Harivamsa

12 - kāliyadamana - Subjugation of Kaliya

vaiśaṁpāyana uvāca

so'pasṛtya nadītīram baddhvā parikaraṁ dṛḍham |

ārohacchapalaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kadambaśikharaṁ mudā |2-12-1

vaiśaṁpāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Reaching the river bank, kṛṣṇa tightened his waist. The restless boy happily climbed on the branch of the kadamba tree.

kṛṣṇaḥ kadambaśikharāllambamāno ghanākṛtiḥ |

hradamadhye'karocchabdaṁ nipatannambujekṣaṇaḥ ||2-12-2

The lotus eyed kṛṣṇa with body dark as a rain cloud jumped from the branch of the kadamba tree to the centre of the lake, creating a loud noise.

kṛṣṇena tatra patatā kṣubhito yamunāhradaḥ |

saṁprāsicyata vegena bhidyamāna ivāṁbudaḥ ||2-12-3

When kṛṣṇa jumped, the lake in yamunā was agitated and the waves spilled over to the banks, like a rain cloud split quickly with force.

tena shabdena saṅkṣubdham sarpasya bhavanaṁ mahat |

udatiṣṭhajjalātsarpo roṣaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ ||2-12-4

The great serpent's residence was disturbed by the sound. He emerged from water with his eyes burning red with anger.

sa choragapatiḥ kruddho megharāśisamaprabhaḥ |

tato raktāntanayanaḥ kāliyaḥ samadṛśyata ||2-12-5

When kāliya, the king of serpent, shining as a group of dark clouds came out angrily, his eyes appeared red as blood.

paṣcāsyaḥ pāvakochvāsaśchalajjihvo'nalānanaḥ |

pṛthubhiḥ paṣchabhirghoraiḥ śirobhiḥ parivāritaḥ ||2-12-6

He had five hoods. He breathed fire. His tongues moved in and out fast. His mouths were full of fire. His five hoods were terrifying.

pūrayitvā hradaṁ sarvaṁ bhogenānalavarchasā |

sphuranniva ca roṣeṇa jvalanniva ca tejasā ||2-12-7

He covered the entire lake with his powerful and fiery body. He appeared to be trembling with anger and burning with power.

krodhena jvalatastasya jalaṁ śṛtamivābhavat |

pratisrotāścha bhīteva jagāma yamunā nadī ||2-12-8

Burning due to his anger, the water appeared to be boiling. yamunā river appeared to reverse the flow due to fear.

tasya krodhāgnipūrṇebhyo vaktrebhyo'bhūccha mārutaḥ |

dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇaṁ hradagataṁ krīḍantaṁ śiśulīlayā ||2-12-9

Seeing kṛṣṇa playing like a child in the lake, he breathed fire and air from his terrible faces burning with anger.

sadhūmāḥ pannagendrasya mukhānniścherurarchiṣaḥ |

sṛjatā tena roṣāgniṁ samīpe tīrajā drumāḥ || 2-12-10

kṣaṇena bhasmasānnītā yugāntapratimena vai |

Smoke and fire emerged from the mouths of the king of serpents. His fire of anger burned the trees near to the banks and quickly reduced them to ashes, as if signifying the end of yuga.

tasya putrāścha dārāścha bhṛtyāścānye mahoragāḥ ||2-12-11

vamantaḥ pāvakaṁ ghoraṁ vaktrebhyo viśasaṁbhavam |

sadhūmaṁ pannagendrāste nipeturamitaujasaḥ |2-12-12

Great serpents with immense power - his sons, wives, servants and others arrived, spitting terrible and poisonous fire and smoke from their mouths.

praveshitashcha taiḥ sarpaiḥ sa kṛṣṇo bhogabandhanam |

niryatnacharaṇākārastasthau giririvācalaḥ ||2-12-13

All serpents coiled their bodies around kṛṣṇa and bound him. His legs, arms and body were made motionless as if he was an unmovable hill.

adaśandaśanaistīkṣṇairviṣotpīḍajalāvilaiḥ |

te kṛṣṇaṁ sarpapatayo na mamāra ca vīryavān ||2-12-14

The serpent kings started biting kṛṣṇa with their sharp teeth through which poisonous water was flowing. However kṛṣṇa was not killed.

etasminnantare bhītā gopālāḥ sarva eva te |

krandamānā vrajaṁ jagmurbāṣpagadgadayā girā ||2-12-15

Meanwhile, all the frightened cow tending boys went to vraja crying. With tears, they said these faltering words.

gopā ūcuḥ

eṣa mohaṁ gataḥ kṛṣṇo magno vai kāliye hrade |

bhakṣyate sarparājena tadāgacchata mā ciram ||2-12-16

gopa-s said:

Drowning in kāliya lake, kṛṣṇa has become unconscious. The king of serpents is about to eat him. Hence all of you should go there quickly.

nandagopāya vai kṣipraṁ sabalāya nivedyatām |

eṣa te kṛṣyate kṛṣṇaḥ sarpeṇeti mahāhrade ||2-12-17

Immediately, inform nandagopa and balarāma that the serpent is dragging kṛṣṇa to the big lake.

nandagopastu tacchrutvā vajrapātopamaṁ vacaḥ |

ārtaḥ skhalitavikrāntastaṁ jagāma hradottamam ||2-12-18

Hearing these terrible words like a thunderbolt, nandagopa was overcome with fear and grief. He rushed to the lake, faltering.

sabālayuvatīvṛddhaḥ sa ca saṅkarṣaṇo yuvā |

ākrīḍaṁ pannagendrasya jalasthaṁ samupāgamat ||2-12-19

The youth saṅkarṣaṇa, along with children, young women and old people also reached the place where the king of serpents was playing in water.

nandagopamukhā gopāste sarve sāśrulochanāḥ |

hāhākāraṁ prakurvantastasthustīre hradasya vai ||2-12-20

nandagopa and all other gopa-s stood on the banks of the lake, crying aloud with tears flowing from their eyes.

vrīḍitā vismitāścaiva śokārtāścha punaḥ punaḥ |

kechittu putra hā heti hā dhigityapare punaḥ ||2-12-21

They felt helpless, astonished and cried sadly shouting "O! My son. Shame on us" again and again.

apare hā hatāḥ smeti rurudurbhṛśaduḥkhitāḥ |

striyashcaiva yasodāṁ tāṁ hā hatāsīti chukruśuḥ ||2-12-22

Others cried: "We are finished". Overcome by severe grief, some others cried profusely. Women looked at yaśodā, crying, "you are doomed".

*

yā pashyasi priyaṁ putraṁ sarparājavaśaṁ gatam |

spanditaṁ sarpabhogena kṛṣyamāṇaṁ yathā mṛtam ||2-12-23

Look at your dear son held, bound by the serpent body, being dragged by the king of serpents, as though he is dead.

aśmasāramayaṁ nūnaṁ hṛdayaṁ te vilakṣyate |

putraṁ kathamimaṁ dṛṣṭvā yashode nāvadīryase ||2-12-24

yaśodā, your heart is definitely made of iron. Even after seeing your son in this condition, why are you not shattered?

duḥkhitaṁ bata paśyāmo nandagopaṁ hradāntike |

nyasya putramukhe dṛṣṭiṁ nishchetanamavasthitam ||2-12-25

We see nandagopa in grief on the banks of the lake, looking at kṛṣṇa's face without blinking his eyes.

yaśodāmanugacchantyaḥ sarpāvāsamimaṁ hradam |

praviśāmo na yāsyāmo vinā dāmodaraṁ vrajam ||2-12-26

Let us follow yaśodā to the lake where the serpent lives. We will not return to vraja without dāmodara (kṛṣṇa).

divasaḥ ko vinā sūryaṁ vinā chandreṇa kā niśā |

vinā vṛṣeṇa kā gāvo vinā kṛṣṇena ko vrajaḥ ||2-12-27

vinā kṛṣṇaṁ na yāsyāmo vivatsā iva dhenavaḥ |

What is day without sun? What is night without moon? What are cows without bulls? What is vraja without kṛṣṇa? Like cows without calves, we will not return home without kṛṣṇa.

tāsāṁ vilapitaṁ śrutvā teṣāṁ ca vrajavāsinām |

vilāpaṁ nandagopasya yaśodāruditaṁ tathā ||2-12-28

Hearing the women, residents of vraja and nandagopa crying thus as also yaśodā weeping,

ekabhāvaśarīrajṣa ekadeho dvidhā kṛtaḥ |

saṅkarṣaṇastu saṅkruddho babhāṣe kṛṣṇamavyayam ||2-12-29

saṅkarṣaṇa, who was having the same mind and body, who had split one body into two (with kṛṣṇa) became angry. He spoke these words to the eternal kṛṣṇa

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahābāho gopānāṁ nandavardhana |

gamyatāmeṣa vai kṣipraṁ sarparājo viṣāyudhaḥ ||2-12-30

kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa with mighty arms! You always enhance the pleasure of cow tenders of vraja. Conquer quickly the king of serpents, who is armed with poison.

