Shloka 54
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं स नागपत्नीभिर्भगवान् समभिष्टुत: । मूर्च्छितं भग्नशिरसं विससर्जाङ्घ्रिकुट्टनै: ॥ ५४ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca itthaṁ sa nāga-patnībhir bhagavān samabhiṣṭutaḥ mūrcchitaṁ bhagna-śirasaṁ visasarjāṅghri-kuṭṭanaiḥ
Śukadeva Gosvāmī berkata: Setelah dipuji demikian oleh para Nāgapatnī, Bhagavan melepaskan Kāliya yang pengsan, kepalanya remuk dipukul oleh hentakan kaki teratai Tuhan.
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa, upon reaching His decision, immediately jumped down from Kāliya’s hoods and stood before the serpent and his wives. We should remember that when Lord Kṛṣṇa executed these pastimes, He was just a young village boy in Vṛndāvana.
FAQs
This verse shows that after being praised by Kāliya’s wives, Kṛṣṇa released Kāliya even though he was left stunned and his heads were crushed—indicating correction followed by compassion.
They offered prayers to the Lord to save their husband; their heartfelt glorification moved the narrative toward Kṛṣṇa granting release to Kāliya.
Divine discipline is meant for purification, not hatred—one can accept correction, seek refuge through sincere prayer, and reform one’s conduct.