Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 28
Bhagavān’s Avatāras, Their Protections (Poṣaṇa), and the Limits of Knowing Him
यद् वै व्रजे व्रजपशून् विषतोयपीतान् पालांस्त्वजीवयदनुग्रहदृष्टिवृष्टया । तच्छुद्धयेऽतिविषवीर्यविलोलजिह्व- मुच्चाटयिष्यदुरगं विहरन् ह्रदिन्याम् ॥ २८ ॥
yad vai vraje vraja-paśūn viṣatoya-pītān pālāṁs tv ajīvayad anugraha-dṛṣṭi-vṛṣṭyā tac-chuddhaye ’ti-viṣa-vīrya-vilola-jihvam uccāṭayiṣyad uragaṁ viharan hradinyām
In Vraja, when the cowherd boys and their animals drank the poisoned waters of the Yamunā and fell lifeless, the Lord—even in childhood—revived them with a shower of merciful glances. Then, to purify the Yamunā, He leapt in as if at play and chastised the serpent Kāliya, whose wavering tongue poured forth waves of venom. Who but the Supreme Lord can perform such mighty deeds?
FAQs
This verse recalls that Kṛṣṇa restored the cowherd men and animals to life simply by His merciful glance after they drank poisoned water, showing His supreme protection over His devotees.
Śukadeva is enumerating the Lord’s divine incarnations and deeds; the Kāliya episode illustrates Kṛṣṇa’s compassion, His power over deadly evil, and His purpose of purifying the world for His devotees.
The verse encourages faith that sincere devotion draws divine protection and purification—reminding practitioners to seek refuge in Kṛṣṇa through remembrance, prayer, and steady bhakti during crises.