ime no bāndhavāstāta tvāṁ matvā mānuṣaṁ vibho |

paridevanti karunaṁ sarve mānuṣabuddhayaḥ ||2-12-31

O my son! (dear brother), lord!, thinking that you are an ordinary human being, all our relatives and friends with human intellect, are lamenting.

tacchrutvā rauhiṇeyasya vākyaṁ saṁjṣāsamīritam |

vikramyāsphoṭayadbāhū bhittvā tannāgabandhanam ||2-12-32

Hearing these words of the son of rohiṇi, with hints, kṛṣṇa shook his hands and broke himself free from the serpent coils.

tasya padbhyāmathākramya bhogarāśiṁ jalotthitam |

shirastu kṛṣṇo jagrāha svahastenāvanāmya ca ||2-12-33

Stamping with his feet on the serpent's body raising up from water, kṛṣṇa caught the serpent's hood with his hands and brought it down.

tasyāruroha sahasā madhyamaṁ tanmahacciraḥ |

so'sya mūrdhni sthitaḥ kṛṣṇo nanarta rucirāṅgadaḥ||2-12-34

kṛṣṇa quickly jumped on the serpent's huge middle hood. kṛṣṇa wearing beautiful armlets, started dancing on the serpent's head.

mṛdyamānaḥ sa kṛṣṇena śāntamūrdhā bhujaṁgamaḥ |

āsyaiḥ sarudhirodgāraiḥ kātaro vākyamabravīt ||2-12-35

Subdued by kṛṣṇa, the serpent became afraid. He lowered his head and spoke these words with blood coming out from his mouths.

avijṣānanmayā kṛṣṇa roṣo'yaṁ saṁpradarśitaḥ |

damito'haṁ hataviṣo vashagaste varānana ||2-12-36

kṛṣṇa with a charming face! I showed my anger without knowing you. My poison is destroyed and I am subdued by you.

tadājṣāpaya kiṁ kuryāṁ sadā sāpatyabāndhavaḥ |

kasya vā vaśatāṁ yāmi jīvitaṁ me pradīyatāṁ ||2-12-37

Order me! What should I do with my sons, friends and relatives? Under whom should I be? Please spare my life!

paṣchamūrdhānataṁ dṛṣṭvā sarpaṁ sarpāriketanaḥ |

akRuddha eva bhagavānpratyuvācorageśvaram ||2-12-38

Seeing the serpent with all his five hoods lowered, the lord (kṛṣṇa), whose flag has the image of the enemy of serpents (garuḍa), without anger, replied to the lord of serpents.

tavāsminyamunātoye naiva sthānaṁ dadāmyaham |

gachcārṇavajalaṁ sarpa sabhāryaḥ sahabāndhavaḥ ||2-12-39

I will not give you place (of residence) in the waters of yamunā. Serpent, go the waters of ocean with your wives, relatives and friends.

yashcheha bhūyo dṛśyeta sthāne vā yadi vā jale |

tava bhṛtyastanūjo vā kṣipraṁ vadhyaḥ sa me bhavet ||2-12-40

If ever I find a serpent in this place or in water, he will be killed by me quickly, even if he is your servant or son.

śivaṁ cāsya jalasyāstu tvaṁ ca gaccha mahārṇavam |

sthāne tviha bhaveddoṣastavāntakaraṇo mahān ||2-12-41

Let this water be useful and good. You go to the great ocean. Living in this place is a great danger to your life.

matpadāni ca te sarpa dṛṣṭvā mūrdhasu sāgare |

garuḍaḥ pannagaripustvayi na prahariṣyati ||2-12-42

When you live in the ocean, seeing the marks of my feet on your hoods, garuḍa, the enemy of serpents will never harm you.

gṛhya mūrdhnā tu charaṇau kṛṣṇasyoragapuṅgavaḥ |

paśyatāmeva gopānāṁ jagāmādarśanaṁ hradāt ||2-12-43

Carrying the marks of kṛṣṇa's feet on his hoods, the great serpent left the lake as the gopa-s were watching.

nirjite tu gate sarpe kṛṣṇamuttīrya dhiṣṭhitam |

vismitāstuṣṭuvurgopāścakruścaiva pradakṣiṇam ||2-12-44

When the serpent left admitting defeat, kṛṣṇa came out of water and stood on the banks. The surprised gopa-s praised and circumambulated kṛṣṇa.

ūcuḥ sarve ca saṁprītā nandagopaṁ vanecarāḥ |

dhanyo'syanugṛhīto'si yasya te putra īdṛśaḥ ||2-12-45

All the forest going gopa-s were pleased. They told nandagopa: "You are satisfied and blessed to have such a son".

adyaprabhṛti gopānāṁ gavāṁ goṣṭhasya cānagha |

āpatsu śaraṇaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ prabhuścāyatalocanaḥ ||2-12-46

O sinless one! From today, kṛṣṇa with long eyes is the shelter for gopa-s, cows and vraja.

jātā śivajalā sarvā yamunā munisevitā |

tire cāsyāḥ sukhaṁ gāvo vichariṣyaṁti naḥ sadā ||2-12-47

The water of yamunā, served by sages has become useful and good. Now our cows can always live comfortably on its banks.

vyaktameva vayaṁ gopā vane yatkṛṣṇamīdṛśam |

mahadbhūtaṁ na jānīmaśchannamagnimiva vraje ||2-12-48

It is clear that, we gopa-s who live in the forest, did not recognize the greatness of kṛṣna who lives in vraja, like fire covered by ashes.

evaṁ te vismitāḥ sarve stuvantaḥ kṛṣṇamavyayam |

jagmurgopagaṇā ghośaṁ devāśchaitrarathaṁ yathā ||2-12-49

Thus all the gopa-s, struck with wonder, praised the indestructible kṛṣṇa and returned to vraja like deva-s returning from chaitraratha.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi śiśucaryāyāṁ kāliyadamane dvādaśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the twelfth chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, subjugation of kāliya.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

amuṣmindvādaśe'dhyāye kāliyasya phaṇopari |

nṛtyaṁ cakre harishcheti yamunā nirviṣocyate || 1 ||

sopasṛsyetyadhyāhṛtya "yo'hannahirmanvapastatarddetyapādahasto apṛtanyadindram" iti chopadiṣṭaṁ kāliyadamanam upabṛṁhayati | tatra mantrāvayavayorarthastu yo'hiḥ sarpo manvapaḥ yamunājalāni tatarda viṣasaṁparkeṇa nāśitavān tamindro ahan hiṁsitavān | pīḍanamātramatra hantyarthaḥ | sa ca ahiḥ apāt pādahīnaḥ ahastaḥ shvasan indram apṛ+tanyat ayodhayaditi etenāsya sarparūpatvamuktamato'hirvṛtrākhyo yatrāpsaṁbandhastatrāyameva boddhavyaḥ ||

· 2-12-2 lambamānaḥ adhaḥ patan ||

· 2-12-6 paṣcāsya paṣchavadanaḥ ||

· 2-12-7 bhogena dehena ||

· 2-12-8 śṛtaṁ kvathitaṁ pratisrotāḥ viparītapravāhāḥ ||

· 2-12-14 te'daśanniti pūrveṇa saṁbandhaḥ ||

· 2-12-23 sarpabhogena sarpabhogabandhena spanditaṁ kiṣchichcālitaṁ dhairyātīti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-12-31 paridevanti shochanti ||

· 2-12-41 stāne avasthitau ||

· 2-12-42 nanvanyatra garuḍo māṁ haniṣyati atra tu muniśāpānnāyātīti chettatrāha | matpadānīti ||

· 2-12-43 dhiṣṭhitaṁ tīre'vasthitam

iti śrīmatpada nīlakaṇṭhakṛtau bhāratabhāvadīpe harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi tīkāyāṁ dvādaśo'dhyāyaḥ

Ananda Vrindavan Champu

Chapter Nine

Vanquishing the Kaliya Serpent

One day, Vanamali Krsna left His brother Rama at home and went with His friends to tend the cows and play beside the Yamuna. At that time, the serpent Kaliya, the son of Kadru, lived in a lake within the riv Yamuna. Kaliya had taken shelter in the Yamuna, the daughter of Suryadeva, to hide from his enemy Garuda. This venomous snake, the embodi ment of the mellow of fear (bhaya rasa), existed in Vrndavana like an incurable heart disease. He was like death waiting as a helpful friend to engage one, or Rudra's fire of devastation that destroys the three worlds

The burning venom of the great serpent Kaliya constantly heated and boiled the waters of the Yamuna. Yamuna-devi felt like she had a black ball of fire within her belly. Indeed, the poisonous vapors thus created polluted the air, and caused birds flying overhead to fall down into the water. The entire atmosphere was contaminated by the inauspicious pres­ence of Kaliya, who continually harassed the inhabitants of Vrndavana. The forceful exhalation of fiery poison from his nostrils illuminated the Yamuna's waves with a crimson golden radiance. The beauty of this scene resembled the waves of the salt ocean glittering under the moonlight. The dense black smoke lingering above the Yamuna indicated the presence of a raging fire within. Nothing could live in the Yamuna except Kaliya's wives and sons due to the calamitous situation caused by the burning poison of that crooked serpent. As one takes shelter under an umbrella, Kaliya stayed safely in a deep lake within the Yamuna.

