Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 48
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
परावरगतिज्ञाय सर्वाध्यक्षाय ते नम: । अविश्वाय च विश्वाय तद्द्रष्ट्रेऽस्य च हेतवे ॥ ४८ ॥
parāvara-gati-jñāya sarvādhyakṣāya te namaḥ aviśvāya ca viśvāya tad-draṣṭre ’sya ca hetave
Obeisances unto You, who know the destination of all things, superior and inferior, and who are the presiding regulator of all that be. You are distinct from the universal creation, and yet You are the basis upon which the illusion of material creation evolves, and also the witness of this illusion. Indeed, You are the root cause of the entire world.
The words para and avara indicate superior, subtle elements and inferior, gross ones. The words also indicate superior personalities — devotees of the Lord — and inferior personalities, who are unaware of the glories of God. Lord Kṛṣṇa knows the destiny of all superior and inferior entities, animate and inanimate, and as the Supreme Absolute Truth He remains in His unique position above everything, as indicated by the word sarvādhyakṣāya.
FAQs
This verse praises Kṛṣṇa as aviśvāya (beyond the manifest world) and viśvāya (present as the universe), affirming that He is simultaneously transcendent and immanent.
They approached Kṛṣṇa to seek mercy for Kāliya, acknowledging Him as the supreme controller, witness, and cause—thereby appealing to His compassion and divine authority to grant deliverance.
Remembering Kṛṣṇa as the inner witness encourages mindful, ethical choices and steadiness in devotion, since one acts with accountability to the Divine who sees and guides all.