Sri Garga-samhita

Sri Garga-samhita

Sri Garga-samhita

Chapter Twelve Kāliya-damanaṁ davāgni-pānam Subduing Kāliya and Drinking the Forest Fire

Text 1

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca balaṁ vinātha gopālais cārayan gā hariḥ svayam kālindī-kūlam āgatya yayau vāri-viṣāvṛtam

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; balam Balarāma ; vinā without ; atha then ; gopālaiḥ with the gopas ; cārayan herding ; gāḥ the cows ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; svayam personally ; kālindī-kūlam to the shore of the Yamunā ; āgatya coming ; yayau went ; vāri water ; viṣa with poison ; āvṛtam *filled.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: One day, as in Balarāma's absence He was herding the cows with the gopas as His company, Kṛṣṇa came to the shore of the Yamunā, which at that time was filled with poisoned water.
Text 2

Verse text

kāliyena phaṇīndreṇa jalaṁ yatra vidūṣitam pītvā nipetur vyasavo gāvo gopā jalāntike

Synonyms

kāliyena by Kaliya ; phaṇīndreṇa the king of snakes ; jalam the water ; yatra where ; vidūṣitam polluted ; pītvā having drunk ; nipetuḥ fell ; vyasavaḥ dead ; gāvaḥ the cows ; gopā gopas ; jala the water ; antike *near.

Translation

When they drank the water poisoned by the snake-king Kāliya, the cows and gopas at once fell dead at the water's edge.
Text 3

Verse text

tadā tān jīvayām āsa dṛṣṭyā pīyūṣa-pūrṇayā ardra-citto hariḥ sākṣād bhagavān vṛjinārdanaḥ

Synonyms

tadā then ; tān them ; jīvayām āsa restored to life ; dṛṣṭyā with aglance ; pīyūṣa-pūrṇayā filled with nectar ; ardra melting with compassion ; cittaḥ whos eheart ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; sākṣāt directly ; bhagavān the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; vṛjina from distresses ; ardanaḥ *the savior.

Translation

Then with a nectar-filled glance Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the savior from distress, His heart melting with compassion, brought them back to life.
Text 4

Verse text

kaṭau pīta-paṭaṁ baddhvā nīpam āruhya mādhavaḥ papātottuṅga-viṭapāt tat-toye viṣa-dūṣite

Synonyms

kaṭau at His waist ; pīta-paṭam the yellow sahs ; baddhvā tying ; nīpam a kadamba tree ; āruhya climbing ; mādhavaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; papāta dived ; uttuṅga-viṭapāt from the tall tree ; tat-toye into the water ; viṣa-dūṣite *poisoned.

Translation

Tightening the yellow sash about His waist and climbing a kadamba tree, Kṛṣṇa dove from that tall tree into the poisoned water.
Text 5

Verse text

uccacāla jalaṁ duṣṭaṁ kṛṣṇa-saṅghāta-ghūrṇitam tat-sarpa-mandire nadyāṁ bhṛṅgī-bhūtaṁ babhūva ha

Synonyms

uccacāla rose ; jalam the water ; duṣṭam poisoned ; kṛṣṇa-saṅghāta-ghūrṇitam by the thrashing of Kṛṣṇa ; tat-sarpa-mandire in the abode of that snake ; nadyām in the river ; bhṛṅgī-bhūtam become a wasp ; babhūva became ; ha *indeed.

Translation

As Kṛṣṇa thrashed about, the poisoned water rose in great waves. Kṛṣṇa was like a wasp that had entered the snake's river-palace.
Text 6

Verse text

tadaiva kāliyaḥ kruddhaḥ phaṇī phaṇa-śatāvṛtaḥ daśan dantaiś ca bhujayā cacchāda nṛpa mādhavam

Synonyms

tadā then ; eva indeed ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; kruddhaḥ angry ; phaṇī snake ; phaṇa-śatāvṛtaḥ with a hundred hoods ; daśan biting ; dantaiḥ with many fangs ; ca and ; bhujayā with coils ; cacchāda covered ; nṛpa O king ; mādhavam *Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Then the snake Kāliya, who had a hundred heads, coiled himself around Kṛṣṇa and with many fangs bit Him.
Texts 7 and 8

Verse text

kṛṣṇo dīrghaṁ vapuḥ kṛtvā bandhanān nirgataś ca tam pucche gṛhītvā sarpendraṁ bhrāmayitvā tv itas tataḥ jale nipatya hastābhyāṁ cikṣepāśu dhanuḥ-śatam punar utthāya sarpendro lelihāno bhayaṅkaraḥ

Synonyms

kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; dīrgham a long ; vapuḥ form ; kṛtvā manifesting ; bandhanān from the bondage ; nirgataś gone ; ca and ; tam him ; pucche on the tail ; gṛhītvā grabbing ; sarpendram the king of snakes ; bhrāmayitvā whirling about ; tv indeed ; itas tataḥ here and there ; jale into the water ; nipatya fallen ; hastābhyām with both hands ; cīkṣepa threw ; āśu suddenly ; dhanuḥ-śatam two hundred yards ; punaḥ again ; utthāya rising ; sarpendraḥ the king of snakes ; lelihānaḥ licking his tongue ; bhayaṅkaraḥ *terrifying.

Translation

Expanding His form, Kṛṣṇa broke free of the snake's clutches. With both hands grabbing its tail, Kṛṣṇa whirled the snake-king and tossed it two hundred yards away in the water. When the terrifying snake-king rose again, it was licking its tongue.
Text 9

Verse text

vāma-haste hariṁ sarpo ruṣā jagrāha mādhavam harir dakṣiṇa-hastena gṛhītvā taṁ mahā-khalam

Synonyms

vāma-haste the left hand ; harim Kṛṣṇa ; sarpaḥ the snake ; ruṣā angrily ; jagrāha grabbed ; mādhavam Kṛṣṇa ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; dakṣiṇa-hastena with His right hand ; gṛhītvā grabbing ; tam him ; mahā-khalam *the great demon.

Translation

The snake angrily grabbed Kṛṣṇa's left hand. Then with His right hand Kṛṣṇa grabbed the demon-snake.
Text 10

Verse text

taj-jale pothayām āsa suparṇa iva pannagam sarpo mukha-śataṁ dīrghaṁ prasārya punar āgataḥ

Synonyms

taj-jale in the water ; pothayām āsa threw ; suparṇa Garuḍa ; iva like ; pannagam a snake ; sarpaḥ the snake ; mukha-śatam who had a hundred faces ; dīrgham long ; prasārya opening ; punaḥ again ; āgataḥ *came.

Translation

Kṛṣṇa threw the snake far away, as Garuḍa would have thrown it. Expanding its hundred hoods, the snake returned.
Text 11

Verse text

pucche gṛhītvā taṁ kṛṣṇas cakarṣāśu dhanu-śatam kṛṣṇa-hastād viniṣkramya sarpas taṁ vyadaśat punaḥ

Synonyms

pucche on the tail ; gṛhītvā grabbing ; tam him ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; cakarṣa did ; āśu —at once ; dhanu-śatam two hundred yards ; kṛṣṇa-hastāt from Kṛṣṇa's hand ; viniṣkramya escaping ; sarpaḥ the snake ; tam Him ; vyadaśat bit ; punaḥ *again.

Translation

Then Kṛṣṇa grabbed the snake's tail and suddenly threw it two hundred yards away. As it was being thrown by Kṛṣṇa's hand, the snake bit the Lord again.
Text 12

Verse text

tatāḍa muṣṭinā sarpaṁ trailokya-bala-dharakaḥ kṛṣṇa-muṣṭi-prahāreṇa mūrcchito vigata-smṛtiḥ

Synonyms

tatāḍa struck ; muṣṭinā with a fist ; sarpam the sanke ; trailokya-bala-dharakaḥ who had all the strength in the three worlds ; kṛṣṇa of Kṛṣṇa ; muṣṭi-prahāreṇa with a punch ; mūrcchitaḥ fainted ; vigata-smṛtiḥ *unconscious.

