Siblings

Some of us are fortunate enough to have siblings. However, even as I say we are fortunate we all know that sometimes our siblings annoy us. Those with older siblings sometimes feel that the older sibling is trying to control them and treat them as if the older sibling were a parent. Those with younger siblings may feel the younger sibling mimics them too much or those with many younger siblings may feel deprived of parental attention since the younger ones take up so much of the parents' energy. Whatever our negative feelings are, at the end of the day we are all thankful for our siblings and the bond between us and our siblings is always a strong one. We can share with our siblings thoughts that we may not be able to share with anyone else - even parents and best friends. Our siblings always look out for us (if they are older) or look up to us (if they are younger).
Kanhaji's older brother Balarama always took care of him. He guided him and helped him whenever he needed such help. Kanhaji always confided in Balarama, even when he could not confide in their parents.
The picture I have included is one of them both when they were babies - pampered and dressed up in all their finery and eating their favourite food - makhan. Aren't they cute?
I was watching the TV series Jai Shri Krishna a while ago and there was an episode where Kans was sending some form of danger towards Kanhaji when he was a baby. He and Balarama were lying in their crib (they were both so small that neither was able to walk yet) and Kanhaji was telling Balarama that if danger comes Balarama must protect Kanhaji since he is the older brother and that is his responsibility. Balarama started crying and saying that Kanhaji upset him by telling him his responsibility because he knew what he had to do and that protecting his brother was very important to him.
Any time we look at movies or read about the childhood exploits of Kanhaji we see that Balarama always tries to look out for him and take care of him, like a good big brother should. Even in the Mahabharata, Balarama tries to give Krishna advice concerning the war. He tells him that he doesn't think there should be a war but he knows that Krishna loves Arjuna very much and will support him. However, he, Balarama will not participate in the war and Balarama did not take part in the battle at Kurukshetra.
I know I'm ending abruptly but that's all till next time, Jai Shri Krishna!