(Hinduism, Sanskrit: bala + ramana)

In the Hindu epic the Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam, the son of Vasudeva and Rohini. He was the elder brother of Krishna. Also known as Sankarshana, he was the nineteenth of the purusha incarnations of Vishnu, and is described in text 23 of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, ch. 3 (noded here).

He is the first personal expansion of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All other incarnations expand from Him. In Lord Krishna's pastimes, He plays as Krishna's older brother. Together Krishna and Balarama enact many pastimes as cowherd boys in the land of Vrndavana. Lord Balarama carries a plow and club and is known for His great strength.

(See Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter 5.)

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