Shloka 5
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
विप्रुष्मता विषदोर्मिमारुतेनाभिमर्शिता: । म्रियन्ते तीरगा यस्य प्राणिन: स्थिरजङ्गमा: ॥ ५ ॥
vipruṣmatā viṣadormi- mārutenābhimarśitāḥ mriyante tīra-gā yasya prāṇinaḥ sthira-jaṅgamāḥ
Angin yang bertiup di atas tasik maut itu membawa percikan air beracun ke tebing. Hanya dengan tersentuh hembusan beracun itu, semua makhluk di tebing—yang pegun mahupun bergerak—mati.
The word sthira, “unmoving creatures,” refers to various types of vegetation including trees, and jaṅgama refers to moving creatures such as animals, reptiles, birds and insects. Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī has quoted a further description of this lake from the Śrī Hari-vaṁśa ( Viṣṇu-parva 11.42, 11.44 and 11.46):
FAQs
This verse describes how Kāliya’s venom polluted the river so severely that even the poisonous mist and wind from the waves killed creatures on the bank—both plants and animals.
Śukadeva sets the scene of overwhelming harm to show the urgency of Kṛṣṇa’s intervention and the magnitude of His mercy in restoring life and purity.
It highlights how toxic influences can spread beyond their source; devotees are encouraged to seek Kṛṣṇa’s shelter and keep their environment—habits, company, and mind—free from “poisonous” contamination.