Shloka 55
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
प्रतिलब्धेन्द्रियप्राण: कालिय: शनकैर्हरिम् । कृच्छ्रात् समुच्छ्वसन् दीन: कृष्णं प्राह कृताञ्जलि: ॥ ५५ ॥
pratilabdhendriya-prāṇaḥ kāliyaḥ śanakair harim kṛcchrāt samucchvasan dīnaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ prāha kṛtāñjaliḥ
Kāliya từ từ hồi phục sinh lực và các giác quan. Rồi, thở hổn hển trong đau đớn, con rắn đáng thương ấy chắp tay khiêm cung thưa với Đức Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse shows Kāliya, after being subdued, regaining his life-breath and approaching Lord Hari with folded hands—illustrating that humility and surrender to Kṛṣṇa are the doorway to mercy even after grave offenses.
Kāliya had been chastised by Kṛṣṇa and was left distressed and breathless; recognizing Kṛṣṇa as Hari, he approached slowly in fear and repentance and spoke with joined palms as an act of submission.
When faced with consequences of harmful actions, pause, regain clarity, and approach the situation with honesty and humility—like Kāliya—seeking forgiveness and making amends rather than defending the ego.