Shloka 31
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
कृष्णस्य गर्भजगतोऽतिभरावसन्नं पार्ष्णिप्रहारपरिरुग्नफणातपत्रम् । दृष्ट्वाहिमाद्यमुपसेदुरमुष्य पत्न्य आर्ता: श्लथद्वसनभूषणकेशबन्धा: ॥ ३१ ॥
kṛṣṇasya garbha-jagato ’ti-bharāvasannaṁ pārṣṇi-prahāra-parirugna-phaṇātapatram dṛṣṭvāhim ādyam upasedur amuṣya patnya ārtāḥ ślathad-vasana-bhūṣaṇa-keśa-bandhāḥ
Quand les épouses de Kāliya virent à quel point le serpent était fatigué par le poids excessif du Seigneur Kṛṣṇa, qui porte l'univers entier dans Son abdomen, et comment les capuchons en forme d'ombrelle de Kāliya avaient été brisés par les coups de talons de Kṛṣṇa, elles ressentirent une grande détresse. Avec leurs vêtements, ornements et cheveux en désordre, elles s'approchèrent alors de l'éternelle Personnalité de la Divinité.
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Kāliya’s wives had been disgusted with their husband because of his demoniac activities. They had been thinking, “If this atheist is killed by the punishment of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then let him be killed. We will become widows and engage in the worship of the Supreme Lord.” But then the ladies noticed Kāliya’s facial expression and other bodily features, and they understood that Kāliya had indeed taken shelter of the Lord within his mind. Seeing that he was manifesting symptoms of humility, remorse, regret and doubt, they thought, “Just see how fortunate we are! Our husband has now become a Vaiṣṇava. Therefore we must now endeavor to protect him.” They felt affection for their repentant husband and severe distress because of his miserable position, and thus all together they went into the presence of the Supreme Lord.
FAQs
This verse says that after seeing Kāliya crushed and his hoods broken by Kṛṣṇa’s heel-strikes, Kāliya’s wives—distressed and disheveled—approached the Lord, indicating surrender and seeking mercy.
Because they recognized Kṛṣṇa as the supreme controller and the only refuge; seeing their husband overwhelmed, they approached the Lord in surrender to beg for compassion and protection.
When overwhelmed by consequences or fear, take shelter of the Divine through prayer, humility, and corrective action—approaching God not with excuses, but with sincere surrender and readiness to change.