Translation

Then Kṛṣṇa, who has all the strength in the three worlds, punched the snake. With Kṛṣṇa's punch, the snake fell unconscious.
Texts 13-15

Verse text

nataṁ kṛtvānana-śataṁ sthito 'bhūt kṛṣṇa-sammukhe āruhya tat-phaṇi-śataṁ maṇi-vṛnda-manoharam nanarta naṭavat kṛṣṇo naṭa-veṣo manoharaḥ gāyan sapta-svarai rāgaṁ saṅgitaṁ ca sa-tālakam puṣpair deveṣu varṣatsu tāṇḍave naṭa-rāja-vat vādayan sa mudā vīṇā- nakadundubhi-veṇukān

Synonyms

natam bowed down ; kṛtvā masking ; anana-śatam hundred heads ; sthitaḥ situated ; abhūt became ; kṛṣṇa-sammukhe in Kṛṣṇa's presence ; āruhya climbing ; tat-phaṇi-śatam on the hundred hoods ; maṇi-vṛnda-manoharam beautiful with many jewels ; nanarta danced ; naṭavat like a dancer ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; naṭa-veṣaḥ appearing like a dancer ; manoharaḥ handsome ; gāyan singing ; sapta-svarai with the seven notes ; rāgam melody ; saṅgitam sung ; ca and ; sa-tālakam with rhythm ; puṣpaiḥ with flowers ; deveṣu as the demigods ; varṣatsu showered ; tāṇḍave in the agressive dancing ; naṭa-rāja-vat like the king of dancers (Lord Śiva) ; vādayan sounding ; sa He ; mudā happily ; anakadundubhi drums ; veṇukān *and flutes.

Translation

When the snake's heads were down, handsome Kṛṣṇa climbed on its hundred jewel-decorated hoods. Singing melodies in the seven-note scale and playing the flute, drum, and vīṇā, as the demigods showered flowers, Kṛṣṇa furiously danced, as does Lord Śiva, the king of dancers.
Text 16

Verse text

sa-tālaṁ pada-vinyāsais tat-phaṇān sojjvalān bahūn babhaṣja śvasataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kāliyasya mahātmanaḥ

Synonyms

sa-tālam with rhythm ; pada-vinyāsaiḥ with steps ; tat-phaṇān the hoods ; sojjvalān splendid ; bahūn many ; babhaṣja broke ; śvasataḥ hissing ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; kāliyasya of Kaliya ; mahātmanaḥ *the great soul.

Translation

With rhythmic dance-steps, Kṛṣṇa broke the many splendid hoods of the great saint that was the hissing snake Kāliya.
Text 17

Verse text

tadaiva nāga-patnyas tā āgata bhaya-vihvalāḥ natvā kṛṣṇa-padaṁ devaṁ ūcur gadgadayā girā

Synonyms

tadā then ; eva indeed ; nāga of the snake ; patnyaḥ the wives ; they ; āgata came ; bhaya-vihvalāḥ overcome with fear ; natvā bowing down ; kṛṣṇa of Kṛṣṇa ; padam to the feet ; devam to the Lord ; ūcuḥ said ; gadgadayā with choked up ; girā *words.

Translation

Terrified, the snake's wives came. Bowing to Kṛṣṇa's feet, with words choked with emotion, they spoke to the Lord.
Text 18

Verse text

śrī-nāga-patnya ūcuḥ namaḥ śrī-kṛṣṇacandrāya goloka-pataye namaḥ asaṅkhyāṇḍādhipataye paripūrṇatamāya te

Synonyms

śrī-nāga-patnyaḥ ūcuḥ the snake's wives said ; namaḥ obeisances ; śrī-kṛṣṇacandrāya to Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra ; goloka-pataye the master of Goloka ; namaḥ obeisances ; asaṅkhya countless ; aṇḍa of universes ; adhipataye to the ruler ; paripūrṇatamāya the original Supreme Personality of Godhead ; te *to You.

Translation

The snake's wives said: Obeisances to You, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, the master of Goloka! Obeisances to You, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of numberless universes!
Text 19

Verse text

śrī-rādhā-pataye tubhyaṁ vrajādhīśāya te namaḥ namaḥ śrī-nanda-putrāya yaśodā-nandanāya te

Synonyms

śrī-rādhā-pataye the master of Rādhā ; tubhyam to You ; vrajādhīśāya the master of Vraja ; te to You ; namaḥ obeisances ; namaḥ obeisances ; śrī-nanda-putrāya to the son of Nanda ; yaśodā-nandanāya to the joy of Yaśodā ; te *to You.

Translation

Obeisances to You, the master of Rādhā, the master of Vraja! Obeisances to You, the son of Nanda, the joy of Yaśodā!
Text 20

Verse text

pāhi pāhi para-deva pannagaṁ tvat-paraṁ na śaraṇaṁ jagat-traye tvaṁ parāt parataro hariḥ svayaṁ līlayā kila tanoṣi vigraham

Synonyms

pāhi save ; pāhi save ; para-deva O Supreme Lord ; pannagaṁ this snake ; tvat-param devoted to You ; na not ; śaraṇam shelter ; jagat worlds ; traye in the three ; tvam You ; parāt than the greatest ; parataraḥ greater ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; svayam personally ; līlayā with pastimes ; kila indeed ; tanoṣi manifest ; vigraham *this form.

Translation

Save, Save this snake, O Supreme Lord! In the three worlds there is no shelter but You! You are Lord Hari, who is greater than the greatest. As You enjoy Your pastimes You appear in many forms.
Text 21

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca nāga-patni-stutaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kāliyaṁ vigata-smayam visasarja hariḥ sākṣāt paripūrṇatamaḥ svayam

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; nāga of the snake ; patni by the wives ; stutaḥ offered prayers ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; kāliyam Kaliya ; vigata gone ; smayam pride ; visasarja made ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; sākṣāt directly ; paripūrṇatamaḥ the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; svayam *Himself.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: When the snake's wives offered these prayers, Kṛṣṇa, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, made Kāliya completely prideless.
Text 22

Verse text

pāhīti pravadantaṁ taṁ kāliyaṁ bhagavān hariḥ praṇataṁ sammukhe prāptaṁ prāha devo janārdanaḥ

Synonyms

pāhi save ; iti thus ; pravadantam saying ; tam to him ; kāliyam Kaliya ; bhagavān Lord ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; praṇatam bowed down ; sammukhe in the presence ; prāptam attained ; prāha said ; devaḥ the Lord ; janārdanaḥ *the savior from miseries.

Translation

When Kāliya bowed down and said, "Please save me!" Lord Kṛṣṇa, the savior from miseries, spoke to him.
Text 23

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca dvīpaṁ ramaṇakaṁ gaccha sa-kalatra-suhṛd-vṛtaḥ suparṇo 'dyatanāt tvaṁ vai nādyān mat-pāda-laṣchitam

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; gaccha go ; sa-kalatra with wives ; suhṛt friends ; vṛtaḥ with ; suparṇaḥ garuḍa ; adyatanāt from today ; tvam you ; vai indeed ; na not ; adyāt will eat ; mat-pāda-laṣchitam *My footprint.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: With Your wives and relatives go the Ramaṇaka-dvīpa. From today on Garuḍa will not eat you, because you are marked with My footprints.
Text 24

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca sarpaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ tu sampūjya parikramya praṇamya tam kalatra-putra-sahito dvīpaṁ ramaṇakaṁ yayau

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; sarpaḥ the snake ; kṛṣṇam to Kṛṣṇa ; tu indeed ; sampūjya worshiping ; parikramya circumambulating ; praṇamya bowing down ; tam to Him ; kalatra-putra-sahitaḥ with his wives and children ; dvīpaṁ ramaṇakam to Ramanaka-dvipa ; yayau *went.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: After worshiping, circumambulating, and bowing down before Lord Kṛṣṇa, the snake, with its wives and children, went to Ramaṇaka-dvīpa.
Text 25

Verse text

atha śrutvā kāliyena saṅgrastaṁ nanda-nandanam tatrājagmur gopa-gaṇā nandādyaḥ sakalā janāḥ

Synonyms

atha then ; śrutvā after hearing ; kāliyena by Kāliya ; saṅgrastam grabbed ; nanda-nandanam Kṛṣṇa ; tatra there ; ājagmuḥ came ; gopa-gaṇāḥ the gopas ; nandādyaḥ headed by Nanda ; sakalā all ; janāḥ *the people.

Translation

Hearing that Kṛṣṇa was captured by Kāliya, Nanda Mahārāja and all the cowherd people came there.
Text 26

Verse text

jalād vinirgataṁ kṛṣṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā mumudire janāḥ āśliṣya sva-sutaṁ nandaḥ parāṁ mudam avāpa ha

Synonyms

jalāt from the water ; vinirgatam emerged ; kṛṣṇam Kṛṣṇa ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; mumudire rejoiced ; janāḥ the people ; āśliṣya embracing ; sva-sutam his son ; nandaḥ Nanda ; parām supreme ; mudam happiness ; avāpa attained ; ha *certainly.

