SRI KRISHNA LEELAMRUTHAM (THE NECTARINE STORIES OF THE DEEDS OF LORD KRISHNA)

17. LORD KRISHNA'S GRACE ON THE KALIYA SERPENT

Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram used to tend calves near Yamuna river with His companions in Vrindavan. At times, Lord Krishna alone used to bring forward the cowherd with His companions without Lord Balaram. It was the time of summer solstice in which the sun reaches either the highest or lowest point at noon. The calves, the cows and the cowherd boys couldn't manage the extreme heat and became very thirsty. So, they drank water from the river Yamuna. As soon as they drank the poisonous water, they fell dead immediately. Lord Krishna gave them a fresh life through His radiating mere glance of look. Soon they regained their life and astonished by looking each other's face. They realized  that after drinking the poisonous water, they lost their consciousness. Lord Krishna understood that that was the effect of Kaliya serpent.

                                                The story starts with Garuda, the vehicle of Mahavishnu once used to eat snakes as His prey. All the snakes offered as sacrifice by themselves every month. That was the agreement made by the snakes. Garuda was pleased by the sacrifice and on every full moon day, a snake is offered at the foot of a specific tree. But, a serpent named "Kaliya", the son of Kardu was very proud of his strength. He was not ready to offer himself to Garuda. On seeing the attitude of serpent Kaliya, Garuda became very angry and in turn attacked him. The overpowered Kaliya sought shelter in the river Yamuna. Because, once upon a time Garuda was trying to eat fishes. Rishi Soubhari heard the wept of the fishes. It touched the heart of the Rishi. In order to save them, Rishi Soubhari uttered, "Garuda! please don't eat the fishes!". But Garuda didn't pay attention to the words of Rishi. Rishi Soubhari became angry and cursed Garuda, "Garuda! you will die if you enter into the pool!". Therefore, Garuda didn't entered into river Yamua. Kaliya knew this already and hid himself in the river Yamuna.

  

Lord Krishna knew everything about the serpent Kaliya. The whole river turned into venom and that created poisonous vapors. The river bed, the trees, the creepers all had dried up. Lord Krishna in order to purify the river and to save the people of vraja, He tightened His girdle and climbed upon a tall kadamba tree. It was the only tree freed from poison as it was touched by the lotus feet of the God Himself. Lord Krishna approached the serpent Kaliya. Kaliya was sighting the beauty of the God but, as he was evil, he began to attack Krishna. The serpent Kaliya violently grabbed Lord Krishna and stung Him with its sharp points capable of creating poisonous wound all over the body of the Lord.

 On seeing this, the cows, the cowherd boys, the people of vraja wept bitterly. They were in depth of sorrow and became senseless.While, Lord Balaram put on a divine smile as He knew everything that is yet to happen. The evil Kaliya again and again attacked Lord Krishna by emitting venom. But, Lord Krishna was smiling and charmingly looked at the serpent. Nanda Maharaja and mother Yashoda were breathless on seeing this incident. Because, for them, nothing is more than their child. It happened for more than two hours. At a certain point, Lord Krishna freed Himself from the trap of the serpent and expanded His body in all directions. He began to sport with the serpent. Kaliya was very incensed and when tried to attack Him continuously, the coils were tightly stuck and he couldn't move any step. Lord Krishna stood upon the hoods of the serpent and danced upon them. Kaliya had thousands of hoods. Lord Krishna was dancing to and fro upon the hoods of the serpent. On seeing this wonderful event, the Demigods bowed Their heads to the God of supreme personality. When Lord Krishna was dancing, Kaliya and his kin tried to push the Lord down in a moving fashion. But the Lord Muraari took hold of His control. He performed "Kalinga nardhana" by dashing the hoods with His lotus feet. The people of Vrindavan began to praise Lord Krishna and bowed their head towards Him.

At a particular time, Kaliya was about to loose his life. Because, the venom emitting from him turned into blood. Kaliya began to vomit the blood of him. Lord Krishna crushed down the hoods of the serpent and danced endlessly. The body of Kaliya was then shattered. The serpent Kaliya sought the protection of Lord Muraari after realizing his mistake. When Kaliya was shattered, the wives of the serpents, "Nagapatnis" prepared to worship Lord Krishna in order to save their husbands. They offered many prayers and began to worship the Lord. Lord Krishna slowly stopped the dance and was pleased by the devotion of the nagapatnis. The serpent Kaliya slowly recovered consciousness and began to praise the Lord.

Lord Krishna said, "Oh Kaliya serpent! please don't stay here any more. You immediately go to the sea with your relations. The river Yamuna is used by the cows, the boys and the people of vraja. Panic not! Garuda won't touch you bear my marks of feet (Srivatsava symbol). You can stay there without any kind of disturbance". Then the serpent Kaliya proceeded to Ramanaka island with his relations after his prayers to the Lord. The river Yamuna turned as sweet as nectar.

TO BE CONTINUED.....