Balarama is a name of the Supreme Person, Who appears as Krishna’s brother. He is also in the category of God, though Krishna Himself is the origin of all other Personalities of Godhead.
During Krishna’s childhood pastimes, Balarama also appears and plays like a human being with Krishna in the village of Vrindavan. Throughout history, Balarama also appeared as Lord Ramachandra‘s brother Laksmana, and as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu‘s brother Nityananda. Whereas Krishna always appears with a dark complexion like a bluish rain cloud, Balarama is fair.
Devotees of Krishna and Balarama fast until noon on Balarama’s appearance anniversary, which is today.
More:
- Balarama—a helpful Info page, with links to in-depth articles, scriptural source notes, FAQ, and relevant audio/video
- Audio: Lord Balarama Visits Vrindavan – Harinama Cintamani dasi narrates from Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by Srila Prabhupada
- Balarama More Fully Explained: The Glories of Nityananda Balarama, in the Chaitanya Charitamrita online.
- Audio: The Glories of Lord Balarama, Harinama Cintamani narrates the introduction to the above chapter on Lord Balarama from Chaitanya Charitamrita