Translation

Seeing Kṛṣṇa emerge from the water, the people rejoiced. As he embraced his son, Nanda attained the highest bliss.
Text 27

Verse text

sutaṁ labdhva yaśodā sā suta-kalyāṇa-hetave dadau dānaṁ dvijātibhyaḥ sneha-snuta-payodharā

Synonyms

sutam son ; labdhva attaining ; yaśodā Yaśodā ; she ; suta-kalyāṇa-hetave for the auspiciousness of her son ; dadau gave ; dānam charity ; dvijātibhyaḥ to the brāhmaṇas ; sneha-snuta-payodharā *milk flowing from her breasts.

Translation

When Yaśodā attained her son, milk flowed from her breasts. For her son's welfare she gave charity to the brāhmaṇas.
Text 28

Verse text

tatraiva śayanaṁ cakrur gopāḥ sarve pariśramāt kālindī-nikaṭe rājan gopī-gopa-gaṇaiḥ saha

Synonyms

tatra there ; eva indeed ; śayanam rest ; cakruḥ did ; gopāḥ the cowherd peoiple ; sarve all ; pariśramāt from exhaustion ; kālindī the Yamunā ; nikaṭe near ; rājan O king ; gopī-gopa-gaṇaiḥ the gopas and gopīs ; saha *with.

Translation

Then the exhausted gopas and gopīs napped by the Yamunā's shore.
Text 29

Verse text

veṇu-saṅgharṣanodbhūto dāvāgniḥ pralayāgni-vat niśīthe sarvato gopān dagdhum āgatavān sphuran

Synonyms

veṇu of the bamboos ; saṅgharṣaṇa by the fricton ; udbhūtaḥ born ; dāvāgniḥ a forest fire ; pralayāgni-vat like the fire at the time of cosmic devastation ; niśīthe in the middle of the night ; sarvataḥ everywhere ; gopān the gopas ; dagdhum to burn ; āgatavān came ; sphuran *manifesting.

Translation

Born from the natural friction of the bamboos, a forest fire like the great fire at the end of creation came in the middle of the night to consume the gopas.
Text 30

Verse text

gopā vayasyāḥ śrī-kṛṣṇaṁ sa-balaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ natvā kṛtāṣjaliṁ kṛtvā tam ūcur bhaya-kātarāḥ

Synonyms

gopāḥ the gopas ; vayasyāḥ friends of the same age ; śrī-kṛṣṇam to Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; sa-balam with Balarāma ; śaraṇam to the shelter ; gatāḥ went ; natvā bowing down ; kṛtāṣjaliṁ kṛtvā with folded hands ; tam to Him ; ūcuḥ said ; bhaya-kātarāḥ *overcome with fear.

Translation

Overcome with fear, the gopas took shelter of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Bowing down and folding their hands, they spoke to Him.
Text 31

Verse text

śrī-gopā ūcuḥ kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-bāho śaraṇāgata-vatsala pāhi pāhi vane kaṣṭād dāvāgneḥ sva-janān prabho

Synonyms

śrī-gopāḥ ūcuḥ the gopas said ; kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa ; mahā-bāhaḥ O mighty-armed śaraṇāgata—to they who take shelter ; vatsala affectionate ; pāhi save ; pāhi save ; vane in the forest ; kaṣṭāt from calamity ; dāvāgneḥ forest fire ; sva-janān your own people ; prabhaḥ *O Lord.

Translation

The gopas said: Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! O mighty-armed one! O Lord affectionate to the surrendered souls who take shelter of You! Save us! Save us, Your own people, from this terrible forest-fire!
Text 32

Verse text

sva-locanāni mābhaiṣṭa nyamīlayata mādhavaḥ ity uktvā vahnim apibad devo yogeśvareśvaraḥ

Synonyms

sva-locanāni your eyes ; don't ; abhaiṣṭa be afraid ; nyamīlayata close ; mādhavaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; ity thus ; uktvā saying ; vahnim the fire ; apibat drank ; devaḥ the Lord ; yogeśvareśvaraḥ *the king of the kings of yoga.

Translation

Saying, "Don't be afraid! Just close your eyes", Lord Kṛṣṇa, the king of the kings of yoga, drank up the forest fire.
Text 33

Verse text

prātar gopa-gaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ vismitair nanda-nandanaḥ go-gaṇaiḥ sahitaḥ śrīmad- vraja-maṇḍalam āyayau

Synonyms

prātaḥ early in the morning ; gopa-gaṇaiḥ the gopas ; sārdham with ; vismitaiḥ astonished ; nanda-nandanaḥ Nanda's son ; go-gaṇaiḥ the cows ; sahitaḥ with ; śrīmat beautiful ; vraja-maṇḍalam to the circle of Vraja ; āyayau *came.

Translation

Then, early in the morning, with the cows and the astonished gopas, Kṛṣṇa went to the pastures of Vraja. .pa Chapter Thirteen Śeṣopākhyāna-varṇana The Story of Śeṣa
Text 1

Verse text

śrī-vaideha uvāca yad-rajo durlabhaṁ loke yogināṁ bahu-janmabhiḥ tat-pādābjaṁ hareḥ sākṣād babhau kāliya-mūrdhasu

Synonyms

śrī-vaidehaḥ uvāca Śrī Bahulāśva said ; yat of whom ; rajaḥ the dust ; durlabham difficult to attain ; loke in this world ; yoginām by the yogis ; bahu —with many ; janmabhiḥ births ; tat of Him ; pāda feet ; abjam lotus ; hareḥ of Kṛṣṇa ; sākṣāt directly ; babhau was manifested ; kāliya-mūrdhasu *on the heads of Kaliya.

Translation

Śrī Bahulāśva said: After many births even the great yogīs in this world cannot attain the dust of the Lord's feet. Still, Lord Kṛṣṇa placed His lotus feet directly on Kāliya's heads.
Text 2

Verse text

ko 'yaṁ pūrvaṁ kuśala-kṛt kāliyo phaṇināṁ varaḥ enaṁ veditum icchāmi brūhi devarṣi-sattama

Synonyms

kaḥ who? ; ayam he ; pūrvam previously ; kuśala-kṛt having done a pious deed ; kāliyaḥ kaliya ; phaṇinām of snakes ; varaḥ the best ; enam this ; veditum to know ; icchāmi I wish ; brūhi please tell ; devarṣi-sattama *O best of the divine sages.

Translation

What pious deeds did Kāliya, the best of snakes, do in his previous birth? This I wish to know. Please tell me this, O best of divine sages.
Text 3

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca svāyambhuvāntare pūrvaṁ nāmnā vedaśirā muniḥ vindhyācale tapo 'karṣīd bhṛgu-vaṁśa-samudbhavaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; svāyambhuvāntare in the Svayambhuva-manvantara ; pūrvam before ; nāmnā by name ; vedaśirā muniḥ Vedasira Muni ; vindhyācale in the Vindhya Hills ; tapaḥ austerities ; akarṣīt performed ; bhṛgu-vaṁśa-samudbhavaḥ *born in the Bhṛgu dynasty.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: In ancient times, during the Svāyambhuva-manvantara, a sage named Vedaśirā Muni, who was a descendent of Bhṛgu Muni, performed austerities in the Vindhya Hills.
Text 4

Verse text

tad-āśrame tapaḥ kartuṁ prāpto hy aśvāśirā muniḥ taṁ vīkṣya rakta-nayanaḥ prāha vedaśirā ruṣā

Synonyms

tad-āśrame at his āśrama ; tapaḥ uasterities ; kartum to do ; prāptaḥ attained ; hy indeed ; aśvāśirā muniḥ Asvasira Muni ; tam to him ; vīkṣya seeing ; rakta-nayanaḥ red eyes ; prāha said ; vedaśirā Vedasira ; ruṣā *angrily.

Translation

Then, one day a sage named Aśvaśirā Muni came to perform austerities at this sage's āśrama. With red eyes staring at his guest, Vedaśirā Muni angrily spoke.
Text 5

Verse text

śrī-vedaśirā uvāca mamāśrame tapo vipra mā kuryāḥ sukhadaṁ na hi anyatra te tapo-yogyā bhūmir nāsti tapo-dhana

Synonyms

śrī-vedaśirā uvāca Vedasira said ; mama my ; āśrame in the asrama ; tapaḥ austerities ; vipra O brāhmaṇa ; don't ; kuryāḥ do ; sukhadam giving happiness ; na not ; hi indeed ; anyatra in another place ; te of you ; tapo-yogyā sutiable for yoga ; bhūmiḥ place ; na not ; asti is ; tapo-dhana *O sage whose wealth is austerity.

