Lord Balarāma The Original Bhakta-Avatāra

Lord Balaräma - The Original Bhakta-Avatära An asura named Kälanemi, who later took birth as Kaàsa, had six sons. Their names were Haàsa, Suvikrama, Krätha, Damana, Ripurmardana and Krodhahantä. They were known as ñaò-garbhas, six garbhas. They were very powerful and expert in military affairs.

These six garbhas gave up the association of Hiraëyakaçipu, their grandfather, and underwent austerities to satisfy Lord Brahmä.

Brahmä-ji asked them what boon they wanted. The ñaò-garbhas replied, “Dear Brahmä, if you want to give us a benediction please give us the boon that we will not be killed by any demigods, mahäroga, Yakña, Gandharva-pati, Siddha, Cäraëa or human being, nor by any great sages.” They asked for this boon and Brahma said, “All right, tathästu, granted.”

Hiraëyakaçipu came to know this and became very angry with his grandsons. He said to them, “You have given up my association and gone to worship Lord Brahmä. I no longer have any affection for you. You have tried to save yourselves from the hands of demigods but I curse you that your father will take birth as Kaàsa and kill you, therefore you will take birth as the sons of Devaké.” Because of this curse the ñaò-garbhas had to take birth in the womb of Devaké and were killed by Kaàsa who was previously their father Kälanemi, the son of Hiraëyakaçipu. This is mentioned in the Hari-vaàça and Viñëu-parva.

According to the comments of Vaiñëava-toñaëé by Çréla Jéva Gosvämé the sons of Devaké were in their first incarnation the sons of Maréci. In their second incarnation they were the sons of Kälanemi and in the third incarnation they were the sons of Devaké. When they were killed, where did they go? They went to the planet Sutala, the abode of Bali Mahäräja.

When Akrüra brought Räma and Kåñëa to Mathurä, Devaké said to Them, “I want to see my six sons”. So, Räma and Kåñëa went to that padam, Bali Mahäräja’s residence, and brought back 8