The cowherd boys and cows sipped some water from the Yamuna to quench their thirst. Although the gopas have eternal transcendental bod­ies, by the supreme will of Krsna they fell unconscious immediately after drinking. Krsna, the destroyer of demons, worried for a moment about His friends and then He quickly revived them with a sidelong glance. It appeared that life-giving nectar dripped from Krsna's lotus eyes. Return­ing to consciousness, the boys felt astonished and smiled gently. They Warmly embraced each other and talked among themselves in great happiness. One cowherd boy said, "Krsna is wonderful. He rescued us just like He did when we wandered into the cave-like mouth of Aghasura. almost died from drinking that poisonous water but Krsna mercifully sav us. It seems that He has given sanjivani rasa to revive us." After speaking thus, all the gopas looked lovingly at their dearest friend.

Since Krsna had descended from the spiritual world specifically due envious demons, He immediately climbed to the top of a very tall tree beside the Yamuna. That tall kadamba touched the clouds and kissed the sky. With a desire to crush the pride of Kaliya, the incomparable and conceivable Lord Krsna prepared Himself for a fight. He gathered His locks of hair, retied His turban, tightened His belt, and clenched His lotus hand into a fist eager for victory. Krsna's tender body and slender waist displayed the prime of His joyful youth. Totally relaxed, Kṛṣṇa gently toward the cowherd boys and said, "Do not be afraid My friends. My transcendental effulgence will dispel all misfortune. Just wait here and watch the cows."

His face illuminated by a row of radiant teeth, Krsna beamed a confi­dent smile. With His fathomless intelligence and charming characteristics Krsna easily removes the pride and arrogance of materialistic people. Krsna enthusiastically leaped into the Yamuna, just as a kingfisher dives into a river to catch its prey. Krsna's forceful plunge pushed the Yamuna over her banks. The deadly poison from the serpent rose up into a mass of foam cresting on the high waves of the river. The cows and cowherd boys ran away in fear upon seeing these ominous waves rushing toward the banks,

Krsna dove so deeply into the River Yamuna that it seemed He went to trample the Patala region of the universe. Krsna sported in Kaliya's lake like a lordly elephant—swirling His mighty arms and making the water resound in various ways. This agitation caused the poisonous water to burst into flames. Unable to bear the vigorous vibrations, Kaliya felt as if his life was being thrashed out of him.

Kaliya saw Krsna's beauty surpassing the sublime elegance of a tamala tree. Krsna's eyes looked peaceful and pleasing, and His handsome effulgent form easily defeated the sweetness of Kandarpa. Seeing Krsna's body covered with fragrant yellow sandalwood pulp easily destroys one's false pride. Despite beholding this wonderful darsana, the envious Kaliya relt Krsna to be the source of an intolerable fever. Shaking with anger, ^aliya furiously lunged at Krsna, bit Him on the chest, and attempted to squeeze Krsna to death by completely enveloping Him in his mighty coils. ^ aliya considered how this person had so brazenly violated his watery domain. Beset with doubt and suspicion about the identity of Krsna, who removes the power of the best of snakes, Kaliya pondered, "Who is this unknown person who has created such a disturbance? And where has He come from?"

The proud, impudent, materially attached Kaliya wondered how Kṛṣṇa — a mere boy, blissful and beautiful with blooming youth —could have so effortlessly subdued the massive Aghasura. Finally he concluded that Krsna must have the ability to expand Himself to any unlimited size. Nevertheless Kaliya tried to smother and crush Krsna by expanding his own body to monstrous proportions. Failing in his endeavor, Kaliya succumbed to exhaustion.

On one level the supremely independent Lord created an inauspicious atmosphere of impending death just to see how much love the Vrajavasis had for Him, and to make them impatient to run to Him. But on another level Krsna, His handsome chest adorned with the glistening kaustubha gem, performed this pastime of being bound by Kaliya just to satisfy His desire to dance on the hoods of the serpent. He merely awaited the ap­proval of His Vrajavasi friends and relatives standing on the shore of the River Yamuna.

Observing the lord of their hearts trapped in the snake's coils and sub­merged under the water, the cows and cowherd boys filled with fear and lamentation. Paralyzed by grief, the cowherd boys froze in place, held their palms on their foreheads, and wept profusely while crying out pite-ously to Krsna, "How painful! How painful! We cannot bear to live!" Seeing the whole world as void and nearing destruction, they collapsed on the ground. Feeling they had entered an ocean of poison, the cowherd boys nearly died from the devastating inundation of simultaneously expe­riencing the eight symptoms of transcendental ecstasy. Viewing the Vrajavasis enduring such misfortune, the demigods, their hair loosened and clothing disheveled, felt their hearts pierced with flaming arrows. In great distress they called out, "Alas! Alas!"

The three types of fearful omens, namely those on the earth, in the sky, and in the bodies of living creatures, which announce imminent danger, descended upon Vrndavana at that moment. Jackals shrieked harshly at the sun, smoke and dust as dark as the horns of a buffalo blanketed the sky, and the sun appeared dull and lackluster. High winds howled in every direction and violent earthquakes shook the earth. Afflicted by the inaus-piciousness, the left side of men's bodies (hand, eye, thigh), and the right side of women's bodies trembled. Anxiety seized the atmosphere and dis­turbed everyone's minds with grief and discontent.

Perceiving all these inauspicious omens in his village, Nanda Maharaja and the gopas understood that a devastating time had assailed the earth. The hostile unfavorable atmosphere submerged their hearts in the mud of tearfulness. Although they had innumerable experiences of the unlim­ited majesty of Krsna, due to the covering potency of Yogamaya, they knew only His sweet intimacy. Forgetting about the Lord's omnipotence, they simply worried about the safety of Krsna.

While lamenting over the disturbances some of the learned gopas said, "Oh! How dreadful! Due to negligence and naivete our innocent Krsna has wandered alone into the dense forest which is infested with various demons that always bring calamities. And He has gone there without the company of His intelligent, powerful elder brother Balarama. Without our beloved Krsna we cannot live. But since we cannot fathom the actual situation from here, let us invoke good fortune by chanting, 'Siva! Siva!' "

Overwhelmed with fear and lamentation, the Vrajavasis quickly left their eating and drinking and rushed out intent on finding Krsna. The whole village joined in that procession from one year-old babies to elderly men. They followed the path marked by Krsna's footprints, which bore the unique, symbols of a flag, barleycorn, thunderbolt, lotus flower, and el­ephant goad.

Nanda and Vrajesvari Yasoda, Balarama, the elderly gopas, and all the children hurried along the path to the bank of the Yamuna River. From a distance they saw Krsna trapped in the lake, motionless within the coils of the venomous black serpent. Stepping closer, they immediately under­stood the situation just by seeing the facial expressions of Krsna's friends lying unconscious on the bank. Witnessing this, the Vrajavasis succumbed to anguish and confusion.

Though standing on the bank, they felt they too were drowning in the poisonous lake. Their hearts burned just like a person afflicted by poison. The women fell on the ground like creepers thrown down by a high wind, and the men toppled like uprooted trees. They sprawled out in all direc­tions beside the lake.

Filled with panic and shock, Nanda Maharaja cried out in a voice choked with tears, "0 my darling son! Why have you suddenly done this? 0 dear­est of all, please come back to us." Gripped with lamentation, the cow­herd men fell down unconscious on the ground around the King of Vrndavana. Yasgda swooned with equal distress and sadness. Sympathiz­ing with her and wailing piteously like kurari birds, the elderly gopis col­lapsed on the ground next to the Queen of Vrndavana.

At first the young gopis could neither cry nor lament as they starred at Krsna with unblinking eyes glittering with love. Then their piteous wail­ing strained the atmosphere, and the downpour of their tears muddied the bank of the Yamuna. Taking shelter in the embrace of the sakhi of personified unconsciousness, they fell flat on the ground like creepers and trees cut down by a hurricane. Though fainting, the gopis retained their life airs by recounting the pastimes of the beloved of Vrndavana. Even in that miserable state the gopis somehow maintained their exist-^ce. Indeed, intense lamentation permeated the atmosphere.

Seeing the extent of Krsna's influence, Haladhara (Balarama) looked on with amazement. Then Balarama said, "0 father, because Krsna is so dear to you, your heart is burning and you are overwhelmed with lamentation. Nevertheless, you need not be in anxiety for this body that is existing due to Krsna's mercy. 0 Mago! (Yasoda) Do not cry or lament anymore. Please hear My words and be patient. 0 Vrajavasis! You sh not be so grief-stricken now that you have ascertained the extent of the danger.