Translation

Śrī Vedaśirā said: O brāhmaṇa, don't perform austerities in my āśrama. O sage whose wealth is austerity, is there no other place where you can happily perform austerities?
Text 6

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca śrutvātha vedaśiraso vākyaṁ hy āśvaśirā muniḥ krodha-yukto rakta-netraḥ prāha taṁ muni-puṅgavam

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; śrutvā hearing ; atha then ; vedaśirasaḥ of Vedasira ; vākyam the words ; hy indeed ; āśvaśirā Asvasira ; muniḥ Muni ; krodha-yuktaḥ angry ; rakta-netraḥ his eyes red ; prāha said ; tam to him ; muni of sages ; puṅgavam *the best.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: When he heard Vedaśirā's words, Aśvaśirā Muni became angry. With red eyes he spoke to the best of sages.
Text 7

Verse text

śrī-aśvaśirā uvāca mahā-viṣṇor iyaṁ bhūmir na te me muni-sattama katibhir munibhiś cātra na kṛtaṁ tapa uttamam

Synonyms

śrī-aśvaśirā uvāca Aśvaśirā said ; mahā-viṣṇoḥ of Lord mahā-Viṣṇu ; iyam this ; bhūmiḥ place ; na not ; te of you ; me of me ; muni-sattama O best of sages ; katibhiḥ by how many? ; munibhiś sages ; ca and ; atra here ; na not ; kṛtam done ; tapa austerities ; uttamam *great.

Translation

Śrī Aśvaśirā said: O best of sages, this place belongs to Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu. It does not belong to you or me. Have not many sages already performed great austerities here?
Text 8

Verse text

śvasan sarpa iva tvaṁ bho vṛthā krodhaṁ karoṣi hi tadā sarpo bhava tvaṁ hi bhūyāt te garuḍād bhayam

Synonyms

śvasan hissing ; sarpa a snake ; iva like ; tvam you ; bhaḥ O ; vṛthā uselessly ; krodham angry ; karoṣi are ; hi indeed ; tadā then ; sarpaḥ a snake ; bhava become ; tvam you ; hi indeed ; bhūyāt may be ; te of you ; garuḍāt from garuḍa ; bhayam *fear.

Translation

You are angry for no reason. You hiss as if you were a snake. Become a snake! You will be terrified of Garuḍa.
Text 9

Verse text

śrī-vedaśirā uvāca tvaṁ mahā-durabhiprāyo laghu-drohe mahodyamaḥ kāryārthī kāka iva kau tvaṁ kāko bhava durmate

Synonyms

śrī-vedaśirā uvāca Śrī Vedasira said ; tvam you ; mahā-durabhiprāyaḥ don't understand anything ; laghu for a slight ; drohe offense ; udyamaḥ endeavor ; kāryārthī wishing to do ; kāka a crow ; iva like ; kau on the earth ; tvam you ; kākaḥ a crow ; bhava become ; durmate *O fool.

Translation

Śrī Vedaśirā said: Fool, for a slight offense you plot a great revenge! On this earth you are like a crow. Fool, become a crow!
Text 10

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca āvirāsīt tato viṣṇur itthaṁ ca śapatos tayoḥ sva-sva-śāpād duḥkhitayoḥ sāntvayām āsa tau girā

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; āvirāsīt appeared ; tataḥ then ; viṣṇuḥ Lord Viṣṇu ; ittham thus ; ca and ; śapatoḥ of the two cursing sages ; tayoḥ of them ; sva-sva-śāpāt each from his own curse ; duḥkhitayoḥ unhappy ; sāntvayām āsa comforted ; tau them both ; girā *with words.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Then Lord Viṣṇu appeared and consoled the two sages, who were now unhappy with their curses.
Texts 11-14

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca yuvāṁ tu me samau bhaktau bhujāv iva tanau munī sva-vākyaṁ tu mṛṣā kartuṁ samartho 'haṁ munīśvarau bhakta-vākyaṁ mṛṣa kartuṁ necchāmi śapatho mama te mūrdhni he vedaśiras caraṇau me bhaviṣyataḥ tadā te garuḍa-bhītir na bhaviṣyati karhicit śṛṇu me 'śvaśiro vākyaṁ śocaṁ mā kuru mā kuru kāka-rūpo 'pi su-jṣānaṁ te bhaviṣyati niścitam paraṁ trailokikaṁ jṣānaṁ samyutaṁ yoga-siddhibhiḥ

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; yuvām you both ; tu indeed ; me to Me ; samau equal ; bhaktau devotees ; bhujau arms ; iva like ; tanau on the body ; muni sages ; sva-vākyam own words ; tu indeed ; mṛṣā false ; kartum to make ; samarthaḥ able ; aham I ; munīśvarau O kings of sages ; bhakta of a devotee ; vākyam the words ; mṛṣa false ; kartum to do ; na not ; icchāmi I wish ; śapathaḥ as a vow ; mama of Me ; te of you ; mūrdhni on the head ; he O ; vedaśiraḥ Vedasira ; caraṇau the feet ; me of me ; bhaviṣyataḥ will be ; tadā then ; te of you ; garuḍa-bhītiḥ fear of Garuḍa ; na not ; bhaviṣyati will be ; karhicit ever ; śṛṇu hear ; me Me ; aśvaśiraḥ O Asvasira ; vākyam the words ; śocam lament ; don't ; kuru do ; don't ; kuru do ; kāka-rūpaḥ the form of a crow ; api although ; su-jṣānam transcendental} knowledge ; te of you ; bhaviṣyati will be ; niścitam indeed ; param great ; trailokikam in the three worlds ; jṣānam knowledge ; samyutam with ; yoga-siddhibhiḥ *the mystic perfections.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: You are both equally devoted to Me. O sages, you are like the two arms of My body. O kings of the sages, I can make My own words false, but I do not wish to allow the words of my devotees to become false. That is My vow. O Vedaśirā, I will place My footprints on your head. Because of them you will never fear Garuḍa. O Aśvaśirā, hear My words. Please don't lament. You will have the form of a crow, but you will have transcendental knowledge. You will have yoga-siddhis and the highest knowledge in the three worlds.
Text 15

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca ity uktvātha gate viṣṇau munir aśvaśirā nṛpa sākṣāt kāka-bhuṣuṇḍo 'bhūd yogīndro nīla-parvate

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said: ; ity thus ; uktvā saying ; atha then ; gate gon3 ; viṣṇau Lord Viṣṇu ; munir aśvaśirā Asvasira Muni ; nṛpa O king ; sākṣāt directly ; kāka-bhuṣuṇḍaḥ the crow Bhuṣuṇḍa ; abhūt became ; yogīndraḥ the king of sages ; nīla-parvate *on Mount Nīla.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: After speaking these words, Lord Viṣṇu departed. O king, then the sage Aśvaśirā became the crow Bhuṣuṇḍa on Mount Nīla.
Text 16

Verse text

rāma-bhakto mahā-tejāḥ sarva-śāstrārtha-dīpakaḥ rāmāyaṇaṁ jagau yo vai garuḍāya mahātmane

Synonyms

rāma of Lord Rāmacandra ; bhaktaḥ a devotee ; mahā-tejāḥ very powerful ; sarva of all ; śāstra scriptures ; artha the meaning ; dīpakaḥ a lamp ; rāmāyaṇam the Rāmāyaṇa ; jagau recited ; yaḥ who ; vai indeed ; garuḍāya to mgaruḍa ; mahātmane *the great soul.

Translation

He was devoted to Lord Rāmacandra. He was very powerful. He was a lamp shining on the meanings of all the scriptures. To Garuḍa he recited the Rāmāyaṇa.
Text 17

Verse text

cākṣuṣe hy antare prāpte dakṣaḥ pracetaso nṛpa kaśyapāya dadau kanyā ekādaśa manoharāḥ

Synonyms

cākṣuṣe the Caksusa-manvantara ; hy indeed ; antare in ; prāpte attained ; dakṣaḥ Dakṣa ; pracetasaḥ to the prajapati ; nṛpa O king ; kaśyapāya to Kaśyapa ; dadau gave ; kanyā daughters ; ekādaśa eleven ; manoharāḥ *beautiful.

