Lord Balarma Balarma Lord The Original Bhakta-Avatra

R RmAd GOUR GOVINDA SWAMI MAHRJA

The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Lord Balarma

Table of Contents
Magalcaraa
Glorification of rmad-Bhgavatam i

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra Part One The Appearance of Lord Balarma
Balarma Serves Ka by Assuming Ten Forms Devaks Womb Remained Untouched What Is the Mystery? The Six Enemies Rohis Womb Became Ananta Dhama Baladeva Appeared on rvaa Prim Balarma Serves in Five Other Forms The Three Purua-Avatras Mah-Sakaraa Is the Shelter of All Jvas

1 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 12 13

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra Part Two Lord Balarmas Inconceivable Strength
r Baladeva Prama The Three Names of Balarma The Original Cause of Ka-Kath The Four Anarthas The Lord of Sandhin-akti Balarma Is Nitynanda balarma ha-ila niti You Cannot Obtain Ka by Your Own Effort The Root Cause of All Spiritual Strength
Front cover painting, inside painting and watermark Vrindavan Das. Used with permission.

15 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21

The Original Sakaraa 21 The Strength of the Lords Incarnations 22 Lord Balarma Gives Us Strength 23 Lord Balarma Is the Second Body of Ka 24 Why Did He Come in the Womb of Devak? 24 Viu-Vaiava-Vidve 25 Balarma Exposes Hypocrites Who Pose as Vaiavas 25 Gurudeva Is Lord Balarmas Manifestation 26 The Dharma of All Jvas Offer Worship to Lord Balarma 26 There Is No Other Way 26 First Baladeva and Then Ka Will Appear in Your Heart 27 Baladevas Kp Is Our Only Requirement 28 How to Take Part in Ka-Janmotsava 28 The Manifestation of Balarmas Mercy Is Gurudeva 29 Is There Anyone Who Is Not Ka-Dasa? 30 The Prem-Bhakta Is Most Dear to Ka 31 Only a Bhakta Can Relish Ka-Mdhurya 33 Become a Devotee and Relish More 35

Questions & Answers

Without Balarmas Mercy There Is No Hope Guru-Kp Is Our Only Asset Gurus Merciful Glance 36 36 37

The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Lord Balarma

R Rmad GOUR GOVINDA SWAMI MAHRJA

Part one is a morning lecture and part two an evening lecture delivered by r rmad Gour Govinda Swami Mahrja on 21st September 1994, Barcelona, Spain.

Glorification of rmad-Bhgavatam

Magalcaraa

nryaa namasktya nara caiva narottamam dev sarasvat vysa tato jayam udrayet
Before reciting this rmad-Bhgavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Nryaa, unto Nara-nryaa i, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvat, the goddess of learning, and unto rla Vysadeva, the author. (rmad-Bhgavatam 1.2.4)

vede rmyae caiva pure bhrate tath dv ante ca madhye ca hari sarvatra gyate
In the Vedic literature, including the Rmyaa, Puras and Mahbhrata, from the very beginning (dau) to the end (ante ca), as well as within the middle (madhye ca), only Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is explained. (Harivaa, cited in r Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 7.131 purport)

mka karoti vcla pagu laghayate girim yat-kp tam aha vande paramnanda-mdhavam
The Supreme Personality of Godhead has the form of saccid-nanda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1]transcendental bliss, knowledge and eternity. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him, who turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains. Such is the mercy of the Lord. (Caitanyacaritmta, Madhya-ll 17.80)

paramnanda he mdhava padungluci makaranda se-makaranda pna-kari anande bolo hari hari harinka nme vanda vel pri karive ck-dol se ck-dlonka-payare mano-mo rahu nirantare mano mo nirantare rahu h-ka boli jva ju h-ka bali ju jva mote udhara rdh-dhava mote uddhara rdh-dhava mote udhara rdh-dhava

ii

O supremely blissful Mdhava! The nectar is coming from Your lotus feet. Drinking that nectar, I blissfully sing Hari! Hari! Taking the name of Hari, I am binding a raft on which Lord Jaganntha will ferry me across this ocean of material existence. May my mind always remain at the lotus feet of that Lord Jaganntha who has very large round eyes. In this way, I call out, Alas! Ka! and give up my life. O husband of Rdhr, please deliver me.

dharma projjhita-kaitavo tra paramo nirmatsar satam vedya vstavam atra vastu ivada tpa-trayonmlanam rmad-bhgavate mah-muni-kte kim v parair vara sadyo hdy avarudhyate tra ktibhi urubhis tat-ksat
Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhgavata Pura propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhgavatam, compiled by the great sage Vysadeva [in his maturity], is sufficient in itself for God realisation. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart. (rmad-Bhgavatam 1.1.2)

nigama-kalpa-taror galita phala uka-mukh amta-drava-sayutam pibata bhgavata rasam layam muhur aho rasik bhuvi bhvuk
The rmad-Bhgavatam is the essence of all Vedic literatures, and it is considered the ripened fruit of the wishfulfilling tree of Vedic knowledge. It has been sweetened by

iii

emanating from the mouth of ukadeva Gosvm. You who are thoughtful and who relish mellows should always try to taste this ripened fruit. O thoughtful devotees, as long as you are not absorbed in transcendental bliss, you should continue tasting this rmad-Bhgavatam, and when you are fully absorbed in bliss, you should go on tasting its mellows forever. (rmadBhgavatam 1.1.3)

anarthopaama skd bhakti-yogam adhokaje lokasyjnato vidv cakre stvata-sahitm

The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vysadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth. (rmad-Bhgavatam 1.7.6)

yasy vai ryamy ke parama-prue bhaktir utpadyate pusa oka-moha-bhaypah

Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord Ka, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness. (rmad-Bhgavatam 1.7.7)

rmad-bhgavata puram amala yad vaiavn priya yasmin pramahasyam ekam amala jna para gyate

iv

tatra jna-virga-bhakti-sahita naikarmyam viskta tac chvan su-pahan vicraa-paro bhakty vimucyen nara
rmad-Bhgavatam is the spotless Pura. It is most dear to the Vaiavas because it describes the pure and supreme knowledge of the paramahasas. This Bhgavatam reveals the means for becoming free from all material work, together with the processes of transcendental knowledge, renunciation and devotion. Anyone who seriously tries to understand rmadBhgavatam, who properly hears and chants it with devotion, becomes completely liberated. (rmad-Bhgavatam 12.13.18)

artho yam brahma-strm bhratrtha-viniraya gyatr-bhya-rpo sau vedrtha-paribhita

The meaning of the Vednta-stras, the full purport of the Mahbhrata, the commentary on Brahma-gyatr, and the fully expanded knowledge of the Vedas are all present in the rmad-Bhgavatam. (Garua Pura)

sarva-vedetihsn sra sra samuddhtam

The essence of all Vedic literature and all histories has been collected in rmad-Bhgavatam. (from rmadBhgavatam 1.3.41)

sarva-vednta-sra hi r-bhgavatam iyate tad-rasmta-tptasya nnyatra syd rati kvacit v

