Balarama and Krishna often had different points of view on issues. And yet they were inseparable, said Kidambi Narayanan in a discourse. In fact, it was often the case that if Krishna said something, Balarama would take the opposite stance. And Krishna knew this. When Arjuna wanted to marry Subhadra, Krishna knew of their love and He approved of the match. But Balarama wanted Subhadra to marry Duryodhana.
Arjuna came disguised as a sanyasi. Krishna easily saw through the disguise. Balarama felt that it would be a good idea to house the sanyasi close to Subhadra’s palace. He told Krishna that Subhadra should serve the ascetic every day. Pleased with her service, the sanyasi would bless her. With his blessings, surely Subhadra would find a good match. Krishna pretended to have doubts about the wisdom of Balarama’s plan. Krishna said that the sanyasi was very young. Would it be all right to let Subhadra serve him? He knew that the more He opposed Balarama’s plan, the more determined Balarama would be to execute it. And it happened as Krishna had anticipated. Balarama made the so-called sanyasi stay in a place close to Subhadra’s palace and the two young people met without arousing Balarama’s suspicions. Krishna’s plans worked and Arjuna and Subhadra married each other. When Krishna married Rukmini, Balarama was not with Him. When Krishna shamed Rukmi, brother of Rukmini, the latter cried. Balarama then told her that everyone had bad experiences in life and someone had to be the tool to bring about that experience. In Rukmi’s case, it happened to be Krishna. Every experience was due to one’s karma. Thus, Balarama and Krishna never let each other down and showed us how families must always stay united.
