Lord Balarama always participated in the Krshna-lilas. The lilas of Krshna-Balarama are in the tenth kanda of Srimad Bhagavatam a few of them are briefed here. Balarama destroyed the demon Dhenuka appeared as a powerful ass and denied the Gopas the fruits of Talavana. Balarama destroyed the assistants of Dhenuka hurling them on treetops and did the same to Dhenuka as well and killed him. The tala trees bent down in supplication and offered fruits to the celestial siblings and the Gopas.
Once while playing with the Gopas in Vrindavan, the demon Pralamba arrived in disguise like a Gopa and played with them to kill the divine boys. The looser would carry the winner on shoulders was the bet. Pralamba lost the game and he carried Balarama on his shoulders. When the demon assumed strength, Balarama became a shade heavier than him. Unable to carry further, the huge demon took to the sky and grew gigantic. Balarama hit on the head of Pralamba and instantaneously killed him.
When both Krishna and Balarama moved in the forest, the trees adored them bending down to touch their feet. Krishna often said, “Even the trees and divinities want to touch the lotus feet of Dauji to receive His blessings.” In fact, the great sages took the form of trees to grace the lotus feet of the divine brothers. It is said that Krishna often massaged the feet of Balarama while He took a brief nap in the jungle resting his head on the lap of their cowherd boy friends.
While living in Dwaraka, once Balarama visited the Vrajavasis at Vrindavan and enjoyed the pastimes with the Gopis on the bank of Yamuna. He drank the juice of the Varuni tree and wanted to enjoy water sport with His friends. He called on Yamuna, but she didn’t respond. Balarama took His plow and dragged Yamuna and soon the goddess of Yamuna appeared and begged to forgive her. After taking bath, Lakshmidevi appeared and offered new clothing to Lord Balarama.
Shamba, the son of Lord Krshna and Jambavati, loved Lakshmana, the daughter of Duryodhana (the eldest among the Kauravas) and lived incognito in Hastinapura. The Kauravas arrested the valiant Shamba and imprisoned him. Balarama went and requested to free Shamba and solemnise their marriage, but the proud Kauravas disobeyed Him. He immediately took His plow and began to drag Hastinapura into River Ganga, Seeing the disturbances, the Kauravas agreed for the marriage, and Shamba and Lakshama returned to Dwaraka with massive gifts.
Balarama was Sankarshna and therefore he opposed the Mahabharata war. He approached both the Kauravas and Pandavas not to war seeing their destruction thereafter. The proud Pandavas never listened to Him. Therefore, Balarama went on a pilgrimage to tour the entire Bharat-varsha. He visited Naimisaranya and sage Romaharshana, giving a lecture of Bhagavatam in the assembly of great sages, did not get up to greet Him thinking His visit was to listen to the lectures. In bit of rage, Balarama withdrew his life using a blade of grass and gave him refuge and deliverance in the Supreme Lord. He then proceeded his journey.
Lord Balarama retreated from this world at Prabhasa Kshatra on the bank of River Ganga. A snake emerged from His embodiment and entered in the holy waters of Ganga. Thus Balarama returned to Goloka Vrindavana as Sankarsana. Anyone who fasts and listen to the glories of Lord Balarama and Lord Krishna on the day of Balarama-Purnima and sing in praise of Them will verily become eligible to live in Goloka Vrindavan and witness their divine nitya-lilas eternally.