Translation

O king, during the Cākṣuṣa-manvantara Prajāpati Dakṣa gave his eleven beautiful daughters in marriage to Kaśyapa Muni.
Text 18

Verse text

tāsāṁ kadrūś ca yā śreṣṭhā sādyaiva rohiṇī smṛtā vasudeva-priyā yasyāṁ baladevo 'bhavat sutaḥ

Synonyms

tāsām of them ; kadrūḥ Kadrū ; ca and ; who ; śreṣṭhā the best ; she ; adya now ; eva even ; rohiṇī as Rohiṇī ; smṛtā is known ; vasudeva-priyā dear to King Vasudeva ; yasyām in whom ; baladevaḥ Balarāma ; abhavat became ; sutaḥ *the son.

Translation

Kadrū was the best of them. Today Kadrū is Rohiṇī. She is dear to Mahārāja Vasudeva. Lord Balarāma was born as her son.
Texts 19 and 20

Verse text

sā kadrūś ca mahā-sarpān janayām āsa koṭiśaḥ mahodbhaṭān viṣa-balān ugrān paṣca-śatānanān mahā-maṇi-dharān kāṁścid duḥsahāṁś ca śatānanān teṣāṁ vedaśirā nāma kāliyo 'bhud mahā-phaṇī

Synonyms

kadrūś Kadru ; ca and ; mahā-sarpān great snakes ; janayām āsa gave birth ; koṭiśaḥ millions ; mahodbhaṭān very powerful ; viṣa poison ; balān strong ; ugrān horrible ; paṣca-śat five hundred ; ānanān heads ; mahā great ; maṇi jewels ; dharān having ; kāṁścit some ; duḥsahāṁś invincible ; ca and ; śatānanān a hundred heads ; teṣām of them ; vedaśirā Vedasira ; nāma named ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; abhut became ; mahā great ; phaṇī *snake.

Translation

Kadrū gave birth to many millions of great, powerful, invincible jewel-decorated, and very poisonous snakes, some having five-hundred heads, and others having a hundred heads. Among them Vedaśirā became the great snake Kāliya.
Text 21

Verse text

teṣām ādau phaṇīndro 'bhūc cheṣo 'nantaḥ parāt paraḥ so 'dyaiva baladevo 'sti rāmo 'nanto 'cyutāgrajaḥ

Synonyms

teṣām of them ; ādau the first ; phaṇīndraḥ the king of snakes ; abhūt became ; śeṣaḥ anantaḥ Ananta Śeṣa ; parāt than the greatest ; paraḥ greater ; saḥ He ; adya now ; eva indeed ; baladevaḥ Balarāma ; asti is ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; anantaḥ limitless ; acyuta of the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead ; agrajaḥ *the elder brother.

Translation

Ananta Śeṣa, the king of snakes, who is greater than the greatest, was the first of them. Today Ananta is Balarāma, the elder brother of the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Text 22

Verse text

ekadā śrī-hariḥ sākṣād bhagavān prakṛteḥ paraḥ śeṣaṁ prāha prasannātmā megha-gambhīrayā girā

Synonyms

ekadā one day ; śrī-hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; sākṣāt directly ; bhagavān the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; prakṛteḥ matter ; paraḥ beyond ; śeṣam to śeṣa ; prāha said ; prasanna pleased ; ātmā at heart ; megha cloud ; gambhīrayā deep ; girā *with words.

Translation

One day Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond the worlkd of matter and is always happy at heart, with words like the rumbling of clouds, spoke to Ananta Śeṣa.
Text 23

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca bhū-maṇḍalaṁ samādhātuṁ sāmarthyaṁ kasyacin na hi tasmād enaṁ mahī-golaṁ mūrdhni tvaṁ hi samuddhara

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; bhū-maṇḍalam the earth ; samādhātum to hold up ; sāmarthyam ability ; kasyacit of someone ; na not ; hi indeed ; tasmāt from that ; enam this ; mahī-golam the earth ; mūrdhni on the head ; tvam You ; hi indeed ; samuddhara *please hold.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: No one else has the power to hold up the planets of Bhū-maṇḍala. You please carry these planets on Your head.
Text 24

Verse text

ananta-vikramas tvaṁ vai yato 'nanta iti smṛtaḥ idaṁ kāryaṁ prakartavyaṁ jana-kalyāṇa-hetave

Synonyms

ananta limitless ; vikramaḥ power ; tvam You ; vai indeed ; yataḥ therefore ; ananta limitless ; iti thus ; smṛtaḥ known ; idam this ; kāryam duty ; prakartavyam should be done ; jana of the people ; kalyāṇa-hetave *for the welfare.

Translation

Your power is endless, and therefore You are known as Ananta (the endless). Please accept this duty for the welfare of the people.
Text 25

Verse text

śrī-śeṣa uvāca avadhiṁ kuru yāvat tvaṁ dharoddharasya me prabho bhū-bhāraṁ dhārayiṣyāmi tāvat te vacanād iha

Synonyms

śrī-śeṣaḥ uvāca Śrī Śeṣa said ; avadhim limit ; kuru please do ; yāvat as ; tvam You ; dharā-uddharasya of holding up the planets ; me of Me ; prabhaḥ O Lord ; bhū-bhāram the burden of thre worlds ; dhārayiṣyāmi I will hold ; tāvat so ; te of You ; vacanāt from the words ; iha *here.

Translation

Śrī Śeṣa said: O Lord, please put some limit on how long I must hold the world. Then, according Your word, I will hold up Bhū-maṇḍala.
Text 26

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca nityaṁ sahasra-vadanair uccāraṁ ca pṛthak pṛthak mad-guṇa-sphuratāṁ nāmnāṁ kuru sarpendra sarvataḥ

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; nityam always ; sahasra-vadanaiḥ with a thousand heads ; uccāram holding up ; ca and ; pṛthak pṛthak specific natures ; mad-guṇa-sphuratām the manifestation of My qualities ; nāmnām of names ; kuru do ; sarpendra O king of snakes ; sarvataḥ *in all respects.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O king of snakes, with Your thousand mouths always chant My names, names that reveal My transcendental qualities.
Text 27

Verse text

man-nāmāni ca divyāni yadā yānty avasānatām tadā bhū-bhāram uttārya phaṇis tvaṁ su-sukhī bhava

Synonyms

man-nāmāni My names ; ca and ; divyāni transcendental ; yadā when ; yanty go ; avasānatām to the end ; tadā then ; bhū-bhāram burden ; uttārya lifting ; phaṇiḥ snake ; tvam You ; su-sukhī very happy ; bhava *become.

Translation

When You come to the end of all My transcendental names You can put down the burden of Bhū-maṇḍala and relax.
Text 28

Verse text

śrī-śeṣa uvāca ādhāro 'yaṁ bhaviṣyāmi mad-ādhāraś ca ko bhavet nirādhāraḥ kathaṁ toye tiṣṭhāmi kathaya prabho

Synonyms

śrī-śeṣaḥ uvāca Śrī Śeṣa said ; ādhāraḥ holding up ; ayam that ; bhaviṣyāmi I will become ; mad-ādhāraḥ holding up Me ; ca and ; kaḥ who? ; bhavet will be ; nirādhāraḥ without someone to hold Me up ; katham how? ; toye in the water ; tiṣṭhāmi I will stand ; kathaya please tell ; prabhaḥ *O Lord.