rmad-Bhgavatam is declared to be the essence of all Vednta philosophy. One who has felt satisfaction from its nectarean mellow will never be attracted to any other literature. (rmad-Bhgavatam 12.13.15)

ka-bhakti-rasa-svarpa r-bhgavata tte veda-stra haite parama mahattva

rmad-Bhgavatam gives direct information of the mellow derived from service to Ka. Therefore rmad-Bhgavatam is above all other Vedic literatures. (Caitanya-caritmta, Madhya-ll 25.150)

cri-veda-upaniade yata kichu haya tra artha la vysa karil sacaya

Vysadeva collected whatever Vedic conclusions were in the four Vedas and 108 Upaniads and placed them in the aphorisms of the Vednta-stra. (Caitanya-caritmta, Madhya-ll 25.98)

yei stre yei k-viaya-vacana bhgavate sei k loke nibandhana

In the Vednta-stra, the purport of all Vedic knowledge is explained, and in rmad-Bhgavatam the same purport has been explained in eighteen thousand verses. (Caitanyacaritmta, Madhya-ll 25.99)

jvera nistra lgi stra kaila vysa myvdi-bhya unile haya sarva-na

vi

rla Vysadeva presented the Vednta philosophy for the deliverance of conditioned souls, but if one hears the commentary of akarcrya, everything is spoiled. (Caitanya-caritmta, Madhya-ll 6.169)

yha, bhgavata paa vaiavera sthne eknta raya kara caitanya-carae

If you want to understand rmad-Bhgavatam, he said, you must approach a self-realised Vaiava and hear from him. You can do this when you have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of r Caitanya Mahprabhu. (Caitanyacaritmta, Antya-ll 5.131)

bhgavata ye n mne, seyavana-sama tra st che janme-janme prabhu yama

One who does not accept rmad-Bhgavatam is no better than a Yavana, and Lord Yamarja punishes him birth after birth. (Caitanya-bhgavata, di-khaa 1.39)

hare ka hare ka ka ka hare hare hare rma hare rma rma rma hare hare

vii

The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Lord Balarma

Part One

The Appearance of Lord Balarma

te pit niviviu kuru-pacla-kekayn lvn vidarbhn niadhn videhn koaln api

Persecuted by the demoniac kings, the Ydavas left their own kingdom and entered various others, like those of the Kurus, Paclas, Kekayas, lvas, Vidarbhas, Niadhas, Videhas and Koalas. (rmad-Bhgavatam 10.2.3)

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

eke tam anurundhn jtaya paryupsate hateu asu bleu devaky augrasenin saptamo vaiava dhma yam ananta pracakate garbho babhva devaky hara-oka-vivardhana
Some of their relatives, however, began to follow Kasas principles and act in his service. After Kasa, the son of Ugrasena, killed the six sons of Devak, a plenary portion of Ka entered her womb as her seventh child, arousing her pleasure and her lamentation. That plenary portion is celebrated by great sages as Ananta, who belongs to Kas second quadruple expansion. (rmad-Bhgavatam 10.2.4-5) Some of the chief devotees, such as Akrra, stayed with Kasa to satisfy him. This they did for various purposes. They all expected the Supreme Personality of Godhead to appear as the eighth child as soon as Devaks other children were killed by Kasa, and they were eagerly awaiting His appearance. By remaining in Kasas association, they would be able to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead take birth and display His childhood pastimes, and Akrra would later go to Vndvana to bring Ka and Balarma to Mathur. The word paryupsate is significant because it indicates that some devotees wanted to stay near Kasa in order to see all these pastimes of the Lord. The six children killed by Kasa had formerly been sons of Marci, but because of having been cursed by a brhmaa, they were obliged to take birth as grandsons of Hirayakaipu. Kasa had taken birth as Klanemi, and now he was obliged

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

to kill his own sons. This was a mystery. As soon as the sons of Devak were killed, they would return to their original place. The devotees wanted to see this also. Generally speaking, no one kills his own nephews, but Kasa was so cruel that he did so without hesitation. Ananta, Sakaraa, belongs to the second catur-vyha, or quadruple expansion. This is the opinion of experienced commentators. (rmad-Bhgavatam 10.2.4-5 purport)

Some of the chief devotees such as Akrra stayed with Kasa to satisfy him. Kasa had already killed Devaks six sons when the seventh pregnancy arrived, which gave her simultaneously pleasure and lamentation. The plenary portion who belongs to Kas second quadruple expansion is celebrated by great sages as Ananta. When Devakis seventh pregnancy came, Vasudevas second wife Rohi was also pregnant. When Vasudeva saw that Rohi was pregnant he sent her to Nanda-gokula. It is stated in the tenth canto, gaccha devi vraja bhadre gopa-gobhir alaktam rohi vasudevasya bhryste nanda-gokule any ca kasa-savign vivareu vasanti hi
The Lord ordered Yogamy, O My potency, You are worshipable for the entire world and Your nature is to bestow good fortune upon all living entities. Go to Vraja, where there live many cowherd men and their wives. In that very beautiful land, where many cows reside, Rohi, the wife of Vasudeva, is living at the home of Nanda Mahrja. Other wives of

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Vasudeva are living there incognito also, because of fear of Kasa. Please go there. (rmad-Bhgavatam 10.2.7)

devaky jahare garbha ekhya dhma mmakam tat sannikya rohiy udare sanniveaya
Within the womb of Devak is My partial plenary expansion known as Sakaraa or ea. Without difficulty, transfer Him into the womb of Rohi. (rmad-Bhgavatam 10.2.8)

The partial expansion of Ka is Sakaraa or ea. ea carries the material universe on one of His hoods as though it is a mustard seed. He is also known as Anantadeva who carries unlimited brahmas on His hoods. Anantadeva always speaks ka-katha and glorifies Ka with His unlimited mouths, ananta-mukha. He has been doing this since time immemorial, but He has not finished yet. Lord Balarma is the eternal son of Rohi. However, He appeared first in the womb of Devak before being transferred by Yogamy from Devaks womb to Rohis womb. Why did He appear first in the womb of Devak? Why did He not appear directly in the womb of Rohi? Why was Yogamy directed to transfer Him? That is the question. Can anyone answer? Devotee: He prepared the womb of Devak for Kas descent? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Why did Balarma prepare the womb? Why not someone else? Devotee: Balarma is in the mood of dsya-rasa to Ka, so He comes and makes all preparations for Kas arrival, and He does this in the mood of a servant.

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Balarma is always in the mood of dsya-rasa. There are two rasas; sakhya and dsya. He is the elder brother of Ka. It is said in Caitanya-caritmta: nera ki kath, baladeva mahaya yra bhvauddha-sakhya-vtsalydi-maya
What to speak of others, even Lord Baladeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is full of emotions like pure friendship and paternal love. (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.76)

teho panke karena dsa-bhvan ka-dsa-bhva vinu che kona jan

He also considers Himself a servant of Lord Ka. Indeed, who is there who does not have this conception of being a servant of Lord Ka? (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.77)

Balarma thinks Himself to be a servant of Ka, and therefore He always serves Ka.

