Balarama
Indian mythology · avatar · strength, agriculture
Krishna's elder brother, wielder of the plough, counted in most lists as an avatar of the world-serpent Shesha, though some traditions name him an avatar of Vishnu himself. He sat out the Kurukshetra war, refusing to fight either side.
Stories
The Mace Duel
With his hundred brothers dead, Duryodhana rises from a lake for the last fight. Balarama watches his two pupils circle; Bhima, losing, strikes below the belt at Krishna's signal and shatters the thigh he swore to break in the dice hall. Dharma and vengeance settle their accounts in one blow.
The Death of Kamsa
The tyrant of Mathura summons the boys he failed to kill to a rigged wrestling match. Krishna and Balarama break his champions, and Krishna drags his uncle from the throne by the hair, freeing Devaki and Vasudeva from the prison where their children were murdered.