Pralamba

Pralamba was an asura killed by Balarama. According to the pertinent legend, the asura had attempted to join Krishna and Balarama in a game of jumping, whose conditions dictated that the loser carry the victor on his back. Pralamba promptly lost, and was forced to carry Balarama on his back. However, Pralamba then transformed himself into a larger form and tried to run off with Balarama still clinging to him, which would have happened had Krishna not stopped him with a speech reprimanding him and asking him to suspend his powers. Balarama then clung to Pralamba, brutally beating his head, leaving a bloody brain-pulp mass, bringing about the end of Pralamba. References to Pralamba are available in the Vishnu Purana and the Mahabharata.

References

• A Dictionary of Hindu Mythology & Religion by John Dowson