"You are unaware of the magnitude of My younger brother's valor which always increases the joy of others. I am the only one who knows the ext of His transcendental identity. Among the greatest demigods who understand even a fraction of His opulence? Please be steady in in intelligence.

"For the lion-like Krsna it is a paltry achievement to subdue the demn Kaliya. Just as the wind cannot conquer a mountain, or as darkness can never cover the sun, or as a clump of reeds can never extinguish a raein? forest fire, similarly, Krsna, who wears makara earrings, is not the least bit afraid of this tiny water snake. Therefore give up your grief. Any mo­ment now My brother will finish this lowly snake and come out of the water. You can have complete confidence in My words."

By His illusory energy Krsna bewilders both the demons and the demi­gods. He possesses unlimited transcendental opulences and has a most elegant form. He relishes His own prowess within and without, and everv-one knows His boundless power. To the surrendered soul He is an ocean of happiness.

Therefore, to remove the acute distress of His father, mother, and other relatives, Krsna decided to free Himself from the serpent the moment Balarama, who glowed like pure moonlight, finished speaking. Enwrapped in the thick coils of that black snake, Krsna looked as exquisite and strik­ing as the full moon embraced by the branch of a dark tree. Releasing Himself from Kaliya's clutches, Krsna lifted His lotus face and cast a blissful smile toward the Vrajavasis.

Conchshells blasted from the assembly house of the demigods, the dundubhis pounded "dhun\ dhun\ dhun\ dhun\ and the bheris (kettle­drums) reverberated deep rhythms. The thunderous combination of these sounds of victory threatened to break the eardrums of all listeners. Gradu­ally the Vrajavasis regained their lives upon hearing the auspicious drums of the demigods. As they pushed themselves up from the ground with their arms, they heard that joyous celestial music spreading in all directions and saw Lord Balarama standing nearby.

Everyone shivered in fright upon noticing that extremely fierce serpe ^ whose body looked blacker than iron and who spewed foam and sparks from His mouth. The effulgence of the gems on his hundred heads diffused throughout the sky. Sparks shot from His burning eyes and gaping mouth resembled a pan full of boiling ghee. Raising his hoods, Kaliya pounced on Krsna. The pride- intoxicated Kaliya appeared licking the upper limits of the sky with his two hundred tongues. To enact yet another playful pastime Krsna slipped from Kaliya's grip and mounted yet another of his heads, which resembled a garden of large swaying creepers.

Pointin towards Krsna, Balarama said, "Look at Krsna! His tender body and eyes beautified with kajala appear before you as personified death for the Kaliya serpent. His priceless jeweled ornaments sparkle a million times more than the fiery sparks dancing inside Kaliya's poisonous mouth. Kṛṣṇa has all the power to finish this demon, and He is artistically dressed with a turban, earrings, yellow cloth, and a fragrant forest garland. His beautiful curly hair has loosened during the fight to free Himself from the grip of the serpent. Tightening His cloth, Krsna is revealing a desire to kick down the heads of Kaliya and enjoy a dance there.

"Look just to please all of you, Krsna is determined to extinguish the dazzling gems on the hood of the serpent. Krsna's body glows with a de­sire to dance and diminish the radiance of those jewels. Understand this deeply and try to realize the purport of My words. Do not worry anymore about this insignificant calamity."

Krsna smiled and relished the mellow of laughter while Baladeva spoke. The Vrajavasis forgot their lamentation upon hearing Balarama's reas­suring words. Although still overwhelmed with fear due to seeing the gi­gantic size of the king of the snakes, they blossomed with happiness upon seeing Krsna whose gleaming joyful eyes looked as pleasing as kunda flow­ers.

Before enacting His dramatic dance on the hoods of Kaliya, Krsna cast a sidelong glance to enliven His friends and relatives, who brimmed with affection and complete attachment to Him. Accompanied only by His mind, Krsna displayed amazing skill as the best of dancers and the savior of His devotees. The Siddhas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, Vidyadharas and other demigods immediately arrived there to show their respect and ap­preciation for Krsna's unique dance performance. This joyful group of demigods exhibited their talent in music, singing and dancing by playing sweet melodies on mrdangas, murajas, panavas, and panas.

Sri Krsna, the unlimited reservoir of wonder who is expert in all artistic skills appeared to be cruelly smashing down Kaliya's heads with His feet, but actually Krsna showed him the greatest mercy. The demigods delighted in the variety of fast, slow and medium dances shown by the Lord, as they kept time with the right rythmn. The instruments of the demigods softly sounded thiya-ta-ta, ta-ta-thiya, thai-thai-thai, thaiya-ta-ta. They also played loud and high ptched sounds.

The demigods brought out newer and newer melodies by combining different notes, sounds and rhythms. Responding accordingly, Krsna nimbly stepped from one hood of the serpent to another. The demigods, however, could not keep up with the unique self-styled dancing of the Lord. Krsna, the supreme controller, moved rhythmically on the hoods of the serpent, and expertly danced in such a way to crush and suppress each of his hoods. As the beat drung-drung-drung, drimi-drimi, tung-tung-tung boomed faster and louder, Krsna's brilliance increased more and more as He stomped on the serpent's heads.

The extraordinary expertise of Krsna's dancing crushed the pride of the Apsaras and Gandharvas. Although feeling embarrassed, they tried their best to keep pace with Krsna. Defeated in their attempt, they just danced delightfully on their own. The resounding sounds of dundubhis, the deep reverberations of kettledrums, the chanting of hymns by the sages, and the showering of flowers from Nanda-kanana exhilarated the Yrajavasis and depressed the demons.

The ruthless steps of Vanamali Krsna's tandava dance devastated the serpent. Blood streamed from Kaliya's mouths, his eyes popped out, and his hoods completely collapsed. Seeing their husband vanquished and heart broken, the Nagapatnis (wives of Kaliya) felt sorry for him and cried pit-eously. Out of affection for him they thought, "Our husband will not sur­vive unless he attains the mercy of the Lord." Abandoning all fear and shyness, the Nagapatnis put their children on their laps and approached Krsna to petition Him on behalf of their husband.

The Nagapatnis offered prayers to Sri Krsna with sweet voices: "0 Lord, all glories unto You! 0 crest-jewel on the head of the demigods! Who other than You can be the Supreme Brahman? Brahma and Siva con­stantly glorify You, the unlimited ocean of transcendental qualities. The yogis and paramahamsas happily praise and meditate upon Your lotus feet, which are forever massaged by the auspicious lotus hands of God­dess Laksmi. As a swan extracts milk from a watery mixture, the paramahamsas reject the four desirable goals of human life to immerse themselves in the bliss of Your service.

"0 Lord, extolled throughout the Vedas. Please hear our prayer. 0 Lord, You are the personification of eternity, bliss and knowledge! You assume a transcendental body to annihilate all the demons! You are the oldest, the origin of everything, and yet You are an ever-fresh youth. You are the fountainhead of all the Visnu expansions! 0 Supreme Personality of Godhead! Please give up Your anger and show us Your mercy!

"0 Vasudeva, You are the life-giving Lord of all! 0 Sankarsana, You remove all the miseries of the universe! 0 Pradyumna, You are the trea­sure of love for all the Vrajavasis! 0 Aniruddha, Your Yogamaya potency prevents ordinary people from perceiving You! You are the Supersoul of all the demigods! Ah! You are the life and soul of the Vrajavasis. Be pleased with our prayers, 0 Lord, for the life of our husband is about to depart. "Your lotus feet which delight the atmaramas, remove all mental anxi­eties, and are rarely achieved even in samadhi now stand on the hoods of our husband. 0 Lord, we have no idea how Kaliya has attained such a rare fortune. This wicked snake deserves to be punished. Only by Your mercy can one give up his wickedness and follow the righteous path. It is impossible for a living entity to do this on his own.

"0 Lord! You alone maintain the entire universe created by the three modes of material nature by the mode of goodness, which purifies the mind. You create the world with passion and by ignorance, which is darker than night, You destroy the creation. 0 mighty armed! It is by name only that Visnu, who rides on Garuda, is called the maintainer, and that Brahma, who sits upon a lotus, is the creator, and that Siva, who sits atop Nandi, is called the destroyer.

"0 one who is dear to those who have nothing! Living entities appear by different combinations of the modes of nature. Being bom in the mode of ignorance, it is natural for a snake like Kaliya to be crooked. As it is impossible to see a flower creeper in the sky, it also impossible to find gentle behavior or good manners in him. He does nothing good for any­one, and he has no power to overcome Your maya. This is the nature of one who lives in hole.

"His actions cannot be considered offensive because that is his very nature. So how can You, who are eternally liberated, the ocean of mercy, and full of all opulence, deny him Your mercy? You always treat everyone equally and all Your acts convey auspiciousness. Therefore, please quickly show Your mercy to our afflicted husband. It does not befit You to kill such a lowly living entity.

