Shloka 42
कालियदमना: यमुनाशुद्धिः, करुणा-निग्रहः, स्तुति-तत्त्वम्
दर्शितो मानुषो भावो दर्शितं बालचापलम् तद् अयं दम्यतां कृष्ण दुष्टात्मा दशनायुधः
darśito mānuṣo bhāvo darśitaṃ bālacāpalam tad ayaṃ damyatāṃ kṛṣṇa duṣṭātmā daśanāyudhaḥ
He has displayed the temper of a mere human; he has shown the restless wilfulness of a child. Therefore, O Kṛṣṇa, let this wicked-souled one—whose weapon is his fangs—be restrained and brought under control.
Likely the cowherds of Vraja (Gopas) addressing Krishna, as narrated by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: To protect Vraja and restore dharma by subduing the poisonous Nāga Kāliya who defiled the Yamunā.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Safety and purity of the Yamunā waters and protection of the cowherd community (go-rakṣā, loka-kṣema).
Concept: Even the seemingly human play of Bhagavān is sovereign līlā, and devotees may petition him to restrain adharma for the protection of the world.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Bring fears and perceived ‘poisons’ (harmful habits, toxic influences) to prayerful surrender, asking for inner restraint and purification.
Vishishtadvaita: Bhagavān responds to devotees within history, showing personal lordship while remaining the supreme controller.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
It marks the being as overtly predatory and asuric—violence is its very nature—thereby justifying Krishna’s role as the divine protector who restores order by restraining such threats.
The verse frames Krishna’s apparent human behavior as part of his līlā: he can appear fully childlike while still exercising supreme authority to subdue evil when the cosmic and communal balance is disturbed.
Krishna is shown as the sovereign preserver: even when he seems merely human, he remains the Supreme who curbs wickedness, protecting devotees and sustaining dharma.