Bala-rama (or Balabhadra)

Bala-Rama (Or Balabhadra)

Rama, in the mythology of India, was the son of Vasudeva and of the shepherdess Rogani, and step-brother of Krishna. Some make him an incarnation of the world-snake Addisseshen; others call him an incarnation of Vishnu, in which case he is one with Balapatras. He was a friend of Krishna, but also of Duryodun, chief of the Kurus; therefore he sought to hinder the war between the two. As he slew a Brahmin, he was obliged to begin a long pilgrimage as a mode of penance. In the meantime the war began between his friends, in which he, however, took no part after his return. In the downfall of the entire family of the Gadawer, he saw the end of himself and Krishna, and withdrew into seclusion, where the human form left him, and he was carried alive into Paradise.