Balarma Serves Ka by Assuming Ten Forms

sahasra-vadane yeho ea-sakaraa daa deha dhari kare kera sevana
He who is ea, Sakaraa, with His thousands of mouths, serves r Ka by assuming ten forms. (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.78)

Balarma assumes ten forms for the service of Ka as His bed, sana, cushion, cmara, shoes, fan, umbrella, garments,

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra ornaments and sacred thread. In these ten forms He serves Krsna. He appeared first in the womb of Devak to serve as a bed. It was by the indication of Ka that He came into her womb. He came to purify her womb and to spread a bed for Ka. Then Ka ordered Yogamy to transfer Him from Devaks womb to Rohis womb, and thus He was transferred by Yogamy.

How Can Six Material Sons Appear in Devaks Womb?

When Devak was pregnant for the seventh time, Rohi was also pregnant. When Yogamy transferred Balarma into her womb, Rohi felt it to be just like a dream. They both could not feel anything. A question arises here. Devak is the mother of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so her womb is not a material womb. Devak is uddha-sattva-maya [of purely spiritual existence]. How is it that six material sons appeared in her womb to be later killed by Kamsa? Can you answer this question? Devotee: These sons represent the six bad qualities. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: What are those bad qualities? Devotee: Anger, lust, illusion, greed, envy, madness. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: No, that is not a fact. I will speak about this later, but my question is different: How is it possible that six material sons came and entered Devaks womb, which is uddha-sattva-my?

Devaks Womb Remained Untouched

Devotee: The womb of Devak was untouched just like the body of Mah-Viu is untouched by the jvas that enter into Him at 6

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra the time of annihilation. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: That is the answer. He knows the answer. When there is a mah-pralaya, or complete annihilation, the jvas and material nature enter into the body of Mah-Viu, yet He remains untouched. Similarly these six material sons entered into the womb of Devak yet her uddha-sattva-maya womb remained untouched. This is possible by the yogaivarya of Bhagavn. In Bhagavad-gt in the ninth chapter Ka has said, may tatam ida sarva jagad avyakta-mrtin mat-sthni sarva-bhtni na cha tev avasthita All beings are in Me, but I am not in them. They are there, but Ka has no connection with the jvas, He is always in the spiritual kingdom. Similarly the six sons came into the womb of Devak but she remained untouched and had no connection with them.

What Is the Mystery?

So who are the six sons of Devak? Why did they come there? rla Prabhupda states in his purport that this is a mystery, The six children killed by Kasa had formerly been sons of Marci, but because of having been cursed by a brhmaa, they were obliged to take birth as grandsons of Hirayakaipu. Kasa had taken birth as Klanemi, and now he was obliged to kill his own sons. This was a mystery. What is the mystery?

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra An asura named Klanemi, who later took birth as Kasa, had six sons. Their names were Hasa, Suvikrama, Krtha, Damana, Ripurmardana and Krodhahant. They were known as a-garbhas, six garbhas. They were very powerful and expert in military affairs. These six garbhas gave up the association of Hirayakaipu, their grandfather, and underwent austerities to satisfy Lord Brahm. Brahm-ji asked them what boon they wanted. The a-garbhas replied, Dear Brahm, if you want to give us a benediction please give us the boon that we will not be killed by any demigods, mahroga, Yaka, Gandharva-pati, Siddha, Craa or human being, nor by any great sages. They asked for this boon and Brahma said, All right, tathstu, granted. Hirayakaipu came to know this and became very angry with his grandsons. He said to them, You have given up my association and gone to worship Lord Brahm. I no longer have any affection for you. You have tried to save yourselves from the hands of demigods but I curse you that your father will take birth as Kasa and kill you, therefore you will take birth as the sons of Devak. Because of this curse the a-garbhas had to take birth in the womb of Devak and were killed by Kasa who was previously their father Klanemi, the son of Hirayakaipu. This is mentioned in the Hari-vaa and Viu-parva. According to the comments of Vaiava-toa by rla Jva Gosvm the sons of Devak were in their first incarnation the sons of Marci. In their second incarnation they were the sons of Klanemi and in the third incarnation they were the sons of Devak. When they were killed, where did they go? They went to the planet Sutala, the abode of Bali Mahrja. When Akrra brought Rma and Ka to Mathur, Devak said to Them, I want to see my six sons. So, Rma and Ka went to that padam, Bali Mahrjas residence, and brought back 8

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra Their six brothers and offered them to mother Devak. At that time, out of affection, Devak allowed her youngest son Ka to suck her breast. Previously in the prison house of Kasa, Ka had appeared in His four handed form; Vasudeva form. Devak offered prayers and requested Him, Please become a little child. Then He became a child and ordered, Take Me to Nanda-gokula. At that time He had not sucked the breast of Devak. Ka is originally the son of Yaod-mata, known as Yaod-nandana, so He used to suck the breast of Yaod, but now He was sucking the breast of Devak. Thus when Rma and Ka brought back Their six brothers from Sutala, Devak first allowed her youngest son Ka to suck her breast. Then she allowed her six other sons to suck her breast. They were having the breast milk, which was first taken by Ka and therefore was Kas remnants. By taking the remnants of Ka they went back to the planet of the demigods.

The Six Enemies

In their first incarnation they were the sons of Marci. Their father Marci was the son of Lord Brahm. He was born from his mind. These six sons of Marci are the six enemies, which are present in the mind. It is said that they are six types of material enjoyment, sad viaya-bhoga. What are they? They are the paca-tanmtr; abda, spara, rpa, rasa, and gandha. Do you understand what the paca-tanmtr is? They are the five objects of sense enjoyment, sound, touch, form, taste and smell. They are enjoyed in the mind, and these five objects plus the mind makes six, sad viaya-bhoga. Devak was a bhakta-avatra and the Supreme Lord appeared in her womb. Whereas Kasa was always afraid of Ka, as though Ka was time Himself, coming to devour and kill him. When

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra Kasa heard the name of Ka he would become so afraid. Kasa is bhaya-avatra, the incarnation of fear. When Kasa killed the six sons, who are the representatives of sad viaya-bhoga, then Devaks womb became uddha-sattvamaya. Similarly, when the sad viaya-bhoga, the five objects of enjoyment, plus the stupid mind are dead, then pure devotion arises. By hearing from the lips of a bona fide sdhu guru and by chanting what you have heard, these sad viaya-bhoga will gradually be diminished and at last will be completely done away with. Then uddha-bhakti arises. When the six sons of Devak will be destroyed, the seventh pregnancy will be Anantadeva or Baladeva. He, who takes the form of a bed for Ka. Then the eighth pregnancy is the one in which the Supreme Lord appears.

