Krishna and Kaliya: The Serpent of Yamuna

One of the most famous stories from Krishna’s childhood is his encounter with the multi-headed serpent Kaliya. The serpent had taken residence in the Yamuna River, poisoning its waters and killing the fish and trees around it. The people of Vrindavan were terrified, for anyone who ventured near the river would be killed by Kaliya’s venom.

One day, while playing with his friends near the riverbank, Krishna saw the havoc caused by Kaliya. Without fear, Krishna dove into the Yamuna to confront the serpent. Kaliya, enraged by Krishna’s challenge, attacked him with all his might, wrapping his coils around the young boy. But Krishna, the Supreme Being, easily escaped and grew larger until he danced upon Kaliya’s many heads, subduing the serpent.

Krishna’s dance was both a display of divine power and grace. Under the pressure of Krishna’s feet, Kaliya’s arrogance was broken, and the serpent begged for mercy. Krishna spared Kaliya’s life but banished him from the Yamuna, ordering him to never return and to live in the ocean instead.

The people of Vrindavan, who had been watching from the shore in terror, rejoiced when Krishna emerged victorious, bringing life and purity back to the Yamuna.

Moral: Arrogance and evil, no matter how powerful, are no match for divine grace. The Lord protects and purifies the world, restoring peace where there is chaos.