Balram (12)--Notable Mortals Who Lived Through Most of the Four Eras

(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

Opening Note : This write-up in installments, is intended to drive home the sole point, hitherto ignored by the historians with utter impunity, that Ramayan and Mahabharat periods were only couple of years apart, almost extending into each other. The study is based on the evidences from 18 Mahapuranas and 18 Uppuranas, along with other Ancient Indian scriptures. Here is the list of at least 106 notable personalities who were alive and present in these two epic periods and even beyond and prior to these periods.  I am confident that one day this truth will have to be accepted by savants of history and general public interested in the study of Ancient India.

Here is Balram, the brother of Shri Krishan, one among 116 mortals, who found references in the texts of  Mahabharat & Puranas.  A careful, meticulous and sincere study of these ancient literary composition reveals that most of such notables not merely find references in, but they actively interacted with the other people living through periods of Ramayan & Mahabharat.

 

12. Balram—Balram also known as Balbhadra and Baldev, was the son of Vasudev from Rohini and was the elder brother of Shri Krishan. Rohini was the daughter of Valmiki and was one of the thirteen wives of Vasudev.[1]

Balram

Balram after being angry with Shri Krishan, believing that after killing Shatdhanva Shri Krishan had taken Samyantak Mani with himself, went to King Janak at Mithila and resided there for 3 years. There Duryodhan learnt the art of fighting with mace/gada from Balram.[2]

Balram did not participate in Mahabharat war and even tried his level best so that the war could be averted. Perceiving the impossibility of averting the war, he went on pilgrimage and visited all the holy places of Bharat at a time when Mahabharat war was in full swing.

After the Mahabharat battle the Yadav dynasty remained alive only for thirty-six years. By the curse of the rishis Narad, Kanav and Vishwamitra etc. all the Yadavas were killed in a drunken clash among themselves in the very presence of Shri Krishan.

Balram was sitting in nearby forest in deep meditation. In the presence of Shri Krishan, the soul of Balram escaped from his mouth in the shape of a white serpent that entered the abode of Vishnu.[3]

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[1] Vayu Puran, Adhyay 96, Shlok 161.

[2] Vishnu Puran, Ansh 4, Adhyay 13, Shlok 103-107.

Hindu Sanskriti Ank. Gita Press, Gorakhpur, p. 277.

Harivansh Puran, Vishnu Parv, Adhyay 39.

Bhagvat Puran, Skandh 10, Adhyay 57, Shlok 26.

[3] Mahabharat, Mausal Parv, Adhyay 3-4.