Rohis Womb Became Ananta Dhama

When Rohi was three months pregnant Vasudeva sent her to Nanda-gokula very secretly. No one knew of it. He sent her on an evening in the month of rvaa. Today is the full moon day of that month; rvaa Prim. On this day Balarma appears. Rohi came to the house of Nanda Mahrja riding on a horse. As soon as Rohini came to the residence of Nanda Maharaja all auspiciousness came also. All of Nandas family members and the cowherd men were very joyful and Yaod and all the other gops, cowherd women, were also very glad and joyful. Yaod and Rohi were very intimate friends. The fact that Rohi had been pregnant for three months when she came to Nanda-gokula is mentioned in Jva Gosvms Gopla-camp. Ka appeared in the womb of Yaod in the month of Mgha, in the first day of the dark fortnight. He appeared at that time with Yogamy.

10

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra In the seventh month of Rohis pregnancy Yogamy arranged for Devak to appear to have a miscarriage and Balarma was taken and placed in the womb of Rohi. When Balarma was transferred to Rohis womb she was in a deep sleep and it felt just like a dream to her. Rohis womb had become Ananta Dhama and Nanda-gokula manifested many auspicious signs as a result. From the day Rohi arrived, there were daily great festivals in Nanda Mahrjas residence. All the cowherd men and women were feeling great and wonderful joyfulness within their minds.

Baladeva Appeared on rvaa Prim

Calculate how many months it took before Balarma came out of the womb of Rohi. Up to the month of Mgha it was a seven-month pregnancy, but Baladeva appeared in this month, on rvaa Prim. Seven months plus Mgha, Phlguna, Caitra, Vaikha, Jyaiha, ha, rvaa, makes it fourteen months of pregnancy when Balarma appeared. It was an all-auspicious moment during the nakatra of rvaa that the child appeared on this full moon day. The whole of Gokula was very joyful and blissful. Baby Balarmas bodily complexion was as white as the full moon. His arms were very long, jnu-lambita-bhujau. His eyes were like fully blossomed lotuses. His nose was prominent; all the symptoms of a Mahpurua were there in His body. When Lord Balarma came out from the womb of Rohi, the demigods and the demigoddesses from their heavenly planets said, Jaya, jaya Balarma! They played kettledrums and many other musical instruments and showered flowers on the residence of Nanda Mahrja. After the appearance of Balarma the whole of Gokula was filled with all kinds of opulence. When a child is born one type

11

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra of purificatory ceremony takes place, known as jta-saskra. Vasudeva sent brhmaas to Nanda Mahrjas residence in Gokula to perform that saskra.

Balarma Serves in Five Other Forms

Balarma serves r Ka by assuming ten forms, daa deha dhari kare kera sevana, but it is also said that Balarma in five other forms, paca-rpa, always helps Ka in His lls. These five forms are Sakaraa, Ananta ea, and the three purua-avatras Kraodakay Viu, Garbhodakay Viu and Krodakay Viu. Balarma is the original Sakaraa, Mla-sakaraa. He always stays with Ka in Mathur and Dvrak and serves Ka as the original Sakaraa. As Ananta ea since time immemorial, He has been singing the glories of Ka, ka-kath, bhgavat-kath, and has not come to the end of those glories. Also, as Ananta ea, He holds unlimited brahmas on His hoods. In the form of the three purua-avatras He serves Ka in His sill [the pastime of creation] in this material world.

The Three Purua-Avatras

The first purua-avatra Kraodakay Viu, or Mah-Viu, is the prakti-antarym-purua. While lying on the Kraa Ocean He casts His glance on the material nature and thereby impregnates it. Unlimited brahmas come out from the pores of His skin at that time. As the second purua-avatra, Garbhodakay Viu, He enters into each brahma, and is known as brahmaantarym. As the third purua-avatra, Krodakay Viu, He enters into the heart of all living entities as Paramtm and is known at that time as bhta-antarym. In this way He helps Ka 12

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra perform His lls in five different forms. Though these three puruaavatras, Kraodakay, Garbhodakay and Krodakay Viu deal with my, the material energy, still, they are not in touch with my.

Mah-Sakaraa Is the Shelter of All Jvas

Baladeva is Mla-sakaraa, the original Sakaraa, and His expansion that lives in Vaikuha is called Mah-sakaraa. The jvas take shelter of Mah-sakaraa. rla Kadsa Kavirja Gosvm has mentioned this and rla Jva Gosvm has also mentioned it in the Sandarbhas. jva-nma taasthkhya eka akti haya mah-sakaraasaba jvera raya
There is one marginal potency, known as the jva. Mahsakaraa is the shelter of all jvas. (Caitanya-caritmta, dilila 5.45)

One of the potencies or energies of the Lord is known as the taasth-akti, marginal potency, or jva akti. Mah-sakaraa saba jvera raya, the taasth-jvas take shelter of Mahsakaraa. In the Sandarbha rla Jva Gosvm has mentioned that the taasth-akti jvas are paramtm-vaibhava of Paramtm. The jvas are mamaivo jva-loke, an amsa, part and parcel, of Paramtm. Thus Balarma helps Ka in all His lls including His sill. He helps Krsna in His vndvana-ll, in His mathur-ll, in His dvrak-ll, in His vaikuha-ll and si-ll, in all these 13

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra different forms just mentioned. In Dvrak He is di Caturvyha, in Mathur He is Mlasakaraa. In the form of Mla-sakaraa, as the first quadruple expansion, He always stays with Krsna in Mathur and Dvrak. As Mah-sakaraa, the second quadruple expansion He stays in Vaikuha and expands as Vasudeva, Sakaraa, Aniruddha and Pradumnya, and in nitya Gokula He stays in the form of Balarma.

14

The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Lord Balarma

Part Two

Lord Balarmas Inconceivable Strength

Thank you, one and all, for giving me an opportunity to speak hari-kath, especially about r r Balarmaj. Today is a most auspicious day, the day that Lord Balarma appeared. This morning we discussed something about Lord Balarma however I did not finish; there is something more I would like to speak on Balarma.

r Baladeva Prama
First we will offer prama to Balarma. I will recite this mantra, and request one and all to repeat it: nmas te halgraha nmas te mualyudha nmas te revat-knta nmas te bhakta-vatsala

15

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra nmas te balan reha nmas te dhara-dhara pralambre nmas te stu trhi ma ka-prvaja
Obeisances to You, O holder of the plow. Obeisances to You, O wielder of the club. Obeisances to You, O beloved of Revat. Obeisances to You, O most affectionate to Your devotees. Obeisances to You, O upholder of the earth. Obeisances to You, O strength of the strong. Obeisances to You, O enemy of Pralamba. Please be merciful and protect me, O elder brother of Ka.

r Balarmaj ki-jaya! Balarmaj subha-virbhva tithi ki-jaya!

