Balamara Diverting the Course of the Yamuna River with his Plough

ca. 1760-1765

As an adult, Balarama pays a visit to the pastures of his youth and starts to drink large quantities of wine. He becomes overheated and orders the River Yamuna to come closer so he can have a swim. When the river does not move, Balarama takes his plow and digs it deep into the ground, dragging the river closer. The somewhat impulsive act is celebrated as an illustration of the god’s great strength, and in some accounts he is said to drag the river all over India, bringing much-needed water to the lands.