Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 6
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
तं चण्डवेगविषवीर्यमवेक्ष्य तेन दुष्टां नदीं च खलसंयमनावतार: । कृष्ण: कदम्बमधिरुह्य ततोऽतितुङ्ग- मास्फोट्य गाढरशनो न्यपतद् विषोदे ॥ ६ ॥
taṁ caṇḍa-vega-viṣa-vīryam avekṣya tena duṣṭāṁ nadīṁ ca khala-saṁyamanāvatāraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kadambam adhiruhya tato ’ti-tuṅgam āsphoṭya gāḍha-raśano nyapatad viṣode
Seeing Kāliya’s fiercely potent poison and the river defiled by it—and having descended to subdue the envious wicked—Lord Kṛṣṇa at once climbed atop a very tall kadamba tree. Tightening His belt, slapping His arms, He leapt into the poisonous water.
According to the ācāryas, Lord Kṛṣṇa also tied back the locks of His hair as He prepared to do battle with Kāliya.
FAQs
This verse describes Krishna deliberately leaping into the poisoned waters after assessing the poison’s fierce potency, showing His resolve to purify the river and restrain evil.
From the tall kadamba tree Krishna prepared Himself—tightening His garment and challenging the danger—before entering the poisoned river to confront the source of contamination (Kāliya).
Face harmful influences decisively and with faith: assess the danger, prepare properly, and act with courage while relying on divine protection and dharmic purpose.