The Three Names of Balarma

This morning I was speaking about how Vasudeva sent brhmaas to Vrajabhmi to perform Balarmas name-giving purificatory ceremony. Gargamuni gave three names to Balarma, the first name is Rma, second is Sakaraa, and the third name is Balabhadra. In the tenth canto of rmad-Bhgavatam it has been stated, garbha-sakarat ta vai prhu sakaraa bhuvi rmeti loka-ramad balabhadra balocchrayt
The son of Rohi will also be celebrated as Sakaraa because of being sent from the womb of Devak to the womb of Rohi. He will be called Rma because of His ability to

16

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

please all the inhabitants of Gokula, and He will be known as Balabhadra because of His extensive physical strength. (rmad-Bhgavatam 10.2.13)

He is garbha-sakarana, which means that Yogamy took Him from the womb of Devak and put Him in the womb of Rohi. Therefore, His name is Sakaraa. The name Rma also means one who gives pleasure to one and all. Especially Lord Balarma instills ka-rati, ka-prema in the devoted bhaktas, especially those who are greatly devoted to Lord Balarma and Lord Ka. Therefore He is known as Rma. He is known as Balabhadra, bala-ucchrayt, because of His extensive bodily strength. He is very strong. No one can equal Him in physical strength. Baladeva is the original Sakaraa, and His plenary portion, Mah-Sakaraa, lives in Vaikuha. In Ptla, there is another portion, plenary portion of Baladeva known as Sakaraa or ea. That ea is also known as Anantadeva, who has unlimited hoods. That Anantadeva, ea carries this material universe, as if it were a mustard seed, on one of His hoods. Therefore He is known as Dharai-dhara; dharai means earth. One who carries the earth He is Dharai-dhara.

The Original Cause of Ka-Kath

This sakaraa-avatra, ea, is a wonderful and extremely great orator. He has been speaking bhgavata-kath, kakath from time immemorial and has not yet finished. The four Kumras lead by Sanaka are hearing rmad-Bhgavatam from Him. Those Vaiavas who do hari-krtana and speak ka-kath very eloquently, obtain their strength from this great orator ea Prabhu, Anantaea, who is a plenary portion of Balarma. Thus sakaraa-avatra, ea Prabhu, is the original cause of this 17

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra oration of ka-kath. In the material world there are many people who speak very eloquently on material topics, and that power of oration is the perverted reflection of the original orator, ea Prabhu. If one is fortunate and obtains the mercy of Balarma, his anarthas, especially the anartha known as hdaya-daurbalya, will be destroyed and he will develop rati, prema towards Ka.

The Four Anarthas

According to Bhakti-rasmta-sindhu, written by rla Rupa Gosvm, there are four types of anarthas. 1. asat-t 2. hdaya-daurbalya 3. viamay-apardha 4. svarpa-bhrama, or tattva-bhrama. The anartha asat-t means cherishing desires separate from Ka. Asat-t has four types: pra-trikeu caia, desiring material enjoyment in this life; aihikevaia, desiring enjoyment in the next life; bhukti-kma, desire for mystic powers; mukti-kma, desiring liberation. The second anartha is hdaya-daurbalya. I speak about hdayadaurbalya in particular because Balarma Prabhu especially destroys this anartha. It has four types: ke tara-viaya aakti, attachments separate from Ka; kuin, that means kpaya, duplicity, crookedness, faultfinding nature; parasktra or mtsarya, envy; and pratih, desiring name, fame and adoration. Balarma Prabhu especially destroys this hdaya-daurbalya anartha.

18

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra The third anartha is viamay-apardha, offences. This anartha also has four types: nma-apardha, svarpa-apardha, vaiavaapardha, and apardha committed with other persons. The fourth anartha is svarpa-bhrama or tattva-bhrama, misconception about tattva. There are also four types: 1. sva-tattve-bhrama: the misconception of ones own identity, jva-tattva. 2. krsna-tattve-bhrama: the misconception of ka-tattva. 3. sdhya-sdhana-tattve-bhrama: the misconception about the processes of sdhana and prema-bhakti. 4. virodh-viaya-bhrama: the misconception of opposing tattva. Balarma Prabhu especially destroys hdaya-daurbalya anartha. That is kuin or kpaya, crookedness, faultfinding nature; mtsarya, envy; pratih, desiring name, fame and adoration. When a devotee is very, very fortunate, Balarma showers His mercy upon him and this anartha is destroyed, as a result karati, ka-prema arises in the heart. Therefore He is known as Rma.

The Lord of Sandhin-akti

The Supreme Lords internal potency is divided into three divisions: sat, cit, nanda sad-ae-sandhin, cid-ae-savit, nande-hldin. Sandhin, savit, and hldin. Lord Balarma, in particular, is the Lord of sandhin-akti. Unless one receives the mercy from Lord Balarma, who is the Lord of sandhin-akti, he or she cannot develop rati, prema towards Rdh-Govinda.

19

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Balarma Is Nitynanda
balarma ha-ila niti Therefore, in his Prrthan song, Niti-pada-kamala, Narottama dsa hkura sings: hena niti bine bhi rdh-ka pite ni dha kari dhara nitiyera pya Nitynanda is Balarma, balarma ha-ila niti. He, who is Balarma with Ka, is Nitynanda with Gaura. Therefore, hena niti bine bhi rdh-ka pite ni, without the mercy of Nitynanda-Rma no one can get Rdh-Ka. Therefore Narottama dsa hkura requests everyone to clasp tightly the two lotus feet of Nitynanda.

You Cannot Obtain Ka by Your Own Effort

Lord Balarma is the Lord of sandhin-akti. Therefore, by receiving His mercy one will acquire ka-sandhna. That means, if someone is fortunate, Balarma inculcates akti unto him and receiving that mercy will give him the clue on how to find Ka. You cannot find or obtain Ka by your own effort. Those people who try to find Ka or try to understand Ka through their own effort are called avaroha-vds. That means they accept the ascending process. Generally they are Myvds or Brahmavds. What is their fate or destination? They become nirviea-vdi, impersonalists. They fall down and enter into lower species, and take birth as trees or mountains, sthvar yoni. Vaiavas accept Lord Balarma and beg for His mercy. Being in receipt of Lord Balarmas mercy they adopt the descending process, and as a 20

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra consequence they obtain the clue, how they can catch hold of the lotus feet of Ka.

The Root Cause of All Spiritual Strength

Because of His extensive physical strength, balabhadra balocchrayt, Balarmas third name s Balabhadra. No one is as strong as Balarma or Balabhadra. He is the original, root cause of all spiritual strength. Even His aa-kal, portion of a portion of a portion, exhibits uncommon, extraordinary strength. An ordinary materialistic person, who is very puffed up because of possessing material knowledge or material strength, cannot exhibit such strength. What to speak of exhibiting strength, he cannot even conceive of such strength.

The Original Sakaraa

The original Sakaraa is Balarma. His expansion is Mah-Sakaraa, who lives in Vaikuha. Mah-Sakaraas plenary portion is Kraodakay Viu or Mah-viu, or the first purua-avatra. From Him comes the second purua-avatra, Garbhodakay Viu, and from Krodakay Viu all the incarnations come: Matsya, Krma, Varha, Rma, Nsiha, Hayara, Paraurma, Kalki etc. Therefore all these avatras are the portion of a portion of a portion of Lord Balarma, aa and kal. Aa, the portion of a portion is known as a kal. You cannot fathom, you cannot conceive of the strength They possess. Is there any person in the three planetary systems that can conceive of Their strength? Then what to speak of Balabhadras strength?