Translation

Śrī Śeṣa said: I will hold up Bhū-maṇḍala. But who will hold Me up? Without support how can I stand in the water? O Lord, please tell Me.
Text 29

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca ahaṁ ca kamaṭho bhūtvā dhārayiṣyāmi te tanum mahā-bhāra-mayīṁ dīrghaṁ mā śocaṁ kuru mat-sakhe

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; aham I ; ca and ; kamaṭhaḥ a turtle ; bhūtvā having become ; dhārayiṣyāmi I will hold up ; te of You ; tanum the form ; mahā-bhāra-mayīm holding a great burden ; dīrgham long ; don't ; śocam lament ; kuru do ; mat My ; sakhe *friend.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: I will become a turtle and then I will hold You up. O My friend, don't be unhappy to hold such a great burden for such a long time.
Text 30

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca tadā śeṣaḥ samutthāya natvā śrī-garuḍa-dhvajam jagāma nṛpa pātālād adho vai lakṣa-yojanam

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; tadā then ; śeṣaḥ Śeṣa ; samutthāya rising ; natvā bowing ; śrī-garuḍa-dhvajam the flag of Garuḍa ; jagāma went ; nṛpa O king ; pātālāt from Patalaloka ; adhaḥ below ; vai indeed ; lakṣa-yojanam *eight hundred thousand miles.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: O king, then Lord Śeṣa rose, bowed down before Lord Kṛṣṇa who holds the flag of Garuḍa, and went eight hundred thousand miles below Pātālaloka
Text 31

Verse text

gṛhītvā sva-kareṇedaṁ gariṣṭhaṁ bhūmi-maṇḍalam dadhāra sva-paṇe śeṣo 'py ekasmiṁś caṇḍa-vikramaḥ

Synonyms

gṛhītvā holding ; sva-kareṇa with His own hand ; idam this ; gariṣṭham great ; bhūmi-maṇḍalam earth ; dadhāra held ; sva-paṇe in His hand ; śeṣaḥ Lord Śeṣa ; api also ; ekasmiṁś in one ; caṇḍa-vikramaḥ *very powerful.

Translation

Then very powerful Ananta Śeṣa picked up Bhū-maṇḍala and held it in one hand.
Text 32

Verse text

saṅkarṣane 'tha pātāle gate 'nante parāt pare anye phaṇīndras tam anu viviśur brahmaṇoditāḥ

Synonyms

saṅkarṣane when Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa ; atha then ; pātāle to palataloa ; gate went ; anante Lord Ananta ; parāt than the greatest ; pare greater ; anye other ; phaṇīndraḥ great snakes ; tam him ; anu viviśuḥ followed ; brahmaṇā of Brahmā ; uditāḥ *ordered.

Translation

When Saṅkarṣaṇa Ananta went to Pātālaloka, by Brahmā's order the other great snakes followed Him.
Text 33

Verse text

atale vitale kecit sutale ca mahātale talātale tathā kecit samprāptās te rasātale

Synonyms

atale Atale ; vitale Vitala ; kecit some ; sutale Sutala ; ca and ; mahātale Mahatala ; talātale Talatala ; tathā so ; kecit some ; samprāptāḥ attained ; te indeed ; rasātale *Rasatala.

Translation

Some went to Atalaloka and others to Sutalaloka, Mahātalaloka, Talātalaloka, and Rasātalaloka.
Text 34

Verse text

tebhyas tu brahmaṇā dattaṁ dvīpaṁ ramaṇakaṁ bhuvi kāliya-pramukhās tasmin avasan sukha-samvṛtāḥ

Synonyms

tebhyaḥ to them ; tu indeed ; brahmaṇā by Brahmā ; dattam given ; dvīpaṁ ramaṇakam REamaṇaka-dvīpa ; bhuvi in the world ; kāliya-pramukhāḥ headed by Kaliya ; tasmin in that place ; avasan lived ; sukha-samvṛtāḥ *happy.

Translation

Many snakes headed by Kāliya happily lived in Ramaṇaka-dvīpa, the home Brahmā gave to them.
Text 35

Verse text

iti te kathitaṁ rājan kāliyasya kathānakam bhuktidaṁ muktidaṁ sāraṁ kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotum icchasi

Synonyms

iti thus ; te to you ; kathitam spoken ; rājan O king ; kāliyasya of Kaliya ; kathānakam the story ; bhuktidam giving sense happiness ; muktidam giving liberation ; sāram the best ; kim what? ; bhūyaḥ more ; śrotum to hear ; icchasi *do you wish.

Translation

O king, thus I have told you Kāliya's story, which grants both happiness in this world and also liberation. What more do you wish to hear? Chapter Fourteeen Kāliyopākhyāna-varṇana Description of Kāliya's Story
Text 1

Verse text

śrī-rājovāca dvīpe ramaṇake brahman sarpānanyān vinā katham etan me brūhi sakalaṁ kāliyasyābhavad bhayam

Synonyms

śrī-rājā uvāca the king said ; dvīpe ramaṇake on Ramaṇaka-dvīpa ; brahman O brāhmaṇa ; sarpa snakes ; ananyān without other ; vinā without ; katham how ; etan this ; me to me ; brūhi tell ; sakalam all ; kāliyasya of Kaliya ; abhavat was ; bhayam *fear.

Translation

The king said: If only snakes lived on Ramaṇaka-dvīpa, why was Kāliya afraid. O brāhmaṇa, please tell me this.
Text 2

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca tatra nāgantako nityaṁ nāga-saṅghaṁ jaghāna ha gata-kṣobhaṁ caikadhā te tārkṣyaṁ prāhur bhayāturaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; tatra there ; nāgāntakaḥ Garuḍa, the killer of snakes ; nityam always ; nāga-saṅgham the snakes ; jaghāna killed ; ha Oh ; gata-kṣobham peaceful ; ca and ; ekadha one day ; te they ; tarkṣyam to Garuḍa ; prahuḥ said ; bhaya-āturaḥ *frightened.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Garuḍa would go there and kill many snakes. One day, when Garuḍa was in a peaceful mood, the frightened snakes spoke to him.
Text 3

Verse text

nāgā ūcuḥ he garutman namas tubhyaṁ tvaṁ sākṣād viṣṇu-vāhanaḥ asmān atsi yadā sarpān kathaṁ no jīvanaṁ bhavet

Synonyms

nāgāḥ ūcuḥ the snakes said ; he O ; garutman garuḍa ; namaḥ obeisances ; tubhyam to you ; tvam you ; sākṣāt directly ; viṣṇu of Lord Viṣṇu ; vāhanaḥ the carrier ; asmān to us ; atsi you eat ; yadā when ; sarpān snakes ; katham why? ; naḥ of us ; jīvanam life ; bhavet *will be.

Translation

O Garuḍa, obeisances to you! You are Lord Viṣṇu's personal carrier. If You eat all us snakes, how will we continue to live?
Text 4

Verse text

tasmād baliṁ gṛhāṇāśu māse māse gṛhāt pṛthak vanaspati-sudhānnānāṁ upacārair vidhānataḥ

Synonyms

tasmāt therefore ; balim an offering ; gṛhāṇa please accept ; āśu promtly ; māse month ; māse after month ; gṛhāt from the home ; pṛthak specific ; vanaspati-sudhānnānām of the nectar of trees ; upacāraiḥ with offerings ; vidhānataḥ *according to.

Translation

Please accept from us each month an offering from a different house, an offering sweet as the honey of trees.
Text 5

Verse text

śrī-garuḍa uvāca ekaḥ sarpas tu me deyo bhavadbhir vā gṛhāt pṛthak kathaṁ pacāmi tam ṛte baliṁ vīṭakavat param

Synonyms

śrī-garuḍaḥ uvāca Śrī Garuḍa said ; ekaḥ one ; sarpaḥ snake ; tu indeed ; me to me ; deyaḥ should be given ; bhavadbhiḥ by you ; or ; gṛhāt from the house ; pṛthak specific ; katham why? ; pacāmi I shall eat ; tam that ; ṛte without ; balim offering ; vīṭakavat like betelnuts ; param *great.

Translation

Śrī Garuḍa said: Give me one snake from a designated house. Why should I eat any snake but this offering sweet as betelnuts.
Text 6

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca tathāstu coktās te sarve garuḍāya mahātmane go-pīthāyātmano rājan nityaṁ divyaṁ baliṁ daduḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; tathā so ; astu may be ; ca and ; uktāḥ said ; te they ; sarve all ; garuḍāya to Garuḍa ; mahātmane the great soul ; go-pīthāya for protection ; ātmanaḥ own ; rājan O king ; nityam regularly ; divyam splendid ; balim offering ; daduḥ *gave.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: To Garuḍa, the great soul, they all said, "So be it." In this way for their own protection they regularly gave a splendid offering.
Text 7

Verse text

kāliyasya gṛhasyāpi samayo 'bhūd yadā nṛpa tadā tārkṣyaṁ baliṁ sarvaṁ bubhuje kāliyo balāt

Synonyms

kāliyasya of Kaliya ; gṛhasya of the home ; api also ; samayaḥ the time ; abhūt came ; yadā when ; nṛpa O king ; tadā then ; tārkṣyam to garuḍa ; balim offering ; sarvam all ; bubhuje ate ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; balāt *because of strength.

