Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 8
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
तस्य ह्रदे विहरतो भुजदण्डघूर्ण- वार्घोषमङ्ग वरवारणविक्रमस्य । आश्रुत्य तत् स्वसदनाभिभवं निरीक्ष्य चक्षु:श्रवा: समसरत्तदमृष्यमाण: ॥ ८ ॥
tasya hrade viharato bhuja-daṇḍa-ghūrṇa- vār-ghoṣam aṅga vara-vāraṇa-vikramasya āśrutya tat sva-sadanābhibhavaṁ nirīkṣya cakṣuḥ-śravāḥ samasarat tad amṛṣyamāṇaḥ
Kṛṣṇa began sporting in Kāliya’s lake like a lordly elephant — swirling His mighty arms and making the water resound in various ways. When Kāliya heard these sounds, he understood that someone was trespassing in his lake. The serpent could not tolerate this and immediately came forward.
According to the ācāryas, Lord Kṛṣṇa was producing wonderful musical sounds within the water simply by splashing His hands and arms.
FAQs
This verse describes Kṛṣṇa sporting in the lake and creating a powerful roar by the whirl of His arms, which signaled that the serpent’s domain was being challenged.
Hearing the commotion and seeing his own residence being overrun, Kāliya could not tolerate the intrusion and therefore attacked.
When toxic influences dominate one’s “inner lake” (mind and habits), the devotee remembers Kṛṣṇa’s power to subdue them and seeks refuge in disciplined devotion rather than fear.