21

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

The Strength of the Lords Incarnations

An example is Matysa-deva, the fish incarnation. In the Svyambhuva-manvantara He appeared and killed a very fearful and powerful demon known as Hayagrva who stole all the Vedas. Then take the example of Krma-deva, the tortoise incarnation. The demigods and demons were churning the Milk Ocean. At that time the tortoise incarnation came and carried the mountain Mandarcala on His back. It was so big no one else could carry it. Therefore what great strength He possesses! Another example is Lord Varha, the boar incarnation. In the Svyambhuva-manvantara when the earth was gliding down to the lowest region, rastala, Varhadeva appeared and lifted the earth. Who can lift the earth? Therefore, what strength does He possess? No one can conceive of such strength. Again Varhadeva came in the sixth Caku-manvantara and killed the powerful demon Hirayka, the brother of Hirayakaipu. So what strength He possesses! Then Lord Rmacandra came, who killed the ten-headed Rvaa, who was so powerful He conquered the three planetary systems and who was engaging the demigods as his servants. So what immense strength He possesses! Another example is Lord Nsihadeva, who killed Hirayakaipu. Hirayakaipu had great strength and was extremely powerful; he had conquered the three worlds. He said, I am tri-lokadha, I am the lord of tri-loka, the three worlds. Prahlda, his five or six-year-old son, was a great devotee of the Lord. When he spoke about Bhagavn Nryaa, Ka, his father became his enemy and tried to kill him in so many ways. Such a powerful father could not kill his five or six-year-old son,

22

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra Prahlda. Why wasnt he able to do so? He was not able to kill him because Prahlda was a dear devotee of the Lord and a devotee is always protected by the Lord. Kal, the portion of a portion of a portion of Balarma is Nsihadeva. He infused great spiritual strength into the heart of His dear devotee Prahlda, therefore such a powerful demon as Hirayakaipu could not kill him. Another example is the Hayara incarnation. In that incarnation He killed the two demon brothers Madhu and Kaitava. They were extraordinarily powerful and were feared by everyone, hence in His Hayara-avatra, Lord Viu killed them and also rescued the Veda from them. So what strength He demonstrated thereby! Then there is the example of the Paraurma incarnation, who killed twenty-one generations of powerful katriyas because they were opposing brahminical culture. He was so powerful He freed the world of katriyas for twenty-one generations. The last example is Kalki. The Kalki-avatra descends to kill the atheists, people who do not admit the existence of the Lord, and He kills the thieves and murderers. They are very puffed up because of their physical strength. Therefore, when you analyse it in this way, you can understand, that if the plenary portions, the portions of the portions, aa kal of Lord Balarma have such extraordinary and uncommon strength, then how great is the strength of the original Sakaraa, Lord Balarma?

Lord Balarma Gives Us Strength

I was also speaking this morning about the third puruaavatra, Krodakay Viu, who remains in the heart of all jvas as dvei antarym, and is a portion of the portion of the portion

23

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra of the portion of Balarma. Because He resides in our heart and gives us strength, we are able to exhibit some strength. That is the merciful strength of Lord Balarma. If He would not reside in our heart, where would we gain strength? If He withdraws that strength then where is your strength? Your whole body will be paralysed and you will not be able to lift even a tiny piece of grass.

Lord Balarma Is the Second Body of Ka

Lord Balarma is the first expansion of Ka. It is mentioned that balarma ker dvitya-deha, Lord Balarma is the second body of Ka, and Balarma is always with Ka. Vara-mtrabheda, the only difference is the bodily complexion; Ka is yma, black, and Lord Balarma is ukla, white. Otherwise He is the same as Ka.

Why Did He Come in the Womb of Devak?

This morning we were discussing the verse devaky haraoka-vivardhana from the tenth canto. After Kasa, the son of Ugrasena, killed the six sons of Devak, a plenary portion of Ka entered her womb as her seventh child, arousing her pleasure and her lamentation. Simultaneously she experienced hara, pleasure, joyfulness, and oka, lamentation. Balarma is the original son of Rohi, rohini-nandana, rohinista. We discussed why He came in the womb of Devak. He came just to purify the womb of Devak, and to prepare the bed for Ka. Balarma serves Ka assuming ten forms. Then He left the portion of His portion, eadeva, Anantadeva there, who serves as the bed of Ka. Therefore He came. 24

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Viu-Vaiava-Vidve
Balarma killed many demons during His bhauma-ll, pastimes on this earth planet, asamordhva-ll. They were killed through His aa, a portion of His portion. Balarma killed Rukmi, who was iuplas friend, during a game of dice. Rukmi was an enemy to Ka, who was always blaspheming Ka and therefore was a great offender. Consequently Balarma killed him with His club, whereby He exhibited that those who oppose Viu and the Vaiavas will be killed by Lord Balarma. You should understand this point; viu-vaiava-vidve, people who oppose Viu and the Vaiavas, blaspheming and offending them, will eventually be killed by Lord Balarma. Lord Balarma exhibited that ll.

Balarma Exposes Hypocrites

Who Pose as Vaiavas

When Lord Balarma went on pilgrimage, visiting he trthas, holy places, trtha padaytr-ll, He killed Romaharaa Sta with a blade of grass in Naimiraya. Romaharaa was seated on his vyssana when Lord Balarma came, and he was so puffed up he refused to get up from his seat to greet Him, therefore Lord Balarma struck him with a blade of grass and killed him. Thereby Lord Balarma exposes the hypocrites who externally pose as Vaiavas, but internally are not Vaiavas. They are great hypocrites, known as dharmadvaj, dambhika, extremely puffed up people, Dont you know who I am? I am a great sdhu, a great crya, a great Vaiava. Dont you know that? The pride of such puffed up fellows and hypocrites, will be crushed by Balarma, as Lord Balarma crushed the pride of Roma-sta and killed him.

25

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Gurudeva Is Lord Balarmas Manifestation

Lord Balarma, as the Lord of sandhin-akti, provides the clue, how we can find Ka, get Ka. He serves Ka in ten forms. Therefore His manifestation is Gurudeva, who serves Ka in different forms. Offer Worship to Lord Balarma In order to glorify Kas unlimited qualities, with unlimited mouths, Balarma, through His aa kal, a portion of a portion, has assumed the form of Anantadeva. That Anantadeva carries this universe on one of His hoods as though it were no heavier than a mustard seed. Therefore, He is known as Dharai-dhara. All the spiritual strength we get is from Balarma. That is merciful strength. Therefore it is the dharma of all jvas of this world to offer worship to Lord Balarma. What doubt is there? This worship of Lord Balarma should be introduced throughout the world. If Lord Balarma is pleased then He inculcates spiritual strength unto one and all, then everyone becomes spiritually strong. If the people of the world can learn this truth, especially on this auspicious appearance day of Lord Balarma and begin offering worship to Lord Balarma, they will receive His mercy, thereby they will get spiritual strength, and their life will be successful.

