karnataka. Balarama has taken part in the Dasara procession since 1994, carrying the golden howdah. A very silent bull (against the norm for elephants), he is said to be an introvert, and has to have special training so he can withstand the firing of canons that occurs during the festival.

He succeeded Drona as the carrier of the Golden Howdah.