Ananta = Balarama?

[Sirona]

Namaste everyone,

I'm currently reading the Bhagavatam and there is a verse (5.25.7) that I don't understand. It is a description of Ananta but by reading the verse, I feel reminded of Balarama, the brother of Krishna.

"Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The demigods, the demons, the Uragas [serpentine demigods], the Siddhas, the Gandharvas, the Vidyadharas and many highly elevated sages constantly offer prayers to the Lord. Because He is intoxicated, the Lord looks bewildered, and His eyes, appearing like flowers in full bloom, move to and fro. He pleases His personal associates, the heads of the demigods, by the sweet vibrations emanating from His mouth. Dressed in bluish garments and wearing a single earring, He holds a plow on His back with His two beautiful and well-constructed hands. Appearing as white as the heavenly King Indra, He wears a golden belt around His waist and a vaijayanti garland of ever-fresh tulasi blossoms around His neck. Bees intoxicated by the honeylike fragrance of the tulasi flowers hum very sweetly around the garland, which thus becomes more and more beautiful. In this way, the Lord enjoys His very magnanimous pastimes."

Does this mean that Ananta = Balarama? In his purport to Bhagavatam 5.25.3, Prabhupada says that Ananta is the paramatma of Shiva. I used to think that Balarama = an incarnation of Vishnu. Can Balarama be both Shiva's paramatma and an incarnation of Vishnu, or am I mixing things up? Please share your knowledge.

 

[Jainarayan]

I have heard that. Adi Shesha/Ananta is said to have incarnated as Lakshmana and Balarama in order to remain with and serve his Lord. There is also another story that Krishna and Balarama were born from a black hair and a white hair from Vishnu. But that seems to be refuted here, as mistranslations. Lord Sri Krishna and Balarama are not avataras of black and white hairs of Lord Vishnu I prefer the story of Adi Shesha/Ananta incarnating to remain with Vishnu. Shesha - Wikipedia

 

[Terese]

Does this mean that Ananta = Balarama? In his purport to Bhagavatam 5.25.3, Prabhupada says that Ananta is the paramatma of Shiva. I used to think that Balarama = an incarnation of Vishnu. Can Balarama be both Shiva's paramatma and an incarnation of Vishnu, or am I mixing things up? Please share your knowledge.

The Supreme Lord is the paramatma of everything, and in Gaudiya theology, Lord Balarama is a second self of Lord Krishna. So it would make sense that Prabhupada said Ananta is the paramatma of Lord Siva.

Namaste everyone,

I'm currently reading the Bhagavatam and there is a verse (5.25.7) that I don't understand. It is a description of Ananta but by reading the verse, I feel reminded of Balarama, the brother of Krishna.

"Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The demigods, the demons, the Uragas [serpentine demigods], the Siddhas, the Gandharvas, the Vidyadharas and many highly elevated sages constantly offer prayers to the Lord. Because He is intoxicated, the Lord looks bewildered, and His eyes, appearing like flowers in full bloom, move to and fro. He pleases His personal associates, the heads of the demigods, by the sweet vibrations emanating from His mouth. Dressed in bluish garments and wearing a single earring, He holds a plow on His back with His two beautiful and well-constructed hands. Appearing as white as the heavenly King Indra, He wears a golden belt around His waist and a vaijayanti garland of ever-fresh tulasi blossoms around His neck. Bees intoxicated by the honeylike fragrance of the tulasi flowers hum very sweetly around the garland, which thus becomes more and more beautiful. In this way, the Lord enjoys His very magnanimous pastimes."

Secondly, yes, that is indeed Lord Balarama. In that lovely pastime, the Lord is enjoying himself around his devotees, as he always does Ananta is Lord Balarama. There should be no doubt. All Sampradayas see Lord Balarama as Ananta. Lord Balarama is an avatara of Lord Visnu, indeed. And in Gaudiya theology, Lord Balarama being as Supreme as Lord Krishna Himself, Lord Balarama is a manifestation of Lord Krishna and the paramatma (Supreme indweller) of the atma.

There is also another story that Krishna and Balarama were born from a black hair and a white hair from Vishnu.

I love the poetic imagery that story presents

 

[ajay0]

Balarama is considered in the same vein as Lakshmana. Both are strong and good men with their faults as well.

Lakshmana was quick to think that Bharata was capable of harming Rama when Bharata came to visit Rama in the forest,and he was chastised in this regard by Rama for being cynical. Earlier he had threatened to usurp the kingdom in favor of Rama through his skill as a warrior, though Rama would have none of it.

Balarama had a soft corner for his disciple in mace combat, Duryodhana, and favoured Duryodhana over the Pandavas. He refused to fight on behalf of the Pandavas even though Krishna was supporting them..

Imo, Lakshmana and Balarama, for this reason, does not seem to be able to properly discriminate between Dharma and Adharma as Rama and Krishna could.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Does this mean that Ananta = Balarama? In his purport to Bhagavatam 5.25.3, Prabhupada says that Ananta is the paramatma of Shiva. I used to think that Balarama = an incarnation of Vishnu. Can Balarama be both Shiva's paramatma and an incarnation of Vishnu, or am I mixing things up? Please share your knowledge.

Sure, it is Balarama (the bluish garments look good on a fair body and Lord Krihna's dark body is draped in yellow garment - Pitambar. Then the plow is clear give-away.

As for what Prabhupada believes, he worships Krishna so he will say that. One who worships Shiva or Durga will not agree.