The Dharma of All Jvas

There Is No Other Way

If they are wise and intelligent, everyone: man and woman, young and old, all the inhabitants of the universe should act upon this lesson and offer worship to Lord Balarma. Then they will get

26

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra cit-bala: the spiritual strength that Balarma is giving. They will be strong and they will be given the clue of how to find Ka. There is no doubt in it. Nnya panth vidyate yanya, there is no other way. On this auspicious day, Lord Balarmas appearance day, we the Vaiavas forcefully declare, Let all who offer worship to Lord Balarma, get His mercy and become spiritually strong! There is no other way to understand Ka, to get the clue of how to get Ka, and to find Ka, without the mercy of Balarma. Therefore r Vndvana dsa hkura, who is the Vysa of caitanya-ll, has sung: sasrera pra hai bhaktira sgare ye ubibe, se bhajuka niti-cdere
Those who wish to cross the ocean of material existence and drown in the ocean of devotional service should worship Lord Nitynanda.

One, who is very serious to know how to cross over this dreadful ocean of material existence and drown in the ocean of bhakti, should do the bhajana of Niticand, who is NitynandaRma, who is Balarma.

First Baladeva and Then Ka

Will Appear in Your Heart

We are observing this appearance day of Lord Balarma just eight days before Kas appearance. Why is that? That is because: first we must get the mercy from Lord Balarma. Then all our anarthas will be destroyed, especially that third type of anartha,

27

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra hdaya-daurbalya: kuin, crookedness; mtsarya, enviousness; pratih, fault-finding. When all of these anarthas are destroyed, the heart will be purified and we will get spiritual strength. That means that first Lord Baladeva will appear, and then Ka will appear in your heart. Otherwise there is no question of Ka appearing in your heart. That is why Lord Baladeva first came into the womb of Devak, and then Ka came. This is tattva. Without the appearance of Baladeva, there is no question of the appearance of Ka. Therefore without the mercy of Baladeva, no one can get the mercy of Rdh-Govinda.

Baladevas Kp Is Our Only Requirement

Baladeva is also known as Nitynanda-Rma, and Gurudeva is the manifestation of Nitynanda-Rma. Without the mercy of Gurudeva your heart cannot be purified, the anarthas will not be destroyed; therefore you will not be able to make Ka appear in your heart. This is our tattva. Baladevas kp is our only requirement, and what a great asset it is; the kp of Balarma! Therefore on this occasion, especially Baladevas kp, which is the manifestation of guru-kp, is our only requirement.

How to Take Part in Ka-Janmotsava

Nanda and Vasudeva had arranged a grand festival on the occasion of the appearance of Ka, ka-avirbhava-utsava, for Kas pleasure and enjoyment. We also arrange festivals. What is our purpose in arranging festivals? Devotee: For the pleasure of Ka. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: re bb, for materialists? 28

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra Devotee: For our sense gratification. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Yes. It is all external, all for giving pleasure to their own senses. We should understand that we are not able to take part in this great festival, ka-virbhva festival, unless great devotees who are completely surrendered at the lotus feet of guru-pda-padma arrange it. A materialistic person cannot understand the joyfulness, the happiness and the blissfulness that there is in the appearance of Ka. Only the Vrajavss, dear devotees like Nanda-Vasudeva, can understand this, otherwise no one can understand it. Ka appeared in His four-handed form in Kasas prison where Vasudeva was held captive. Vasudeva made a festival in his mind. The real janmotsava was a completely blossoming festival for Ka in Nanda-gokula, where all the Vrajavss took part. The Vrajavss are completely surrendered unto the lotus feet of Ka, and in body, mind and speech are always engaged in giving pleasure to the senses of Ka. Not to their senses. Only such devotees can make a festival, nandotsava. No one else can.

The Manifestation of Balarmas Mercy Is Gurudeva

Therefore, we take part today in observing the auspicious day of the appearance of Lord Balarma. We are begging Him to shower His mercy on us; to infuse that spiritual strength into our hearts, to destroy and completely root out all our anarthas and to enable us to take part in ka-janmotsava. Otherwise we have no hope at all of taking part in ka-janmotsava. Let this kp, this mercy of Balarma, in other words, the mercy whose manifestation is Gurudeva, guru-kp, be our only asset.

29

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Is There Anyone Who Is Not Ka-Dasa?

Devotee: It says that guru is the direct manifestation of Balarma. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Yes, Nitynanda-Rma. Devotee: So you were explaining that from Balarma there are so many aa and kal. So the guru, is he aa kal or full? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Full! Not aa kal. He is the manifestation of Nitynanda-Rma, not a manifestation of aa and kal. No. kera samat haite baa bhakta-pada tm haite kera bhakta haya premspada
The position of being a devotee is higher than that of equality with Lord Ka, for the devotees are dearer to Lord Ka than His own self. (Caitanya-caritmta di-ll 6.100)

No one will be equal to Ka. He said that in Bhagavad-gt, matta paratara nnyat kicid asti dhanajaya, No one is equal to Me, no one is superior to Me. This is asamordhva-tattva, asamardhva, unequalled and unsurpassed, no equal, and no superior. I spoke about this earlier, it is mentioned in r Caitanya-caritmta di-ll, nera ki kath, baladeva mahaya yra bhvauddha-sakhya-vtsalydi-maya
What to speak of others, even Lord Baladeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is full of emotions like pure friendship and paternal love. (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.76)

30

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra teho panke karena dsa-bhvan ka-dsa-bhva vinu che kona jan
He also considers Himself a servant of Lord Ka. Indeed, who is there who does not have this conception of being a servant of Lord Ka? (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.77)

Even Balarma, who is the second body of Ka, the first expansion of Ka, thinks, I am the servant of Ka. His mood is uddha-sakhya-vtsalya. If Balarma serves Ka in ten different forms then what to speak of others? Ka-dsa-bhva vinu che kona jan, is there anyone who is not ka-dasa? keha mne, keha n mne, saba tora dsa ye n mne, tra haya sei ppe na
Some accept Him, whereas others do not, yet everyone is His servant. One who does not accept Him, however, will be ruined by his sinful activities. (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.85)

The Prem-Bhakta Is Most Dear to Ka

The bhaktas, Vaiavas they know, Yes, we are ka-dsa. They accept it, but the atheists, the materialists, do not accept it. Those who do not accept commit apardha, ppa, sinful activity therefore they are completely vanquished because of their offence and ppa. In Caitanya-caritmta it is mentioned, kera samat haite baa bhakta-pada tm haite kera bhakta haya premspada

31

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

The position of being a devotee is higher than that of equality with Lord Ka, for the devotees are dearer to Lord Ka than His own self. (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.100)

tm haite ka bhakte baa kari mne ihte bahuta stra-vacana prame

Lord Ka considers His devotees greater than Himself. In this connection the scriptures provide an abundance of evidence. (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.101)

