Shloka 22
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
कृष्णप्राणान्निर्विशतो नन्दादीन् वीक्ष्य तं ह्रदम् । प्रत्यषेधत् स भगवान् राम: कृष्णानुभाववित् ॥ २२ ॥
kṛṣṇa-prāṇān nirviśato nandādīn vīkṣya taṁ hradam pratyaṣedhat sa bhagavān rāmaḥ kṛṣṇānubhāva-vit
Ketika itu Śrī Balarāma melihat Nanda Mahārāja dan para gopa lain, yang menyerahkan nyawa mereka kepada Kṛṣṇa, mula memasuki tasik ular itu. Mengetahui kuasa sebenar Kṛṣṇa, Baginda menahan mereka.
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī explains that Lord Balarāma checked some of the cowherd men by speaking to them, others by physically holding them and still others by casting upon them His potent smiling glance. Distraught over the situation, they were prepared to give up their lives for Lord Kṛṣṇa by entering the serpent’s lake.
FAQs
This verse describes Nanda and the Vrajavasis as 'kṛṣṇa-prāṇa'—people whose very life depends on Krishna—so their love drives them to rush toward danger when they think Krishna is at risk.
Balarama knew Krishna’s supreme power and also understood the peril of the poisoned lake; therefore, he restrained the Vrajavasis so they would not be harmed while Krishna handled the situation.
It teaches both deep love for God and wise restraint: devotion should be guided by spiritual understanding, following those who know the Lord’s potency and acting without reckless endangerment.