Shloka 64
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
श्रीऋषिरुवाच मुक्तो भगवता राजन् कृष्णेनाद्भुतकर्मणा । तं पूजयामास मुदा नागपत्न्यश्च सादरम् ॥ ६४ ॥
śrī-ṛṣir uvāca mukto bhagavatā rājan kṛṣṇenādbhuta-karmaṇā taṁ pūjayām āsa mudā nāga-patnyaś ca sādaram
ฤๅษีกล่าวว่า—ข้าแต่พระราชา เมื่อถูกปลดปล่อยโดยพระกฤษณะผู้เป็นภควาน ผู้ทรงกิจอัศจรรย์แล้ว กาลิยะพร้อมด้วยภรรยานาคทั้งหลายได้บูชาพระองค์ด้วยความปีติและความเคารพยิ่ง
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura comments as follows on this verse: “The word adbhuta-karmaṇā indicates the Lord’s wonderful activities of saving the residents of Vṛndāvana from Kāliya, saving Kāliya himself from Garuḍa, and bestowing grace upon both the victims of violence and the committer of that violence.” The word kṛṣṇena, “by Kṛṣṇa,” indicates that because Kāliya’s wives were great devotees of the Lord and offered Him loving affection, Kṛṣṇa withdrew ( karṣaṇam ) both Kāliya’s offense against the Lord’s devotee Garuḍa and that against the residents of Vṛndāvana, who were very dear to Him.
FAQs
This verse states that after being released by Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, Kāliya responded by worshiping Him joyfully—showing that Kṛṣṇa’s mercy can transform even a harmful offender into a reverent worshiper.
Śukadeva is narrating the Kāliya-līlā to King Parīkṣit in a teacher-disciple setting, marking a key turn in the story: after chastisement, Kāliya is freed and offers worship, along with his wives.
Accept correction with humility, and respond to grace with gratitude: when given a chance to change, honor the divine and cultivate reverence rather than returning to harmful habits.