Naama 564-567: Balarama Avataram

564. bhagahā · भगहा

The one who possesses all the six auspicious qualities that are known by the word "bhaga".

(oṃ) bhagaghnē namaḥ

The Vishnu Purana explains, "Riches of all kinds, valour, fame, prosperity, knowledge, and detachment, these six qualities go by the name of bhaga." The Lord possesses all of them in full, and so He is called Bhagaha. Sri Bhattar notes that everything said in the sixth part of the Vishnu Purana about the meaning of the word "Bhagavan" applies here.

565. nandī · नन्दी

The one who had Nandagopa as His father. The Lord who was Sankarshana in the vyuha form became Balarama in the vibhava form and had Nandagopa as His father.

(oṃ) nandinē namaḥ

The name can also be read as AnandI, the one who had the joy of being the beloved of the cowherd girls and made Himself and everyone around Him happy in Gokulam. Thus, the next few naamas describe Balarama.

566. vanamālī · वनमाली

The one who is always adorned by the Vaijayanti garland.

(oṃ) vanamālinē namaḥ

The Vaijayanti garland is the presiding deity over the five elements in their gross form (the pancha-bhutas: ether, air, fire, water, and earth) and their subtle form (the pancha-tanmatras: sound, touch, form, taste, and smell), all of which are His creations. It is also the presiding deity of the quality of fragrance. The garland is said to be woven from forest flowers of five colours, one for each tanmatra. Its deeper meaning is that the Lord wears the whole universe, with all its variety, like a garland around His neck.

We experience the five tanmatras through our five senses. This naama teaches us that we should dedicate our five senses to the Lord and worship Him with devotion, instead of directing them only towards worldly enjoyments.

567. halāyudhaḥ · हलायुधः

The one who holds a plough in His hand, like a farmer, and works for the prosperous growth of the five elements.

(oṃ) halāyudhāya namaḥ

It is said that one should recite the name of Balarama while engaged in cultivation, for the sake of the fertile growth of the crops.