"Even Siva, Brahma, Laksmi, and the sannyasis who perform sadhana, meditation, and attentive service cannot understand You. Hence, how can Kaliya, who is bewildered by pride and ignorance, know You? Your playful kicks and dancing on his heads have practically killed him. Al­though he is a very powerful serpent, he is so weakened that only his life air remains. Indeed he is cruel and ill behaved, but nevertheless he is one of Your living entities. Alas! We hope he will not die. Please forgive his offense and return our husband so that we will not become widows." The gentle beautiful Nagapatnis petitioned the Lord with piteous choked voices.

Krsna responded compassionately by dissipating His anger and reduc­ing the punishment. Smiling sweetly, Krsna replied to the wives of Kaliya, “Do not fear. Although I am very angry, your sweet appeal has satisfied Me. As a monsoon shower extinguishes a forest fire, your pleasing prayers have removed My intense anger. As a result I will spare his life. Now I request you to take your husband and return to your original abode. Since your husband's heads are now decorated with My bliss-giving lotus foot­prints, Garuda will feel blessed to see them. From now on you need not fear him."

His false pride broken like a person bent over from carrying a heavy mass of iron, Kaliya felt relieved and happy by the Lord's assurance of protection. With fear, devotion, and submission Kaliya said, "0 Lord! With all Your opulence You appear in this world to crush the demons and award the treasure ofprema to Your devotees. As long as the sun and the moon remain, Your beautiful pastimes will give joy to the minds of Your devotees. You always bring immediate auspiciousness to the unfortunate 0 abode of compassion!

"The River Yamuna is the ideal place for Your pastimes. Therefore You have rightly punished me for my offense of poisoning her waters. Who could have shown me more mercy than You? Your dancing has deco­rated my hoods with the splendid marks of Your lotus feet. Now my life has become completely auspicious. 0 younger brother of Baladevai By Your order I will now return to Ramanaka Island. 0 Supreme Lord of all the demigods! Due to some misfortune I have offended You. 0 You who wear makara kundala earrings! Please forgive me for my offensive behav­ior."

Concluding his prayer, Kaliya took out some special jewels from his collection and presented a valuable ruby and pearl necklace to Krsna as a gift. Then he and his family offered obeisances to the Lord and left the Yamuna. Immediately the water transformed into the sweetest nectar. After Kaliya left, the prince of Vraja, who ever enacts fresh and effulgent playful pastimes, climbed up on the bank of the Yamuna. The golden bangles on His lotus hands glistened attractively and His shimmering dhoti defeated the brightness of lightning.

Extinguishing the Forest Fire

With a pure loving heart Krsna paid obeisances to His parents and all the Vrajavasis. By taking part in Krsna's enchanting pastimes they crossed an ocean full of different mellows including fear, curiosity, and bliss. Nanda, Yasoda, and Balarama warmly embraced the beloved of Vrndavana. The cowherd girls cast sidelong glances toward Krsna. The innocent cows en-eircled Krsna, and looked at Him for a long time with eyes full of tears and hearts full of delight. While smelling the pleasing fragrance of Krsna’s body the cows felt overwhelmed and happily licked Him. It seemed that the cows inquired about Krsna's welfare by mooing with choked voices. Hearing the cheering of His friends submerged Krsna in an ocean of happiness. Then the subduer of Kaliya warmly embraced each of His boyfriends. That sweet Lord, who pleased the Vrajavasis by living with them in Vrndavana, relaxed on the riverbank enjoying with His friends. Seeing the setting sun, Vrajaraja Nanda announced, "Listen, it is almost night. I see the frightening darkness as a personification of Rudra. My glorious son has restored the purity of this lake by removing the fiery poison. So let us spend the night here in this auspicious place."

On hearing his words everyone felt happy. The ladies and cowherd girls became ecstatic to again see the beautiful form of Krsna, which is more elegant than a monsoon cloud, ever youthful, full of joy, and attractive to all. By gazing at their captivating Lord the gopis felt relieved of their anguish and mental disturbance that had previously felt like the itching of a skin sore.

Keeping Krsna in the center, the Vrajavasis surrounded Him in five circles. In the first circle nearest Krsna stood Vrajaraja Nanda and the elderly gopas, and next to them Yasoda and the cowherd boys assembled. The young gopis stood safely beside their mothers, and the married gopis remained near their mothers-in-law. The husbands of the loving gopis formed the second circle. The men in the third circle protected everyone with bows and arrows. Cows and calves comprised the fourth circle. Hold­ing a variety of weapons, Vraja's famous chivalrous soldiers formed the fifth circle. These five circles made a vyuha around Krsna.

The Vrajavasis spent half of the night discussing the incredible beauty of Krsna and His spectacular defeat of Kaliya. After they fell asleep a sweet and pleasant time arrived. In the quiet hours of night the eyes and minds of the gopis derived the fullest satisfaction from lovingly gazing at the attractive moon-like face of Krsna. Candravali and other gopi leaders relished a joyous festival for the eyes.

The desire which Radha and Krsna had previously sprouted burst into bloom now that there was an opportunity for fulfillment. Eager to meet, Radha and Krsna extended their necks in anticipation. With Their eyes locked in enchantment They sported with each other through romantic glances. The lotuses of Their eyes played seductively. First Radha dis­turbed Krsna's vision with a sidelong glance. The agitation resembled thd shaking of lotus flowers by the skittish movements of a wagtail bird. When Krsna opened the lotus of His sidelong glance, the flower of Radha's shyness reduced to a bud.

Struck by these lotuses, Cupid's arrows forcefully returned to the god of Iwe. As the curtain of darkness fell, the rising love between Radha and Krsna appeared as Cupid to envelop Them. Candravali and other gopis thought, "Oh! Krsna is only giving His love to the daughter of Vrsabhanu."

Suddenly some other gopis who had remained awake discussing Krsna's pastimes cried loudly, "0 look! Look! There is a great danger ahead!"

Hearing the commotion, the cows woke up and cautiously looked in all directions. The gopa leaders talked among themselves, "What is happen­ing?" Those who were asleep awoke and shouted in alarm. Looking worriedly toward Krsna, the gopis said, "The nails of His feet are more worshipable than millions of our lives. Let there be no danger to Him!" Judging from their frightened glances, Krsna, the darling of Vrndavana looked at them with love and assured them in a grave voice, "Fear not' Fear not!"

Speculating about the impending calamity, the people said, "Is Kaliya seeking revenge and racing along the path beside the lake? Or is it a large group of wild elephants charging madly due to intoxication from playing in a mountain pool?" Then someone announced in a loud voice mixed with pain, "Hey look! Come on, there is no way out! Surrounding us is a huge forest fire about to devour us. Fire! Fire!"

On hearing this, Vrajaraja Nanda became afraid, but remembering Gargamuni's words he immediately approached his son and said, "0 my dear son! Please save us! Save us! Just in front of us is an immense forest fire. You are the one and only Lord of Vrndavana. This terrible fire is burning down Your home of Vrndavana, and rushing toward us with tre­mendous speed. Only You can put out this fire. There can be no more auspiciousness unless it is extinguished."

Seeing His mother, father, friends, and family members overwhelmed with distress, Madhava said, "Do not fear!" An ordinary forest fire can­not appear in the transcendental land of Vrndavana. However, Krsna, by His own sweet will, manifested a fire to enchant everyone with His amaz­ing pastimes. The forest fire burned all the dry trees in its path. The leaves on the trees produced a crackling sound as they burned. Frightened ani­mals fled in all directions from the raging fire. Nanda saw the gigantic fire licking the sky with its flames.

While observing the forest fire, Krsna thought, "This devastating fire is killing many beasts and threatening the lives of My friends. I feel compas­sion for the trees whose leaves are burning to ashes. And it hurts Me to hear the terrified crying of the cows. The thick clouds of smoke have blinded the poor birds flying overhead. Maddened with fear, the deer are running hither and thither. Under these circumstances what shall I do.

As one pacifies the desires of poverty-stricken persons as soon as they arise, Krsna extinguished the fire as soon as it appeared. It disappeared as quickly as an illusion, a magician's trick, a flash of lightning, an object in dream, or as the wealth of an unfortunate person. Under the shower ° Krsna's merciful glance the trees, shrubs, and creepers returned to the previous state. Not a trace of the forest fire remained. Observing this, everyone said in amazement, "We talked just like madmen. Where is that fire?”

In the evening light, the son of the king of Vrndavana looked very el­egant as He entered the town with His cowherd friends. Krsna, the glory of His family, is filled with boundless bliss and always absorbed in exciting pastimes. He is a nectar shower of mercy, and the essence of all good fortune who teaches the laws of love to His devotees. The people of Vrndavana surrounded Krsna and took great pleasure in praising Him with the prayers of Gargacarya. Pangs of separation overcame the Vraja gopis while waiting for Krsna to return. Although they spent the night like women far from their homes, when they saw Krsna coming they again overflowed with love.

Gopala Champu

Chapter Thirteen - Defeating Kāliya, the Forest Fire

[1] As on previous days, when the assembly met early in the morning, Madhukaṇṭha was eager to speak, but he began to reflect internally.

