Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
इत्थं स्वगोकुलमनन्यगतिं निरीक्ष्य सस्त्रीकुमारमतिदु:खितमात्महेतो: । आज्ञाय मर्त्यपदवीमनुवर्तमान: स्थित्वा मुहूर्तमुदतिष्ठदुरङ्गबन्धात् ॥ २३ ॥
ittham sva-gokulam ananya-gatiṁ nirīkṣya sa-strī-kumāram ati-duḥkhitam ātma-hetoḥ ājñāya martya-padavīm anuvartamānaḥ sthitvā muhūrtam udatiṣṭhad uraṅga-bandhāt
主见到自己果库罗的妇女、孩童等居民因爱他、以他为唯一归依而极度悲痛,便在蛇的缠绕中停留片刻,仿佛凡人一般。随即体察他们的苦楚,立刻从迦利耶的束缚中挺身而起。
This verse describes the Vraja people as ananya-gati—seeing Kṛṣṇa as their sole shelter—showing the Bhagavatam ideal of exclusive dependence on the Lord in times of crisis.
Śukadeva explains that Kṛṣṇa saw the unbearable grief of the Vraja residents and, understanding the limitations of mortal fear and sorrow, paused briefly and then rose from Kāliya’s bondage.
It teaches sensitivity to others’ distress: even when one is spiritually strong, one should acknowledge the fears of ordinary people and respond with timely reassurance and responsible action.