Shloka 19
कालियदमना: यमुनाशुद्धिः, करुणा-निग्रहः, स्तुति-तत्त्वम्
एष मोहं गतः कृष्णो मग्नौ वै कालिये ह्रदे भक्ष्यते सर्पराजेन तद् आगच्छत पश्यत
eṣa mohaṃ gataḥ kṛṣṇo magnau vai kāliye hrade bhakṣyate sarparājena tad āgacchata paśyata
“ਵੇਖੋ! ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਮੋਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੈ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ—ਉਹ ਕਾਲੀਆ ਦੇ ਸਰੋਵਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਡੁੱਬ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਸੱਪਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਜਾ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਨਿਗਲ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ। ਆਓ, ਛੇਤੀ—ਵੇਖੋ!”
The cowherds of Vraja (Gopas) crying out to one another (as narrated by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya)
FAQs
This verse captures the devotees’ immediate fear that Krishna has been overcome, setting up the revelation that the Lord’s līlā only appears perilous—His supremacy remains untouched as He subdues adharma symbolized by Kāliya.
Through the cowherds’ cries, the narrative shows human perception and emotion in contrast to divine reality: the onlookers assume defeat, while the unfolding story demonstrates Vishnu’s protection and mastery.
Even when Krishna seems “bewildered” or endangered, the Purana frames Him as the Supreme Reality whose actions are purposeful līlā—meant to remove evil and reassure devotees of divine sovereignty.