[2] “Śukadeva has described the killing of Dhenuka directly after the description of Kṛṣṇa starting to herd the cows, because it also deals with the same subject of herding the cows. This is actually said to have taken place at the end of Kṛṣṇa’s paugaṇḍa age since on that day a portion of kaiśora was manifesting when he entered his house.[1] Therefore this event took place after subduing Kāliya, though Śukadeva describes it before Kāliya’s killing. This is made clear in Hari-vaṁśa (2.13.1). After describing the subduing of Kāliya in that text, the killing of Dhenuka is described. Even by logic this sequence becomes evident. Padma Purāṇa clearly describes that Kṛṣṇa began herding cows on the eighth waxing lunar day of Kārtika month (October). Tāla fruits become ripe in Bhādra month (September). Therefore Dhenuka was killed during Bhādra month (when he was guarding the tāla fruit.) Therefore I should describe Kāliya’s defeat before describing the killing of Dhenuka.

[3] He began speaking aloud, “Those who are famous as poets are not really poets. They describe matters of happiness as if they were events of great distress.” ||1||

Remaining silent, he then spoke again:

“He is the best among poets who, conquering all unfavorable topics before him whether involving happiness or bravery, attains excellence in an unprecedented way, and who, singing of this continually in his heart, is not fully satisfied.” ||2||

[4] “Though the describing the defeat of Kāliya is intolerable, all the events will bring happiness to people in the future. With that in mind, I will now describe it. Please listen.” Requesting in this way he began speaking while trembling.

[5] Since the cows were wandering everywhere, Balarāma gave permission to Kṛṣṇa to go to the lake of Kāliya, but not to go into its waters, since it was also according to instructions given by Yaśodā. His constant desire to see this place had not decreased for a long time, because of his great curiosity and his great, unimpaired strength, which showed intolerance of the influence of demons.

[7] One day the birth constellation (Śravaṇa) of Balarāma arrived like a guest coming to the assembly of Vraja. Balarāma was kept in the house in order that he takes an auspicious, joyful bath.

[8] Kṛṣṇa, thinking of nourishing the pregnant cows, went out with his friends but without Balarāma, and came to a small forest.When lunch time arrived he took the opportunity to cheat others. Quickly, like an ocean of black nectar, he went towards Kāliya’s lake in the black Yamunā, filled with poison which would kill others.

[9] The chief cowherd boys went in front of the cows. Seeing an area of grass which the cows had never eaten, out of curiosity the boys delayed themselves for a short time. The cows, out of great thirst in the summer heat, began drinking the water mixed with the snake’s poison. As soon as they drank the water, they fell unconscious. The boys in front, seeing this, began to lament. Desiring to give up their bodies, they also drank the water and fell unconscious.

[10] This was the working of Yogamāyā alone, which makes the impossible destruction of demons possible.

[11] Immediately Kṛṣṇa came and, seeing everyone unconscious, changed his complexion and began lamenting:

“The cows, like the inhabitants of Vraja, are equivalent to devatās. The boys are equivalent to my life. They have all fallen into danger. What should I do? I am their only helper. What will I say to their mothers and fathers and all people? What misfortune my impulsive nature gives.” ||3||

[12] With his heart melting, Kṛṣṇa glanced at all the boys and cows. His lips became moist and his eyes filled with tears of great regret. The streams of tears, falling on earth like drops of nectar, revived the boys. But those who were not immediately in front of him did not regain consciousness immediately, since he wanted to see each person personally.

[13] When they were revived, they did not immediately think and move about. They realized that Kṛṣṇa, moving here and there, had protected them from fainting from the poison of Agha and again they understood that he was their source of consciousness.

[14] Seeing them with disheveled clothing and sitting upright, he gathered them together and embraced each one.

[15] It is said that he has a natural quality which surpass logic. Thinking of that quality, he immediately manifests many forms at once.

[16] Meeting the boys:

Their eyes filled with tears. Their bodies became motionless and they lost consciousness. Their attempts at communicating became repeatedly useless. What is happiness? What is suffering? They remained without moving. They could not give each other up from a long time even for a moment. ||4||

[17] Meeting the cows:

Mooing, the cows assembled and licked Kṛṣṇa for a long time. They were eager to be with him and their necks became splendid when he embraced them with his two arms. The boys then gave up embracing the cows’ necks and remained standing there with eyes unsatisfied on drinking the brilliant nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s face. ||5||

[18] In that condition, there arose in Kṛṣṇa intense emotion. Previously Kṛṣṇa, endowed with beauty, had been eager to kill the snake living in the water, who gave sorrow to the moving and non-moving beings on the shores of the river, but he remained silent out of shyness in front of the snake’s wives. But now, unable to tolerate the approach of death to the cowherds and cows, he became most angry.

[19] Hiding his feelings, he spoke, “O friends! Look! The uncontrollable snake called Kāliya lives in this lake by stopping the motion of the water. By hissing, the snake makes the whole place poisonous. All places are afflicted by this burning poison. Afflicted by the poison, birds in the sky fall down. See this with your eyes. Out of fear of the snake who devours their life airs, the birds fall and cannot be revived. Though this kadamba tree that you see is also afflicted by the poison, because Garuḍa has sprinkled nectar on it, that tree alone remains splendid with beautiful leaves and buds. Even now, in a hole high up in the tree the nectar remains. I will climb the tree and see. Go a little distance away and care for the cows.”

[20] Speaking in this way, lotus-faced Kṛṣṇa climbed the kadamba tree, and, tightening his belt, like a shining cloud of nectar, jumped into the abode of Kāliya to have some fun in the water, which appeared like another cloud by proximity to his body.

[21] He swam around in the water of the serpent lake measuring four hundred hastas. For Kṛṣṇa, who was the result of Nanda’s pious acts, for Kṛṣṇa who had unlimited power, such an action was not remarkable, for Kṛṣṇa had reached the paugaṇḍa age. His body was not very strong but near the snake, his body shone like ten-thousand suns. His arms mocked the serpent by thrashing the water with sound, showing his prowess which could restrain the elephant of the devatās. The family members of Kāliya could not tolerate his skill. Kāliya in his playground then approached Kṛṣṇa, who was smiling because of the joy of playing; who was like an attractive, dark cloud, with his garland as a rainbow, his arms and legs as Indra’s invisible rainbow, and his yellow cloth as lightning.

[23] Thinking he could crush Kṛṣṇa with his coils which were like the noose of Varuṇa and with his poisonous, ravenous fangs, Kāliya was pride incarnate. To crush his pride, Yogamāyā produced a shield to cover Kṛṣṇa’s body. Kṛṣṇa jumped upon him and remained there. The snake’s powerful hoods became powerless as a spider’s web and his poisonous fangs became like piles of cotton.

[24] But when Kṛṣṇa, wearing a garland of kadamba flowers, jumped from the kadamba tree, his friends with agitated hearts cried out in sorrow and stumbled as they ran towards that place.

[25] The cows along with their calves also came running there.

[26] When his friends began to enter the water, the cows followed. Seeing the cows following them, the cowherd boys became disturbed and felt completely helpless. With burned up bodies, resembling sunken areas on the bank of the Yamunā, they maintained their lives only with the hope that Kṛṣṇa would emerge from the water just as he emerged from the stomach of Bakāsura.

The friends thought, “Is this the waking state? Is this a dream? Is this deep sleep? Have we fainted? Is this death? Or is this life?” They could not distinguish. The cows filled up the hearts of the boys with their rivers of tears, as if filling the lake with poison. ||6||

[27] When the boys had attained such a state externally and were internally not functioning, the devatās produced natural calamities, on considering that no one would inform the people of Vraja of such an unfortunate event.

[28] The people of Vraja said:

“Why is there such a disturbance in the heavens, sky and on earth at this time? All these disturbances have arisen because of Kṛṣṇa, the lord of our lives.” ||7||

[29] All the citizens along with the leaders who had come to the assembly of Nanda to find a suitable place for eating on the occasion of Balarāma’s constellation celebration became extremely agitated. Yaśodā and the other women gave up shyness and came to that place. From a distance she spoke:

“Because Kṛṣṇa went to that poisonous place without Balarāma, there are many inauspicious omens. The time for returning has come, but Kṛṣṇa has not arrived. How can the leader of the cowherds remain here contentedly?” ||8||

Criticizing their bodies, houses and all objects devoid of Kṛṣṇa, they gave up the excellent food. They became devoid of life, while going to the evil lake of Kāliya. ||9||

[30] Understanding Kṛṣṇa’s powers, Balarāma remained happy. Though others were worried about the cause of the omens, Balarāma did not seek their cause. He desired to speak. Otherwise, he would have been considered ignorant. Yogamāyā produced suitable thoughts for him.