Translation

When the time came for an offering from Kāliya's house, Kāliya himself forcibly ate the offering intended for Garuḍa.
Text 8

Verse text

tadāgataḥ prakupito vegataḥ kāliyopari cakāra pāda-vīkṣepaṁ garuḍaś caṇḍa-vikramaḥ

Synonyms

tadā then ; āgataḥ came ; prakupitaḥ angry ; vegataḥ violently ; kāliyopari on kaliya ; cakāra did ; pāda-vīkṣepam kicking ; garuḍaḥ Garuḍa ; caṇḍa-vikramaḥ *powerful.

Translation

When powerful Garuḍa came he was very angry. He forcefully kicked Kāliya.
Text 9

Verse text

garuḍāṅghri-prahāreṇa kāliyo mūrchito 'bhavat punar utthāya jihvābhiḥ prāvalīḍhaṁ mukhaṁ śvasan

Synonyms

garuḍāṅghri-prahāreṇa by the kicks of Garuḍa ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; mūrchitaḥ fainted ; abhavat became ; punaḥ again ; utthāya rising ; jihvābhiḥ with tongues ; prāvalīḍham licking ; mukham mouth ; śvasan *hissing.

Translation

Garuḍa kicked Kāliya unconscious. Then Kāliya again stood up, licking his tongue and hissing.
Text 10

Verse text

prasārya svaṁ phaṇa-śataṁ kāliyaḥ phaṇināṁ varaḥ vyadaśad garuḍaṁ vegād dadbhir viṣamayair balī

Synonyms

prasārya expanding ; svam his ; phaṇa-śatam hundred hoods ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; phaṇinām of snakes ; varaḥ the best ; vyadaśat bit ; garuḍam Garuḍa ; vegāt strongly ; dadbhiḥ with many fangs ; viṣamayaiḥ poisonous ; balī *strong.

Translation

Then Kāliya, the best of snakes, expanded his hundred hoods and with many fangs savagely bit Garuḍa.
Text 11

Verse text

gṛhītvā taṁ ca tuṇḍena garuḍo divya-vāhanaḥ bhū-pṛṣṭhe pothayām āsa pakṣābhyāṁ tāḍayan muhuḥ

Synonyms

gṛhītvā taking ; tam him ; ca and ; tuṇḍena by teh beak ; garuḍaḥ Garuḍa ; divya-vāhanaḥ the transcendental carrier ; bhū-pṛṣṭhe to the earth ; pothayām āsa threw ; pakṣābhyām with both wongs ; tāḍayan beating ; muhuḥ *again and again.

Translation

With his beak the transcendental carrier Garuḍa grabbed Kāliya, threw him to the ground, and beat him with both wings again and again.
Text 12

Verse text

tuṇḍād vinirgataḥ sarpas tat-pakṣān vicakarṣa ha tat-pādau veṣṭayaṁs tudyan phutkāraṁ vyadadhan muhuḥ

Synonyms

tuṇḍāt from the beak ; vinirgataḥ escaped ; sarpaḥ the snake ; tat-pakṣān from the wiongs ; vicakarṣa dragged ; ha indeed ; tat-pādau —to his feet ; veṣṭayan surrounding ; tudyan striking ; phutkāram spitting ; vyadadhan doing ; muhuḥ *again and again.

Translation

Escaping from the beak, Kāliya attacked Garuḍa's wings. Coiling around Garuḍa's feet, he spat poison again and again.
Text 13

Verse text

kupito garuḍas taṁ vai nītvā tuṇḍena kāliyam nipātya bhūmyaṁ sahasā tat-tanuṁ vicakarṣa ha

Synonyms

kupitaḥ anghry ; garuḍaḥ garuḍa ; tam him ; vai indeed ; nītvā bringing ; tuṇḍena with the beak ; kāliyam Kaliya ; nipātya throwing ; bhūmyām to the ground ; sahasā violently ; tat-tanum his body ; vicakarṣa dragged ; ha *indeed.

Translation

Then Garuḍa became angry. Taking Kāliya in his beak, he threw him to the ground and savagely dragged him here and there.
Text 14

Verse text

tadā dudrāva tat-tuṇḍāt kāliyo bhaya-vihvalaḥ tam anvadhāvat sahasā pakṣi-rāṭ caṇḍa-vikramaḥ

Synonyms

tadā then ; dudrāva ran ; tat-tuṇḍāt from the beak ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; bhaya-vihvalaḥ terrified ; tam him ; anvadhāvat chased ; sahasā quickly ; pakṣi of birds ; rāṭ the king ; caṇḍa-vikramaḥ *very powerful.

Translation

Terrified Kāliya ran from Garuḍa's beak. Garuḍa, the king of birds, ardently chased him.
Text 15

Verse text

sapta-dvīpān sapta-khaṇḍān sapta-sindhūṁs tataḥ phaṇī yatra yatra gatas tarkṣyaṁ tatra tatra dadarśa ha

Synonyms

sapta-khaṇḍān the seven khandas ; sapta-sindhūṁḥ the seven oceans ; tataḥ then ; phaṇī the snake ; yatra yatra wherever ; gataḥ went ; tarkṣyam Garuḍa ; tatra tatra there ; dadarśa saw ; ha *indeed.

Translation

Wherever he went in the seven dvīpas, the seven khaṇḍas, and the seven oceans, the snake Kāliya saw Garuḍa.
Text 16

Verse text

bhūrlokaṁ ca bhuvarlokaṁ svarlokaṁ pragataḥ phaṇī maharlokaṁ tato dhāvan janalokaṁ jagāma ha

Synonyms

bhūrlokam Bhurloka ; ca aND ; bhuvarlokam Bhuvarloka ; svarlokam Svarloka ; prāgataḥ went ; phaṇī the snake ; maharlokam Maharloak ; tataḥ then ; dhāvan runinng ; janalokam Janaloka ; jagāma went ; ha *indeed.

Translation

The snake Kāliya fled to Bhūrloka, Bhuvarloka, Svarloka, Maharloka, and Janaloka.
Text 17

Verse text

yatraiva garuḍe prāpte 'dho 'dho lokaṁ punar gataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇasya bhayāt ke 'pi rakṣāṁ tasya na sandadhuḥ

Synonyms

yatra where ; eva indeed ; garuḍe Garuḍa ; prāpte attained ; adhaḥ lower ; adhaḥ and lower ; lokam worlds ; punaḥ again ; gataḥ gone ; śrī-kṛṣṇasya of Kṛṣṇa ; bhayāt from the fear ; ke api someone ; rakṣām protection ; tasya of him ; na not ; sandadhuḥ *gave.

Translation

Then he fled to the lower planets, going lower and lower. Wherever he went, Garuḍa was there. No one saved him from his fear of Lord Kṛṣṇa's devotee.
Text 18

Verse text

kutrāpi na sukhe jāte kāliyo 'pi bhayāturaḥ jagāma deva-devasya śeṣasya caraṇāntike

Synonyms

kutrāpi somewhere ; na not ; sukhe in happiness ; jāte born ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; api even ; bhayāturaḥ terrified ; jagāma went ; deva-devasya of the master of the demigods ; śeṣasya Śeṣa ; caraṇāntike *to the feet.

Translation

Kāliya could not find happiness. He was always afraid. Finally he approached the feet of Lord Ananta, the master of the demigods.
Text 19

Verse text

natvā praṇamya taṁ śeṣaṁ parikramya kṛtāṣjaliḥ dīno bhayāturaḥ prāha dīrgha-pṛṣṭhaḥ prakampitaḥ

Synonyms

natvā praṇamya bowing down ; tam to Him ; śeṣam Śeṣa ; parikramya circumambulating ; kṛtāṣaliḥ folded hands ; dīnaḥ humble ; bhayāturaḥ frightened ; prāha said ; dīrgha-pṛṣṭhaḥ the snake ; prakampitaḥ *trembling.

Translation

Bowing down before Lord Śeṣa and circumambulating Him with folded hands, the humbled, trembling, frightened snake spoke.
Text 20

Verse text

kāliya uvāca he bhūmi-bhartar bhuvaneśa bhūman bhū-bhāra-hṛt tvaṁ hy asi bhūri-līlaḥ māṁ pāhi pāhi prabhaviṣṇu-pūrṇaḥ parāt paras tvaṁ puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ

Synonyms

kāliyaḥ uvāca Śrī Kaliya said ; he O ; bhūmi-bhartaḥ maintainer of the world ; bhuvaneśa O master of the world ; bhūman O Lord ; bhū-bhāra-hṛt O holder of thr worlds ; tvam You ; hi indeed ; asi are ; bhūri-līlaḥ enjoying many pastimes ; mām me ; pāhi protect ; pāhi protect ; prabhaviṣṇu-pūrṇaḥ powerful ; parāt than the greatest ; paraḥ greater ; tvam You ; puruṣaḥ person ; purāṇaḥ *ancient.

