Killing of Pralambasura

 

15 Aug: Sri Krishna and Balarama’s wandering place of Vraja-dhama was decorated with all the pleasing qualities of spring even during the summer season. One day, Krishna and Balarama, along with their friends, were engaged in playing, dancing and singing when Pralambasura entered their midst disguised as a cowherd boy. The cowherd boy friends were unable to understand this, but omniscient Lord Krishna understood that the newcomer cowherd was a demon in disguise. In order to kill him, He received him as a friend. All the cowherd boys then divided into two parties for a game. Krishna became the leader of one group and Balarama became the leader of the other. The condition of the game was that the party that was defeated would carry the victor on his shoulder. When they played, Sridama and Vrishabha of Balarama’s party became victorious. Consequently, Krishna carried Sridama and Bhadrasena carried Vrishabha. On the other side, Balarama defeated Pralambasura. Avoiding Krishna, Pralambasura ran away carrying Balarama stealthily on his shoulders.

Balarama, understanding the ill motives of the demon, became so heavy on the shoulders of Pralambasura that he was unable to bear His weight. The demon then assumed his real form. Upon seeing the terrible form of the demon, Haladhara Baldeva at first expressed symptoms of doubt. But just as Indra hurled his lightning bolt, shattering mountains to slay the demons, Baldeva struck the demon a ferocious blow on the head with His fist. This blow shattered Pralambasura’s head and he began to vomit blood. The cowherd boys and demigods then began to glorify Lord Baladeva profusely due to the excellence of His deed.

Srila Bhakti Vinode Thakur describes the purport of killing of Pralambasura as follows: “Pralambasura is a symbol of illicit sexual connection (stri-lampatya), aspiration for gain, adoration (labha-puja) and name and fame (pratishtha).