28 August 1996 Vrndavana
[Hari-katha spoken by Nitya Lila Pravista Om Visnupada Astottara Sata Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja - Srila Gurudeva]
Srila Gurudeva: Today is a very special day. It is the birthday of Srila Baladeva Prabhu. He took birth in Vraja today from the womb of Rohini Devi. At first, Baladeva Prabhu came in the womb of Devaki. He appeared in her womb in part—not in full. He was Vasudeva-rama. Just as Yasoda in Vraja was pregnant at the same time as Devaki; similarly, Rohini was also pregnant when Devaki was pregnant with Baladeva Prabhu. They became pregnant at the same moment.
And, Rohini went to Gokula to live with her friend, Yasoda. They were bosom friends; they were like Nanda Baba and Vasudeva Maharaja. Nanda Baba and Vasudeva Maharaja were not just bosom friends—they were brothers also. They were more than brothers.
So, Vasudeva Maharaja told Rohini Devi, “You should go to Vraja. You are not safe here because Kamsa wants to kill the child in your womb.”
Therefore, Rohini Devi was sent to Gokula. The Yamuna was in between Gokula and Mathura. Rohini could not cross the river. But she was able to because little water was present. So, she went to Gokula and lived in the house of Nanda-Yasoda. Yasoda was also pregnant on the same day. Baladeva Prabhu stayed in Rohini’s womb for fourteen months. Baladeva Prabhu first appeared in Devaki’s womb and then, entered the womb of Rohini. Yogamaya attracted Baladeva Prabhu to Rohini’s womb. Therefore, it seemed that Devaki had a miscarriage.
Baladeva Prabhu was present in His full form in Rohini’s womb. He was not present partly. Vasudeva-nandana Baladeva appeared in Devaki’s womb. After six months, He was transferred to Rohini’s womb by Yogamaya. The form of Baladeva in Devaki’s womb merged with the full form of Baladeva in Rohini’s womb. Like, Krsna appeared as four handed Vasudeva-Krsna. Vasudeva-Krsna merged with the form of Yasoda-nandana Krsna. Baladeva Prabhu appeared ten days before Krsna. He appeared today from the womb of Rohini in Gokula and then, Krsna appeared.
Ramacandra dasa: Devaki was six months pregnant with Baladeva Prabhu when Yasoda also become pregnant with Krsna. When Baladeva Prabhu in part was transferred to the womb of Rohini, He stayed in her womb for another eight months. He then took birth from the womb of Rohini. After eight days, Krsna took birth from the womb of Yasoda.
Devotee: How long was Krsna in the womb of Yasoda?
Srila Gurudeva: Eight months. So, Rohini was also pregnant for eight months. Krsna came from the mouth of Nanda Baba and entered the ear of Yasoda. Similarly, Krsna came in the form of a mantra from the mouth of Vasudeva and entered the ear of Yasoda. He was not born like worldly babies. In His human-like pastimes (nara-lilavat), he emerged from the womb of Yasoda like an ordinary baby. It was not actually human-like lila—it was a maha-aisvarya (exhibition of ultimate Godhood) lila. And, this was done only by the miraculous sakti of Yogamaya. Even Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu didn’t know how They were born—only Yogamaya knew. And, Narada, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Vyasa knew. No Vrajavasi knew this fact—never.
If anyone says, “It is written in the Garga-samhita that Baladeva Prabhu took birth in the bright fortnight. He did not take birth in the dark fortnight. So, how can you deny this because it is written like this in Garga-samhita?”
But this has been written for another Manvantara (an incarnation of another millennia). What has been quoted from the Garga-samhita is also right because Gargacarya has written this scripture. So, it cannot be false. But, Jiva Gosvami has quoted the Srimad Bhagavatam and said, “Baladeva Prabhu was only born a few days before Krsna.”
Ramacandra dasa: Eight days before.
Srila Gurudeva: No. It has not been written like this. It is mentioned in a covered form. The words, “Purna-indu,” and “Purna” are used in this regard. Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu were given names on the same day. If Baladeva Prabhu would have been born eleven months before Krsna, then He could have walked and taken dal, roti, and other forms of food. But, Baladeva Prabhu never opened His eyes before He met Krsna. He cannot do so. He never opened His eyes. When He was born, He was covered under a cloth in the maternity room. This could not have been done for eleven months. A one year old boy cannot crawl; but he can loudly cry. So, Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu grew up together. If Baladeva Prabhu was born a year before, then why was the name-giving ceremony performed for both of Them on the same day?
So, Jiva Gosvami has cited much evidence in his Gopala-campu that Baladeva Prabhu was born on the full moon (Purnima). What is the meaning of Purna-indu? It means the full moon. And, he has proved it. So, Baladeva Prabhu was only born eight days before Krsna in Gokula. Do you know who Mula Sankarsana is?
Devotee: Baladeva Prabhu.
Srila Gurudeva: Not Baladeva Prabhu Himself. Baladeva Prabhu is not Mula Sankarsana. And, Vasudeva is not Krsna’s first expansion. He is Krsna’s expansion in Dvaraka. The first Kaya-vyuha (bodily expansions) manifested in Dvaraka. Krsna is Baladeva Prabhu Himself. Baladeva Prabhu is Krsna’s Svayam-rupa.
