The Poisonous Crisis of the People of Braj...
Due to His sweet and mischievous pastimes, Lord Krishna is known as 'Lilapurshottam' (the supreme performer of divine plays). When Lord Krishna appeared in Dwapar Yuga as the son of Devaki and Vasudev, dark clouds of danger loomed over Him due to Kamsa. To protect the infant Krishna, Vasudev handed Him over to Nanda and Yashoda. However, upon knowing about Krishna’s whereabouts, Kamsa sent several illusionary demons to kill Him. These demons repeatedly brought danger to Krishna and His village, Gokul. But the almighty Lord always vanquished them and saved the people of Gokul.
Once, a mighty and venomous serpent caused a great crisis for the people of Gokul, the cows, calves, and other wild animals and birds. The venom of this serpent was so potent that even the plants, trees, and grass by the Yamuna River became lifeless.
When Krishna was six years old, a poisonous serpent named Kaliya took residence in the Yamuna. Although Kaliya was not sent by Kamsa, his presence still caused a great danger to the people of Gokul.
During the scorching heat of Jeth and Ashadh (summer months), the cowherds, cows, and calves were extremely thirsty. They rushed to the Yamuna and drank its water, unaware that the water they were consuming was filled with deadly poison. Kaliya’s venom had contaminated the entire Yamuna River.
When Lord Krishna arrived at the scene, playing His melodious flute, He saw that all the cowherds, cows, and calves had fallen to the ground, as though they were dead. With His divine, life-giving gaze, He revived them, and they rose to their feet, looking at each other in amazement.
The venom of Kaliya was extremely potent. The water of the Yamuna was turning red and yellow due to the poison. Even the birds that tried to fly over the river fell dead into the water. The trees, plants, and grass along the river were withered, and the air blowing from that direction had become poisonous. The birds flying through the clouds were also falling to the ground.
Young Krishna jumps into the Yamuna to fight Kaliya...
Lord Krishna noticed that the presence of Kaliya had poisoned the Yamuna, turning it into a dangerous river. He saw the desperate cries and the terrible situation of the villagers. He tightened His waistcloth, climbed a Kadamba tree, and leapt into the Yamuna to confront Kaliya.
When Kaliya saw a young boy with a dark complexion, resembling a cloud, wearing yellow clothes, and smiling gently, wandering freely in his territory without any fear, Kaliya’s rage flared up. He captured Krishna in his powerful coils.
Seeing this, the cowherds were overwhelmed with fear and sorrow, and they fainted to the ground. The cows and calves froze, unable to move, as if in shock.
Upon hearing the news, Nanda and Yashoda, along with other villagers, were filled with fear and distress. They rushed toward the Yamuna, unable to bear the thought of losing their son. Yashoda and Nanda were willing to sacrifice their lives for Krishna, but the other gopis and Balarama forcibly stopped them from jumping into the river.
The miraculous dance that defeated Kaliya...
Seeing His parents and the villagers in great sorrow, Lord Krishna inflated His body, and as a result, Kaliya’s coils loosened. Kaliya, in intense fury, tried to strike Krishna with his heads, but Krishna easily dodged all the attacks. As Kaliya grew tired, Krishna climbed onto his many heads.
Kaliya had a hundred heads, each adorned with red jewels. As Krishna danced on Kaliya's heads, His feet became redder due to the jewels, and the gods, gandharvas, siddhas, and celestial beings watching the divine dance showered flowers and played drums and cymbals.
Whenever Kaliya tried to strike Krishna with his heads, Krishna crushed them under His feet. Gradually, Kaliya’s power weakened, and blood began to flow from his mouth and nostrils. Dizzy from the pain, Kaliya fell unconscious, but when he regained consciousness, he breathed fire-like venom and tried to attack Krishna again. But Krishna would crush his heads, again and again.
The blood from Kaliya’s wounds fell onto Krishna’s feet, and it seemed as though Krishna’s feet were being worshipped with Kaliya’s blood.
As Lord Krishna continued His dance, Kaliya’s pride was broken, and he realized that he was in the presence of the Supreme Lord. His strength diminished, and his heads were crushed under Krishna's feet. Blood poured from his mouth and nostrils. Kaliya lost his arrogance and, in his heart, began to remember the Supreme Lord, Narayana.
The wives of Kaliya praise Lord Krishna and pray for Kaliya’s forgiveness...
Kaliya’s wives, who were virtuous, came to Krishna with their sons and humbly prayed for mercy. They said:
"O Lord! You have incarnated to punish the wicked. It would be better for our husband to be punished. For You, son and enemy are the same, and Your punishment is for the ultimate welfare of all. This serpent must have committed some great sin to have been born as a serpent. Therefore, Your anger towards him is a blessing. We understand that whatever punishment You give him will purify him."
The wives of Kaliya praised Lord Krishna, and as they prayed for Kaliya's forgiveness, Krishna, moved by their devotion, released Kaliya from His divine grip. Kaliya regained consciousness.
Kaliya and his wives worship Lord Krishna...
Lord Krishna said to Kaliya, “Now you should not remain here. Go back to the ocean with your family, for the people and animals of Gokul need the water of the Yamuna to live. I know that you came here because of the fear of Garuda, but now you need not fear him. The marks of My feet on your heads will protect you.”
Kaliya and his wives, along with their sons, offered flowers, jewels, perfumes, and other offerings to Krishna, worshipping Him with reverence. Then they returned to their abode on Ramanak Island in the ocean.
After Krishna's divine play, the water of the Yamuna became pure and sweet, like nectar, and the poison was completely washed away.