Question: Duryodhana was favored by Lord Balarāma, but was still killed by Bhīma who was firmly supported by Kṛṣṇa. On the other hand, those who were favored by Kṛṣṇa, such as the five Pāṇḍavas, came out of the Kurukṣetra battlefield alive. Similar things give the impression that Kṛṣṇa is more reliable as a place of shelter and is even safer than Kṛṣṇa’s expansions and incarnations, although there is no difference between Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa’s expansions and incarnations. Does this mean that taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa is enough and is the safest? How do we understand that we are recommended to approach Kṛṣṇa through Lord Balarāma’s mercy? Is it perfect to be favored by Balarāma?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Some of the statements above are misunderstandings.
Balarāma wants us to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa. And Kṛṣṇa wants us to take shelter of Balarāma.
In a similar manner, it is not pleasing to Lord Caitanya if someone takes shelter of Lord Caitanya but neglects Lord Nityānānda.
This is a very strong point made repeatedly in Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
Balarāma is the original spiritual master.
Anyone who is a spiritual master subsequent to Balarāma is a representative of Balarāma or Rādhārāṇī.
Should you just take shelter of Kṛṣṇa and leave the spiritual master to the side, or just take shelter of the spiritual master and leave Kṛṣṇa to the side? Both of these are wrong.
We do not accept Kṛṣṇa without Balarāma, nor do we accept Balarāma without Kṛṣṇa.
Balarāma will point us to Kṛṣṇa.
The spiritual master will point us to Kṛṣṇa.
But we do not neglect Balarāma or the spiritual master.
Rather, it is the other way around; the way to please Kṛṣṇa is to please those who are representatives of Kṛṣṇa.
