Balarama was born in 1655-66 AD in the village of Baladakhan in the district of Dhaka. His fathers name was Taracand Bhagyavanta. Some of his forefathers were devotees of Advaita Prabhu, but Balarama himself belonged to the lineage of Nityananda Prabhu. From Baladakhan he later migrated to the village of Bhuikhali in the Pabna district, where he established his Sripata and was awarded the title of Gosvami.
During his childhood Balarama left home in an ecstatic state of Gaura-prema and went on pilgrimage. He constantly carried the Deity of Sri Kesavaraya with him and would not part with it for even a second. The story regarding this deity is related as follows: In a former birth Balarama Thakura was known as Sukadeva Gosvami and was born in the family of Advaita Prabhu. In that birth Sukadeva had a brahmana disciple which he gave the Deity of Sri Kesavaraya to, instructing him as follows: “You should take the utmost care of this deity until I come back, but as soon as I return you must give back my treasure. You will not die until I come again.” Sukadeva then left and soon after passed away. The disciple continued to worship the deity with great care. Many years later this brahmana disciple suddenly met Balarama, understanding him to be his guru (Sukadeva) he danced joyfully and handed over the deity to Balarama. The brahmana then left his body peacefully. From that time wherever Balarama traveled he always carried the deity with him.
Balarama’s serene appearance, coupled with his power to perform miracles, commanded the reverence of both Hindus and Muslims. Attracted by the qualities of Balarama, the Nawab of Mushidavad offered him a Zamindary estate named `Bore’. However, Balarama declined the offer. The Nawab believed that if a saint, such as Balarama, lived on his land, no calamity could take place there. Thus he insisted that Balarama accept his offer. When the Nawab expressed his desire to settle Balarama in a good area named Biyajitpur near the Daulatpur police station in the district of Nadia, Balarama finally agreed. However, instead of taking a whole village, he accepted only 20 bighas of land, on which he installed his deity of Kesavaraya.
Long after, the Maharaja of Nator, having heard the glories of Balarama, came for his darsana. He was so impressed that he coaxed and cajoled Balarama until he agreed to settle at Bhuinkhali village near the Saithia police station in the district of Pabna, within his own Zamindary estates.
Balarama was divinely inspired to marry at a fairly advanced age. He had two sons; the eldest was named Nandakisora and the younger, Saccidananda. Apart from the deity of Kesavaraya, there is also a Nilamurti which was worshipped by Balarama. One wooden staff which was used by Balarama Thakura is kept by the side of these deities and is also worshipped. The festival of Rasayatra of Kesavaraya is still celebrated in a grand manner.
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