Baladeva Prabhu thinks, “My mother is Yasoda Maiya and My father is Nanda Baba.”
Like Krsna; He addresses Rohini Devi as Badi-maiya (elder mother) and Yasoda Maiya as Choti-maiya (younger mother). But, father is one i.e. Nanda Baba. Therefore, Baladeva Prabhu thinks, “Nanda Baba is My father. Rohini Maiya is My elder mother and Yasoda Maiya is My younger mother.” He thinks as such because Krsna thinks this way. All His relationships depend on Krsna. So, Gargacarya came and performed the name giving ceremony on Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu in a gostha (incognito). He did not perform the ceremony in Nanda Baba’s palace.
Gargacarya told Nanda Baba, “Vasudeva Maharaja has sent me to name his child and your child.”
Vasudeva Maharaja didn’t openly say that Krsna is also his son because then everything would have been revealed and Kamsa would have tried to kill Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu. So, Gargacarya knew this fact. Gargacarya knew everything because he was the greatest astrologer in this world—up till now. So, he knew that Krsna is also the son of Vasudeva. And, he knew well that Baladeva Prabhu is also the son of Vasudeva. Because Gargacarya was of Mathura; he was biased towards Vasudeva. He wanted to make Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu feel that They were of Mathura.
He told Yasoda Maiya, “This boy (Krsna) was the son of Devaki before. And now, He has appeared as Your son.”
But Gargacarya was convinced that Krsna was the son of Vasudeva Maharaja. He told Nanda Baba, “Vasudeva has sent me because I am the greatest astrologer in the entire world. So, he has sent me to name your child after him. I think it would be better if your child is also named ‘Vasudeva.’”
Gargacarya also said, “I cannot openly perform your child’s name giving ceremony.”
Normally, thousands of people are invited for a child’s name giving ceremony and upanayana-samskara (thread giving ceremony). Thousands of rupees are spent on this ceremony. Lakhs and lakhs of cows are also given in charity. Their horns are covered in gold and their hooves are covered in silver. So, the ceremony would have been very expensive. Then everyone would have known in Vraja and Mathura that Krsna was born. And then, many demons would have tried to kill Krsna and Baladeva because they would have known that the two brothers are the sons of Vasudeva.
Gargacarya also said, “A festival should not be held in your palace. The festival should be held in a hidden way.”
So, accompanied with their two sons, Rohini and Yasoda went along with Nanda Baba to Brahmanda Ghata where there were lakhs and lakhs of cows. And there, they smeared cow dung and cow urine on Krsna-Baladeva. They then had the name giving ceremony performed under a tree in a very lonely place. If Baladeva Prabhu was eleven months older than Krsna, then how could it have been possible to perform this ceremony? Before the name giving ceremony, Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu were placed on a nicely decorated bed. Until now, Krsna and Baladeva Prabhu had not seen each other. When They were placed alongside each other, Baladeva Prabhu opened His eyes for the first time and had Krsna’s darsana. And, They smiled and embraced each other. The two brothers were so happy. Thus, Their name giving ceremony was performed.
Why was the name ‘Balarama’ given? Balarama Prabhu is the predominating deity of sandhini-sakti. Krsna is the embodiment of sat, cit, and ananda potencies. But, He can only be called as such when Baladeva Prabhu and Srimati Radhika combine in Him. Baladeva Prabhu is the predominating deity of the potency, sat (eternal existence). Krsna is the predominating deity of the potency, cit (eternal cognizance). And, Srimati Radhika is the predominating deity of ananda (transcendental bliss). In the presence of Baladeva Prabhu and Srimati Radhika, Krsna is called sat-cit-ananda vigraha. Otherwise, He is only cit.
vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam yaj jnanam advayam brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.11
[Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.] Krsna is advaya-jnana. Here, it is not said that He is sat-cit-ananda. So, Krsna is the predominating deity of the cit potency. Baladeva Prabhu is the predominating deity of sat or sandhini-sakti. And, Srimati Radhika is the predominating deity of hladini-sakti. And then, Krsna becomes sat-cit-ananda vigraha. So, Baladeva Prabhu is the predominating deity of sandhini-sakti. Sandhini means strength (bala). Baladeva Prabhu is the predominating deity of bala; Krsna is the predominating deity of jnana; and Srimati Radhika is the predominating deity of kriya. Baladeva; bala means strength. Without His strength, no one can serve Krsna. This strength is the potency to serve Krsna. Without the help of this strength, we cannot do anything. Even bhakti cannot be practiced. So, Baladeva Prabhu gives this strength. And, He is so beautiful.ramayati iti ramah
Baladeva Prabhu serves Krsna in five different rasas. He is the asraya (the abode) of santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, and madhurya; Krsna is the visaya (object) of these rasas. He also serves as Srimati Ananga Manjari. Krsna performs His loving pastimes and Baladeva Prabhu arranges for these pastimes; He is not separate from Krsna. He is Krsna Himself; but He serves Krsna. So, today is the birthday of Srila Baladeva Prabhu. Now you should go for arati; we will explain more in the evening. Baladeva Prabhu Ki Jaya!