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
Voyant la puissance du poison de Kāliya, terrible et impétueuse, et la rivière ainsi souillée—car Kṛṣṇa était descendu pour maîtriser les êtres envieux et malfaisants—le Seigneur grimpa aussitôt au sommet d’un très haut kadamba. Il serra Sa ceinture, frappa Ses bras, puis se jeta dans l’eau empoisonnée.
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.