Translation

Kāliya said: O Lord, O master of the worlds, O maintainer of the worlds, O holder of the worlds' burden, You enjoy many pastimes. You are all-powerful. You are the ancient Supreme Person, greater than the greatest. Please, please protect me!
Text 21

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca dīnaṁ bhayāturaṁ dṛṣṭvā kāliyaṁ śrī-phaṇīśvaraḥ vācā madhurayā prīṇan prāha devo janārdanaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; dīnam humble ; bhayāturam frigthened ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; kāliyam Kaliya ; śrī-phaṇīśvaraḥ the king of snakes ; vācā with words ; madhurayā sweet ; prīṇan pleasing ; prāha said ; devaḥ Lord ; janārdanaḥ *the savior from miseries.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Seeing Kāliya so frightened and humble, Lord Ananta, the king of snakes and the savior from miseries, spoke in a sweet voice pleasing to Kāliya.
Text 22

Verse text

śrī-śeṣa uvāca \ he kāliya mahā-buddhe śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ kutrāpi na hi te rakṣā bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-śeṣa uvāca Śrī Śeṣa said ; he O ; kāliya Kaliya ; mahā-buddhe very intelligent ; śṛṇu hear ; me my ; paramam supreme ; vacaḥ words ; kutrāpi somewhere ; na not ; hi indeed ; te of you ; rakṣa protection ; bhaviṣyati will be ; na no ; saṁśayaḥ *doubt.

Translation

Śrī Śeṣa said: Intelligent Kāliya, hear My divine words. There is no shelter for you anywhere. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 23

Verse text

āsīt purā muniḥ siddhaḥ śaubharir nāma nāmataḥ vṛndāraṇye tapas tapto varṣāṇām ayutaṁ jale

Synonyms

āsīt was ; purā before ; muniḥ a sage ; siddhaḥ perfect ; śaubhariḥ Śaubhari ; nāma named ; nāmataḥ named ; vṛndāraṇye in Vṛndāvana ; tapas taptaḥ performed austerities ; varṣāṇām years ; ayutam ten thousand ; jale *in the water.

Translation

In ancient times there was a perfect sage named Śaurabhi Muni who performed austerities for ten thousand years in the waters in Vṛndāvana.
Text 24

Verse text

mīna-rāja-vihāraṁ yo vīkṣya geha-spṛho 'bhavat sa uvāha mahā-buddhir māndhātus tanujā-śatam

Synonyms

mīna of the fish ; rāja of the king ; vihāram the pastimes ; yaḥ who ; vīkṣya seeing ; geha household life ; spṛhaḥ desiring ; abhavat became ; sa he ; uvāha married ; mahā-buddhiḥ very intelligent ; māndhātuḥ of mandhata Muni ; tanujā daughters ; śatam *hundred.

Translation

Watching the king of fish enjoy pastimes, Śaurabhi Muni desired to become a householder. He then married the hundred daughters of Mandhātā Muni.
Text 25

Verse text

tasmai dadau hariḥ sākṣāt parāṁ bhāgavatīṁ śriyaṁ vīkṣya tāṁ nṛpa māndhātā vismito 'bhūd gata-smayaḥ

Synonyms

tasmai to him ; dadau gave ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; sākṣāt directly ; parām great ; bhāgavatīm like the LOrd's ; śriyam opulence ; vīkṣya seeing ; tām it ; nṛpa O king ; māndhātā Mandhata ; vismitaḥ astonished ; abhūt became ; gata-smayaḥ *humbled.

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa gave Śaurabhi divine wealth and opulence. O king, when Mandhātā Muni saw that opulence, he became humbled and filled with wonder.
Text 26

Verse text

yamunāntar-jale dīrghaṁ śaubhares tapatas tapaḥ paśyatas tasya garuḍo mīna-rājaṁ jaghāna ha

Synonyms

yamunā of the Yamunā ; antaḥ within ; jale in the water ; dīrgham for a long time ; śaubhareḥ of Śaubhari ; tapataḥ performing ; tapaḥ austerities ; paśyataḥ seeing ; tasya of him ; garuḍaḥ Garuḍa ; mīna-rājam the king of fish ; jaghāna killed ; ha *indeed.

Translation

As, in the midst of his austerities, Śaurabhi Muni was watching, Garuḍa killed the king of the fish.
Text 27

Verse text

mīnān su-duḥkhitān dṛṣṭvā duḥkha-hā dīna-vatsalaḥ tasmai śāpaṁ dadau kruddhaḥ śaubharir muni-sattamaḥ

Synonyms

mīnān the fish ; su-duḥkhitān very unhappy ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; duḥkha-hā the destroyer of unhappiness ; dīna-vatsalaḥ kind to the unhappy ; tasmai to him ; śāpam a curse ; dadau gave ; kruddhaḥ angry ; śaubhariḥ Śaurabhi ; muni-sattamaḥ *the best of sages.

Translation

Seeing the fish stricken with grief, the great sage Śaurabhi Muni, who was kind to the suffering and eager to stop their troubles, became angry and cursed Garuḍa.
Text 28

Verse text

śrī-śaubharir uvāca mīnān adyatanād atra yady atsi tvaṁ balād dvi-rāṭ tadaiva prāṇa-nāśas te bhūyān me śapatas tvaram

Synonyms

śrī-śaubharir uvāca Śrī ŚaubhaRI SAID ; mīnān the fish ; adyatanāt from this day on ; atra here ; yadi if ; atsi eat ; tvam you balāt—violently ; dvi-rāṭ O king of birds ; tadā then ; eva indeed ; prāṇa of life ; nāśaḥ destruction ; te of you ; bhūyāt will be ; me of me ; śapataḥ by the curse ; tvaram *at once.

Translation

Śrī Śaubhari said: O Garuḍa, O king of birds, if from today on you eat the fish here you will die at once. That is my curse.
Text 29

Verse text

śrī-śeṣa uvāca tad-dināt tatra nāyāti garuḍaḥ śāpa-vihvalaḥ tasmāt kāliya gacchāśu vṛndāraṇye harer vane

Synonyms

śrī-śeṣaḥ uvāca Śrī Śeśa said ; tad-dināt from that day ; tatra there ; na not ; āyāti comes ; garuḍaḥ Garuḍa ; śāpa because of the curse ; vihvalaḥ agitated ; tasmāt therefore ; kāliya O Kaliya ; gaccha go ; āśu at once ; vṛndāraṇye to Vṛndāvana ; hareḥ of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vane *the forest.

Translation

Śrī Śeṣa said: Afraid of the curse, from that day on Garuḍa has not come there. O Kāliya, for that reason you should go at once to Lord Kṛṣṇa's forest of Vṛndāvana.
Text 30

Verse text

kālindyāṁ ca nijaṁ vāsaṁ kuru mad-vākya-noditaḥ nirbhayas te bhayaṁ tārkṣyān na bhaviṣyati karhicit

Synonyms

kālindyām in the Yamunā ; ca and ; nijam own ; vāsam home ; kuru do ; mad-vākya-noditaḥ on My instruction ; nirbhayaḥ fearless ; te of you ; bhayam fear ; tārkṣyān garuḍa ; na not ; bhaviṣyati will be ; karhicit *ever.

Translation

By My order make your home in the Yamunā. There you will be fearless. You will never fear Garuḍa.
Text 31

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca ity uktaḥ kāliyo bhītaḥ sa-kalatraḥ sa-putrakaḥ kālindyāṁ vāsa-kṛd rājan śrī-kṛṣṇena vivāsitaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; iti thus ; uktaḥ addressed ; kāliyaḥ Kaliya ; bhītaḥ frightened ; sa-kalatraḥ with his wives ; sa-putrakaḥ with his children ; kālindyām in the Yamuna ; vāsa-kṛt masking his home ; rājan O king ; śrī-kṛṣṇena by Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; vivāsitaḥ *sent away.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: When he was told this, Kāliya went with his wives and children to the Yamunā, where he lived until Śrī Kṛṣṇa sent him out. .pa