Shloka 28
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
यद् यच्छिरो न नमतेऽङ्ग शतैकशीर्ष्ण- स्तत्तन् ममर्द खरदण्डधरोऽङ्घ्रिपातै: । क्षीणायुषो भ्रमत उल्बणमास्यतोऽसृङ् नस्तो वमन् परमकश्मलमाप नाग: ॥ २८ ॥
yad yac chiro na namate ’ṅga śataika-śīrṣṇas tat tan mamarda khara-daṇḍa-dharo ’ṅghri-pātaiḥ kṣīṇāyuṣo bhramata ulbaṇam āsyato ’sṛṅ nasto vaman parama-kaśmalam āpa nāgaḥ
亲爱的国王，卡利亚有101个突出的头，当其中一个不肯低头时，惩罚残忍作恶者的主奎师那就会用脚猛击那个顽固的头。然后，当卡利亚进入垂死挣扎时，他开始转动头部，从嘴和鼻孔里吐出可怕的鲜血。这条蛇因此经历了极度的痛苦和折磨。
FAQs
This verse describes how Śrī Kṛṣṇa repeatedly stamped down any of Kālīya’s hoods that refused to bow, bringing the serpent to extreme distress—showing the Lord’s decisive correction of arrogance and harm.
Śukadeva narrates the Kālīya-damana līlā to show Parīkṣit how the Lord personally protects His devotees and subdues destructive pride, compelling even a powerful offender toward submission.
When ego refuses to “bow,” suffering increases; this verse teaches that humility, accountability, and turning away from harmful actions are the path to relief and spiritual progress.