Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.174
Śrī Balarāma Is Equal to Kṛṣṇa
“The first manifestation of the vaibhava feature of Kṛṣṇa is Śrī Balarāmajī. Śrī Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa have different bodily colors, but otherwise Śrī Balarāma is equal to Kṛṣṇa in all respects.
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Balarāmajī is the first manifestation of Kṛṣṇa’s vaibhava feature. Their bodily colors differ, but otherwise Śrī Balarāma is equal to Kṛṣṇa in all respects.
- Kṛṣṇa has three bodily features: svayaṁ-rūpa, as a cowherd boy in Vṛndāvana; tad-ekātma-rūpa, divided into svāṁśaka and vilāsa; and āveśa-rūpa.
- The vaibhava division of vilāsa-rūpa includes twenty-four forms. These forms are differently named according to the placement of the weapons in Their four hands.
Try this today
Write one sentence describing how Śrī Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa differ and how They are equal.
Ask yourself
How does this teaching help you understand Śrī Balarāma’s relationship with Kṛṣṇa?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.