TYPE: Incarnation of the god Visnu.
ORIGIN: Hindu (Epic and Puranic) - India
AFFILIATION: Avatar of Shesha, Vaishnavism
ABODE: Vaikuntha, Patala, Vrindavan
WEAPON: Plough, Mace
FESTIVALS: Balarama Jayanti, Rath Yatra
BORN: Gokul
PARENTS: Vasudeva (father), Devaki (Mother), Rohini
SIBLINGS: Krishna, Subhadra
CONSORT: Revati
CHILDREN: Nishatha and Ulmuka (sons) Vatsala/Shashirekha (daughter)
DYNASTY: Yaduvamsha-Chandravamsha
INFORMATION: May have originated in Vedic times as an agricultural fertility deity. He is the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, though born from the womb of Rohini. Jointly with Krsna (his brother), he is identified as the eighth avatara (incarnation) of Visnu, or, with Rama, as the seventh. Legend describes how Visnu impregnated the belly of the goddess Devaki with two hairs, one black, one white. To ensure their safety against a demon king, they were transferred before birth to Rohini. Krsna grew to be dark skinned, and Balarama light. The latter enjoys similar characteristics to Krsna but fails to attract the same popularity. He is usually depicted on the right side of Krsna, rarely standing alone. The consort of Balarama is Revati and his sons are Nisatha nd Ulmuka. Epithets included Ananda(joy). In Jainism he is known as Baladeva.
ATTRIBUTES: Arrow, club, drinking cup, fan palm, honey pot, lotus, pestle, pitcher, plough, prayer wheel, shield and sword.