No one will be equal to Ka, but if you will become His dear devotee, Ka will make you greater than Him, tm haite kera bhakta haya premspada, for the devotees are dearer to Lord Ka than His own self. Ka has said that. The prem-bhakta is so dear. The following are Kas own words, na tath me priyatama tma-yonir na akara na ca sakarao na rr naivtm ca yath bhavn
(rmad-Bhgavatam 11.14.15)

Ka said to Uddhava, tma-yonir, Brahm is not so dear to Me, Sakara is not so dear to Me, ivaj is not so dear to Me, My brother Sakarana is not so dear to Me, My wife Lakm is not so dear to Me, naivtm, y tma is not so dear to Me, I Myself am not so dear to Me as you are dear. Kas bhakta, prem-bhakta is so dear. These are Kas own words. In the ninth canto of rmad-Bhgavatam Ka has said,

32

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra sdhavo hdaya mahya sdhn hdaya tv aham mad-anyat te na jnanti nha tebhyo mang api
The pure devotee is always within the core of My heart, and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but Me, and I do not know anyone else but them. (rmad-Bhgavatam 9.4.68)

Those sdhus are My heart. I am the heart of those sdhus. They do not know anything but Me, I do not know anything but them. All prem-bhaktas, dear devotees relish the bhakti-rasa, the mellow of bhakti, as the mellow emanates from the beauty of Ka, kamdhurya.

Only a Bhakta Can Relish Ka-Mdhurya

All prem-bhaktas, dear devotees relish the bhakti-rasa, the mellow of bhakti, as the mellow emanates from the beauty of Ka, ka-mdhurya. Therefore Ka, accepting the mood of a bhakta, came as Gaurga in order to relish His own mellow, His own beauty. So all these avatras, including Balarma have all accepted bhakta-bhva, in order to relish ka-mdhurya. This is mentioned in Caitanya-caritmta: bhakta-bhva agkari balarma, lakmaa advaita, nitynanda, ea, sakaraa kera mdhurya-rasmta kare pna sei sukhe matta, kichu nhi jne na
(Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.105106)

33

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra rla Kavirja Gosvm has said that Balarma, Lakmaa, Advaita, Nitynanda, ea, Sakaraa, all have accepted the mood of a bhakta, bhakta-bhva agkara, in order to relish kamdhurya, and they are so intoxicated that they do not know anything else. Then Ka Himself developed greed for it, How can I relish My own mdhurya? Without accepting bhakta-bhva it is impossible. Therefore He accepted bhakta-bhva and came as Gaurga. In Caitanya-caritmta it is also mentioned, bhakta-bhva agkari hail avatra r-ka-caitanya-rpe sarva-bhve pra
Therefore Ka Himself, accepting bhakta-bhva, the mood of a bhakta, appeared here in the form of r Ka Caitanya. (Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 6.109)

avatra-gaera bhakta-bhve adhikra bhakta-bhva haite adhika sukha nhi ra

All the incarnations are entitled to the emotions of devotees. There is no higher bliss than this. (Caitanyacaritmta, di-ll 6.111)

All the avatras have assumed the mood of bhakta, bhaktabhva, because the bhakta, devotee, relishes more than Bhagavn. Bhakta-bhva haite adhika sukha nhi ra, Ka is the enjoyer, He gets enjoyment and pleasure, but the bhakta, rendering service unto Ka gets more pleasure. That is why Ka then developed greed, What is that which they are receiving more than I am? How can I get it? I must go there as a bhakta. So He came as

34

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra bhakta Gaurga Mahprabhu. A bhaktas relishment is greater than Bhagavns. Therefore it is said, mla bhakta-avatra r-sakaraa bhakta-avatra tahi advaite gaana
The original bhakta-avatra is Lord Balarma, the original Sakaraa, and Advaita is also bhakta-avatra. (Caitanyacaritmta, di-ll 6.112)

Become a Devotee and Relish More

All these avatras of Ka have the right to accept bhaktaavatra and descend here because thereby they relish more. Instead of being Bhagavn, be a bhakta. Then you will get more relishment. Those who want to be Bhagavn they are fools, rascals. They are fools! They are fools! The Brahmavds, Myvds want to be one with the Lord. They are fools! Rascals! If you become a devotee then you can relish more. This is our teaching on this day. Lord Balarma ki jaya! Balarma ubha virbhva tithi ki jaya ! Samveta bhakta-vnda ki jaya! Gaura premanande hari haribol!

35

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra

Questions & Answers

Without Balarmas Mercy There Is No Hope

Devotee: Is it that the arca-vigraha form is a manifestation of Krodakay Viu? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: acnandana tumi vrajendranandana, You are not a deity, You are directly the son of Nanda Mahrja. Kas arca means Ka, directly Ka. Devotee: As fervently as we are able we can pray to Lord Balarma to develop this mood, real mood of bhakta-bhva. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Yes, yes, and get His mercy. Let Him shower His causeless mercy on us to develop bhakti and get Ka, otherwise we have no hope. Without His mercy there is no hope of getting Ka. Devotee: He is the manifestation of Balarma? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Balarma, Nitynanda-Rma, yes.

Guru-Kp Is Our Only Asset

Devotee: So all that power that is in Balabhadra, our guru, he is carrying that? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: That is true guru, yes, yes, gurukp, yes. How can we survive? Without guru-kp that surviving is a dead body. Though breathing we are a dead body, like the breathing of the blacksmiths bellows. It is like that. Otherwise how can you survive? That guru-kp is our only asset, sambala. Devotee: So we can pray to Lord Balarma today for guru-kp? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Yes, especially this is the day 36

Lord Balarma - The Original Bhakta-Avatra to offer prayer. Yes, beg for His mercy; sandhin-akti vara, He is the Lord of sandhin-akti because He gives ka-sandhna, He reveals to us the clue, how to get ka-sandhna. Therefore He is the Lord of sandhin-akti.

Gurus Merciful Glance

Devotee: If I have understood correctly there are two types of kp: kp through the instruction of the guru, and direct kp, direct mercy? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: How can you get direct mercy? Devotee: By the merciful glance of guru? r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: That merciful glance, whose merciful glance? Devotee: Gurus glance. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: Then? Devotee: Free from instruction. r rmad Gour Govinda Swami: But how can you understand his instruction unless you get his merciful glance? Can you? Then you add your own deliberation to it. You twist it. Yes, Gurudeva said this, and that means it is like this. Most of us do like that, therefore we are bereft of kp. We are very interested in our own affairs. I have very important business, I must go to my office otherwise I may lose my job. Gurudeva, please excuse me, let me go. I received an emergency call, I must go. All right, go. We do like that. We cannot understand things; we are so foolish.

37

Lord Balarma
The Original Bhakta-Avatra

ven Balarma, who is the second body of Ka, the first expansion of Ka, thinks, I am the servant of Ka. His mood is uddha-sakhya-vtsalya. If Balarma serves Ka in ten different forms then what to speak of others? Ka-dsa-bhva vinu che kona jan, is there anyone who is not ka-dasa?

TATTVA VICARA PUBLICATIONS www.tvpbooks.com www.gourgovindaswami.com