Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 29
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
तस्याक्षिभिर्गरलमुद्वमत: शिर:सु यद् यत् समुन्नमति नि:श्वसतो रुषोच्चै: । नृत्यन् पदानुनमयन् दमयां बभूव पुष्पै: प्रपूजित इवेह पुमान् पुराण: ॥ २९ ॥
tasyākṣibhir garalam udvamataḥ śiraḥsu yad yat samunnamati niḥśvasato ruṣoccaiḥ nṛtyan padānunamayan damayāṁ babhūva puṣpaiḥ prapūjita iveha pumān purāṇaḥ
Habang naglalabas ng lason mula sa kanyang mga mata, paminsan-minsan ay nangangahas si Kaliya na itaas ang isa sa kanyang mga ulo, na humihinga nang malakas dahil sa galit. Pagkatapos ay sasayaw ang Panginoon sa ibabaw nito at susupilin ito, pipilitin itong yumuko gamit ang Kanyang paa. Ginamit ng mga demigod ang bawat pagkakataong ito upang sambahin Siya, ang orihinal na Personalidad ng Diyos, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaulan ng mga bulaklak.
FAQs
This verse describes Kṛṣṇa subduing Kāliya by dancing on his many hoods, pressing them down whenever they rise in rage and poison—showing the Lord’s effortless mastery over even the deadliest evil.
Because Kṛṣṇa’s divine dance on Kāliya resembles a victorious, worshipful spectacle—His feet moving like a sacred dance, as though the serpent’s raised hoods were an altar and the moment a flower-offering to the Supreme Person.
When “poison” like anger, hatred, or harmful impulses rise again and again, the teaching is to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa and steady devotion—trusting that sincere surrender brings inner control and purification.