[31] He considered in his mind: “Repeatedly thinking systematically, we can know that Kṛṣṇa, who is like a forest fire for the evil persons who are like bamboo, cannot be killed by them. Since the inhabitants are maintained by great affection for him, on seeing evil omens which are like thunderbolts, they worry for his life, and they make great attempts to go to him who is the cause of their life. Since they are like uncontrollable elephants who cannot tolerate the fire generated from forest wood and seek coolness, and whose foreheads ooze liquid because of rut, they will not listen if I oppose them. I am also afflicted in seeing that they are worried because of separation from Kṛṣṇa and are now suffering. That suffering cannot be erased. If I acknowledge that suffering, it will become less. Just as a blazing fire makes a small light insignificant, by recognizing their suffering, my suffering will become reduced. The best plan is to joke while thinking of the greatest auspiciousness. One must consider that they are thinking only of Kṛṣṇa’s welfare. I should not think of preventing them. Let them consider that I and Kṛṣṇa have been one life till this time.”

[32] Considering all this, he then suddenly laughed. Getting some comfort, the inhabitants began to move again.

Thinking that the path was long, their eyes widened. They saw Kṛṣṇa’s footprints on the path. When the path became wet with their tears, they held the hand of Balarāma. Taking his assistance, they continued moving. ||10||

Though they tried to move quickly, they unfortunately moved slowly. Only with great difficulty they proceeded to the lake. I cannot fathom their internal state at that time. ||11||

Seeing Kṛṣṇa dancing on Kāliya’s hoods, Nanda, the cowherds and women became completely disturbed in heart. Their limbs dried up and became discolored. One would think that their internal fires were leaving their bodies. ||12||

They experienced pain on seeing that humans had lost all intelligence and were behaving like animals and animals were weeping like humans. ||13||

As ice dries up ghee, the hearts of the people full of affection dried up because of fright. But as the sun melts ghee, they melted because of the heat generated by what they saw. ||14||

Full of affection, they started to enter the poisonous lake like a wave, but Balarāma, though a child, assumed great strength and quickly stopped them like a dam. ||15||

[33] He said, “O father, king of Vraja! O queen of Vraja! Do I not have affection for Kṛṣṇa? O mother Rohiṇī! I know the truth about Kṛṣṇa. Touching the effulgence of your lotus feet, I swear that not a hair on his head will be harmed. This is according to Garga’s words.” ||16||

[34] In this way Balarāma held them raising his excellent arms.

Withdrawing from the poisonous lake, they perceived that their lives were even more seriously in danger, since they felt themselves in the midst of the poison on seeing Kṛṣṇa there. ||17||

When Kṛṣṇa was in Kāliya’s lake the people of Gokula began weeping. Heaven wept (rudatī) like an echo in reply, thus showing the derivation of the word rodas (sky). ||18|| [

The cowherd women, grasping each others’ necks, wept loudly. But this weeping made the mothers remember how Kṛṣṇa was saved from Pūtanā and this gave them comfort. ||19||

Pained by their situation and seeing their attempt to enter the lake, Kṛṣṇa angrily extended his limbs and began cutting the limbs of the snake. Quickly the snake became limp and Kṛṣṇa climbed upon him. ||20||

[35] When Kṛṣṇa climbed on the snake, though Kāliya resisted, all became overjoyed.

The devatās showered flowers while shouting, “Victory! Victory!” and playing instrumental music. The inhabitants of Vraja, its children, youths and elders made soft sounds in joy, which surpassed the sounds of the devatās. ||21||

[36] The evil snake’s heart was agitated by the effulgence of Kṛṣṇa. Longing to curb Kṛṣṇa’s pride, he stood at a distance, eager to accomplish his desire. His anger grew, revealing his naturally cruel nature. With great pride he prepared to attack Kṛṣṇa. Hissing and glancing harshly, he produced virulent poison. His body became as huge as a mountain. Bewildered, the snake flicked its forked tongue at the edge of its lips as if calling out, “I am a snake with two tongues, I am flicking my tongue.” Desiring to be punished, he displayed himself everywhere.

[37] Like an expert snake charmer, Kṛṣṇa began moving about with pride in order to seal the snake’s mouth. The snake came close to him with his heads. Sometimes like a snake, it would move far or would come close. With its tongue moving crookedly, it moved about everywhere and became tired.

[38] Though Kṛṣṇa was eager to show his expertise at fighting this long snake, on seeing an opportunity, he caught the main neck of the snake with force and brought it under control.

[39] Having brought all the limbs of the snake under control, Kṛṣṇa had the strong desire to dance on the dance floor of the snake’s broad foreheads encrusted with jewels. Thus, with beautiful effulgence and eyes, to the accompaniment of music and song, he began dancing on the snake without the assistance of others—whose eyes were filled with tears. ||22||

The flood of beauty from Vraja, mixed with joy and astonishment, reached the heavens. And the sounds from Svarga reached Vraja on earth. One could not detect which was the original sound and which was the echo. ||23||

He then began to dance very quickly to the accompaniment of Śiva’s drum, which gives the opportunity for pride, in order to punish Kāliya. Jumping higher and higher, he crushed the serpent’s heads. With anger and great pleasure, he danced excellently on Kāliya’s head. ||24||

Brahmā and Śiva sprinkled flowers and shouted, “Victory! Victory!” while their hairs stood on end. In joy they perspired. All the devatās began singing joyfully to accompany Kṛṣṇa’s dancing. ||25||

Nanda and all the other living beings saw Kṛṣṇa enter the mouth of Kāliya and then come out, offering āratrika with his life, and saw him dance with his toe nails upon the heads of the snake. The joy in their eyes and body spread throughout the universe. ||26||

It was astonishing that Kṛṣṇa danced on Kāliya’s heads and in the sky. Whenever Kāliya raised one of his heads in anger, Kṛṣṇa beat it down with his foot to the rhythm of the music. ||27||

Kāliya began to vomit blood and ooze poison from his eyes. His head, with jewels askew, was injured by the imprints of Kṛṣṇa’s feet. When his body became limp, he could no longer serve as the dance floor for Kṛṣṇa’s feet. Kāliya’s wives saw him in this condition. ||28||

[40] First the snake was broken and then torn apart. He no longer had a proper form and could not move at all. He then surrendered to Nārāyaṇa in order to stop the intense pain caused by Kṛṣṇa.

[41] Kāliya’s wives never had great affection for Kāliya since they knew he was opposed to the Lord. But seeing him with a sprout of devotion, they approached Kṛṣṇa because of that. ||29||

Placing their young daughters, sons and eggs in front of Kṛṣṇa, they offered him respects. ||30||

[42] Greatly desiring to appease his devotees, Kṛṣṇa smiled. Repeatedly rolling on the ground, the wives pleaded with him in pitiful voices. The meaning of their words is summarized here.

This proud snake has no intelligence. We follow you, omniscient and full of mercy. If you have affection for us, then do as you wish. ||31||

Those whose evil nature cannot be removed by your association deserve to be punished. See. This poisonous lake in front of us has immediately lost its poison due to contact with you. ||32||

You show only mercy. What appears to be punishment inflicted by you is only our foolish misconception. If the serpent deserves punishment and you are determined to give punishment by any means, then why have you offered your lotus feet for giving him punishment? ||33||

The snake must have performed many pious acts, and as result, has received the touch of your lotus feet. We understand that you have touched him with your lotus feet in order to purify his body of sinful acts. ||34||

Kṛṣṇa, who showed great mercy by placing his feet on Kāliya’s heads which deserved to be crushed and by marking them with his foot prints, is our shelter. ||35||

[43] When the king of snakes became humble, Kṛṣṇa accepted him with compassion, gave up his anger, and gave fame to Yaśodā. When Kṛṣṇa alighted from the hoods of Kāliya, who had beaten by his feet, the snake, without displaying excessive prowess, remained with bowed head. Kṛṣṇa for some moments glanced at him with compassion and then purified Kāliya’s heart like the water in the Yamunā abounding with lotuses.

[44] When the snake had all his faults removed, he gave up his anger and begged with folded hands.

[45] I am sinful, but that is my nature.

Whatever good or bad qualities I have, my success depends on you alone. What other accomplishment do I have than having your feet placed on my head? ||36||

[46] Therefore please tell me where I can go.

[47] Kṛṣṇa gave him the following order.

O king of the snakes! Fortunately you have given up your bad qualities. Your birth as a snake is not beneficial for the world.

nātra stheyaṁ tvayā sarpa samudraṁ yāhi mā ciram |

tvaṁ jṣāty-apatya-dārāḍhyo go-nṛbhir bhujyate nadī ||

O serpent, you may not remain here any longer. Go back to the ocean immediately, accompanied by your retinue of children, wives, other relatives and friends. Let this river be enjoyed by the cows and humans. SB 10.16.60

dvīpaṁ ramaṇakaṁ hitvā hradam etam upāśritaḥ |

yad-bhayāt sa suparṇas tvāṁ nādyān mat-pāda-lāṣchitam ||

Out of fear of Garuḍa, you left Ramaṇaka Island and came to take shelter of this lake. But because you are now marked with my footprints, Garuḍa will no longer try to eat you. SB 10.16 .64

“According to authorities, an r at the end of sentence becomes visarga (ḥ).” It is my opinion that a fool (repha) should leave the village because of contact with my foot. This is your punishment. ||37||

Because your head is marked with my foot print, you will be known to have all good qualities in the future in Ramaṇaka. ||38||

[48] Having fallen down like a rod, the king of the snakes offered his head to the lotus hand of the lord, which was like nectar, and became free of all faults when his body was saturated with nectar.

