He is the eighth avatar of Lord Narayana. This avatar took place between Ram avatar and Krishna avatar as elder brother of Sri Krishna. He is regarded as incarnation of Seshanag. Unlike Sri Krishna, he was fair complexioned. Otherwise they looked alike in many aspects.
HE was conceived as seventh child in the womb of Devaki. Devaki had a divine feeling right from the time of conception of this child. Under orders from the Lord, to save this child from the clutches of Kamsa, Yogamaya transferred this foetus to the womb of Rohini (the other wife of Vasudeva). Because he was drawn from one womb and transplanted in another womb he was called Shankarshna. He is elder brother of Krishna because he was conceived earlier.
Adiseshan who came as Lakshmana in Ramavatara waited upon Sri Rama day and night. He gave up sleep for sake of Sri Rama and Sitadevi in Aranya Kanda. He was known for his anger too. When he learnt that his father bent to the wishes of his wife Kaikeyi and asked Rama to leave for 14 years, he lifted his hand against his father. Because he served Sri Rama relentlessly in Krishna avatar, the Lord gave him the place of elder brother. In this avatara, Sri Krishna served Balaram.
He appeared on Poornima day in Sridhara month in Gokula, but his birth was kept a secret with the support of Raja Nandan fearing his being killed by Kamsa. This Poornima day is celebrated even today in Mathura.
He had a deep voice and his arms were so long as to touch his thighs. He had divine strength and was honest and simple. His weapon was Haldar (plough) and was therefore called Haladar.
He is considered God of farmers and even today farmers in India worship Balaram with his plough before undertaking important tasks related to farming. If Krishna is the creator, Balaram is considered as creative energy.
Initially he was called Ram but because of his extraordinary physical strength he was named Balarama. He is also called as Balabadhran.
He was a teacher par excellence and he taught the art of club/mace fighting as also wrestling to Duryodhana and Bhima. As a teacher he recognised the superior technique of Duryodhana as against the raw strength of Bhima. That is why during Kurukshetra war, he kept a neutral attitude and retired to the forest. His affection to Pandavas and Kauravas was equal.
He was married to Revathi daughter of King Raivath with whom he lived till the end. He had two sons by her by name Nishatha and Ulmulkha.
On one occasion Duryodhana had locked up Sambha Sri Krishna’s son in Hastinapur. Balaram went to Hastinapur and demanded the release of Sambha. When Duryodhana refused, with his plough Balarama dragged the city of Hastinapur with a view to sink the city in the river Yamuna. To save the city from such a calamity, Duryodhana released Samba.
His mission was service to Sri Krishna and assisting him in the creation of material things as also maintenance of spiritual world.
It is believed that it was Lakshmana and Sri Rama who reincarnated as Balaram and Sri Krishna. That is how like Lakshmana he was an eternal companion of Sri Krishna.
He is a protector from material desires and symbolises honesty and simplicity because he was incarnation of Ananthaseshan. It is believed that if one wants to progress spiritually and to attain Lord’s lotus feet faster, one should worship him first.
Disguised as Nityananda, he spread the sankeerthana movement of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
In Puri Jagannath temple at Orissa, Balaram’s idol is installed next to that of Sri Krishna and his sister Subadhra. Even during the grand Ratha Yatra festival celebrated at this place equal importance is given to Balaram and Subadhra as to Sri Krishna.
Temple for Balaram is found only in Brindavan and for Chit Balaram in Devkanal.
Because of a curse on the Yadava dynasty, thirty six years after the war of Kurukshetra infighting started within themselves and became victim of bad habits. After Sri Krishna took leave of Balaram, he sat down in a meditative mood and before leaving this world brought out a white snake.