Shloka 23
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
इत्थं स्वगोकुलमनन्यगतिं निरीक्ष्य सस्त्रीकुमारमतिदु:खितमात्महेतो: । आज्ञाय मर्त्यपदवीमनुवर्तमान: स्थित्वा मुहूर्तमुदतिष्ठदुरङ्गबन्धात् ॥ २३ ॥
ittham sva-gokulam ananya-gatiṁ nirīkṣya sa-strī-kumāram ati-duḥkhitam ātma-hetoḥ ājñāya martya-padavīm anuvartamānaḥ sthitvā muhūrtam udatiṣṭhad uraṅga-bandhāt
こうして主は、ただ主のみを拠り所とする愛ゆえに、ゴークラの女たちや子どもたちが激しく嘆き悲しむのを見た。主はしばらく蛇の巻きつきの中に留まり、凡夫のように振る舞ったが、その苦悩を悟るや、ただちにカーリヤの束縛から起き上がった。
FAQs
This verse describes the Vraja people as ananya-gati—seeing Kṛṣṇa as their sole shelter—showing the Bhagavatam ideal of exclusive dependence on the Lord in times of crisis.
Śukadeva explains that Kṛṣṇa saw the unbearable grief of the Vraja residents and, understanding the limitations of mortal fear and sorrow, paused briefly and then rose from Kāliya’s bondage.
It teaches sensitivity to others’ distress: even when one is spiritually strong, one should acknowledge the fears of ordinary people and respond with timely reassurance and responsible action.