[49] Śukadeva has described Kāliya’s later actions as follows:

taṁ pūjayāmāsa mudā nāgaḥ patnyaś ca sādaram |

divyāmbara-sraṅ-maṇibhiḥ parārdhyair api bhūṣaṇaiḥ |

divya-gandhānulepaiś ca mahatyotpala-mālayā ||

pūjayitvā jagannāthaṁ prasādya garuḍa-dhvajam |

tataḥ prīto ’bhyanujṣātaḥ parikramyābhivandya tam ||

sakalatra-suhṛt-putro dvīpam abdher jagāma ha |

tadaiva sāmṛta-jalā yamunā nirviṣābhavat ||

Kāliya joined his wives in worshiping Him with great joy and reverence. Kāliya worshiped the Lord of the universe by offering him fine garments, along with necklaces, jewels and other valuable ornaments, wonderful scents and ointments, and a large garland of lotus flowers. Having thus pleased the Lord, whose flag is marked with the emblem of Garuḍa, Kāliya felt satisfied. Receiving the Lord’s permission to leave, Kāliya circumambulated him and offered him obeisances. Then, taking his wives, friends and children, he went to his island in the sea. The very moment Kāliya left, the Yamunā was immediately restored to her original condition, free from poison. SB 10.16.65-68

kṛṣṇaṁ hradād viniṣkrāntaṁ divya-srag-gandha-vāsasam |

mahā-maṇi-gaṇākīrṇaṁ jāmbūnada-pariṣkṛtam |

upalabhyotthitāḥ sarve labdha-prāṇā ivāsavaḥ ||

Kṛṣṇa rose up out of the lake wearing divine garlands, fragrances and garments, covered with many fine jewels, and decorated with gold. When the cowherds saw him they all stood up immediately, just like an unconscious person’s senses coming back to life. SB 10.17.13-14

What is great and priceless is called divya. But in this case what shines on Kṛṣṇa’s limbs is called divya. ||39||

The eternal items were present in the lake in the Yamunā. As the full moon rests among the constellations over the Eastern Mountain, the Kaustubha jewel among all eternal things shines eternally on the body of Kṛṣṇa ||40||

The astonishing nature of the Lord called “he who has Garuḍa on his flag” is not found in Dvārakā. ||41||

By logical one can conclude that Garuḍa, having great powers like a devatā, travels in the sky. If Garuḍa travelled in any other way, it would give trouble to other entities. How could that be approved by Kṛṣṇa? ||42||

When the Yamunā was touched by his feet, it became like nectar.

Kṛṣṇa’s ornaments and clothing did not become contaminated by the gifts offered by Kāliya. The snakes suddenly saw Kṛṣṇa. Therefore it is suitable to say that “Kṛṣṇa rose up out of the lake wearing divine garlands, fragrances and garments, covered with many fine jewels.” ||44||

[50] The emotions on seeing Kṛṣṇa are described.

The people made great noise, came quickly, developed slack limbs, quivered, spoke in broken words, and wept. But they could not be completely satisfied with seeing him. In their happiness on attaining Kṛṣṇa there was also grief. ||45||

The inhabitants experienced complete bliss on hearing that Kṛṣṇa was coming. But by this, their bodies and minds were not able to function at all. ||46||

On seeing the symptoms of his friends such as being stunned in all joints, hairs standing on end resembling boils, eyes flowing with tears, choked up voice, shivering such that the teeth made chattering sounds and were about to fall out, and perspiration which cleaved the body, Kṛṣṇa became aggrieved. ||47||

[51] First, the black, wide eyes of his friends filled with tears on seeing him rise from the water. Then their bodies began quivering as if they were dancing. When he embraced them, waves of joy appeared, such that they could not identify themselves to him.

[52] Kṛṣṇa respected them all, and made his mother, father and friends happy. Because of this, they became stunned and experienced the greatest bliss.

[53] If the sages were not telling the truth, who would believe them? The cows and other animals excited by Kṛṣṇa’s arrival, acted just like the inhabitants of Vraja. The trees also had dried up previously from grief. Now in great joy their leaves and flowers began to blossom.

When all the friends met with Kṛṣṇa, conqueror of demons, certainly unprecedentedly love spread everywhere. When Yaśodā, overflowing with prema, arrived, what can be said? All people simply melted. ||48||

[54] Thinking of his strength, Balarāma was happy, but he had dried up internally because of the suffering of the people of Vraja. Though that had happened, concealing his grief by his inscrutable nature, he smiled. Kṛṣṇa smiled and embraced him for a long time.

[55] The people began to consider:

“If one attains Kṛṣṇa in a dream, then grief concerning him also occurs in a dream. But if we attain Kṛṣṇa in the waking state, we have attained our goal and there is no obstacle to our happiness.” ||49||

[56] In order that all could see him, they placed him in the center, like a lost treasure regained. He was like the sun amidst the planets, giving joy to the eyes of the devatās moving in the sky without shame. A multitude of men and women gathered and brāhmaṇas knowing the Vedas invoked future auspiciousness and gave Kṛṣṇa blessings. They then praised Nanda and instilled confidence in everyone:

“O Nanda! We repeatedly describe your son who has killed many enemies. You desired to destroy all inauspiciousness. He has come quickly because of your pious acts.” ||50||

[57] Having experienced both lamentation and joy, the people were unaware of the passing of time. Night had arrived. Having become thin because of affliction from extreme fatigue because of Kṛṣṇa who is beyond hunger and thirst, they stayed at that place till the morning. Fearing enemies, Yaśodā kept her son on her lap all night. Completely absorbed in seeing Kṛṣṇa’s face with happiness, she remembered his activities with astonishment. Morning then arrived. Though they milked the cows they did not give Kṛṣṇa the milk, though he was hungry, for fear that the whole place was contaminated with poison.

[58] During the night Kṛṣṇa performed another praiseworthy activity. When Kāliya was banished from the Yamunā, Kaṁsa heard the news from his spies. Overcome with anxiety he became motionless.

[59-60] He began thinking, “Oh! All my warriors have been killed by that boy. An evil spirit with a face of fire, laughing, burns my assistants. Going throughout the universe it dances. Though Kāliya was powerful, his strength was suddenly destroyed. I consider his banishment like his death since we are now without any idea about what to do. We must do something so that we are not injured and Kṛṣṇa is destroyed.”

[61] Kaṁsa heard from other messengers that Kṛṣṇa was on the bank of Yamunā with the inhabitants of Vraja. Hearing this he ordered his nearby followers to go there, light a blazing fire everywhere and then disappear.

[62] Following his order they went there and lit a fire. When the forest fire began to burn the inhabitants, they quickly fled. They then began to think, “Some evil persons will catch us.” With Balarāma they went to Kṛṣṇa and reported what happened:

“We are not afraid of death or a river of hardship. But we are afraid of not seeing your moonlike face.” ||51||

Kṛṣṇa then extinguished the fire just by blowing but sages fancy that he swallowed the fire. ||52||

[63] When the fire was created by scheming Kaṁsa, the fire was destroyed and they were saved from the calamity. When dawn came, they returned to Vraja joyfully following Kṛṣṇa under his influence. On the way, Balarāma entered the Yamunā and pulled Kṛṣṇa in as well. Playing with their friends, they brought the cows into the water. After much fun, he allowed them to return home.

[64] The return home is described.

As the sun and other planets enter the sky, the inhabitants entered Vraja, putting Kṛṣṇa in the center and dancing without shame in great joy to the accompaniment of music, singing, dancing, chanting the Vedas, monsoon showers of flowers from earth and heaven, shouts of “Victory! Victory!” and a joyous clamour. ||53||

[65] They let the cows roam about. Though nothing had been protected, by the influence of the elevated persons, not even water containers were perceived as different from what they were before. Nothing could be rejected as inferior. Though the huge quantity of food cooked in ghee was old, it did not rot. Since only the food cooked the previous morning for Balarāma’s celebration was available, everyone took that food in the house and, putting Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma in front, without worries, they ate all the food.

[66] Having spoken Madhukaṇṭha then concluded:

“That child born to you, having subdued Kāliya, then subdued Kaṁsa and others.” ||54||

[67] In this way the inhabitants of Vraja crossed the two rivers of danger by the boat of Kṛṣṇa. After experiencing the actions giving bliss, to conclude the story and shower sweet nectar of praise, the two reciters folded their hands and remained standing. After a long time the inhabitants of Vraja, serving Kṛṣṇa by caressing and protecting him, returned to their duties along with Nanda.

[1] SB 10.15.43 mentions the gopīs glancing at Kṛṣṇa with affection at the end of paugaṇḍa age.