Krishna Leela - 2

In time the people of Gokula grew weary of the demon attacks that troubled the village, and, sensing danger, they resolved to move to the nearby land of Vrindāvana to live in peace. There the earth itself seemed to rejoice at Krishna's presence — flowers bloomed brighter where He walked, the rivers seemed to sing, and the gopas and gopis were drawn to His charm and the enchantment of His flute. But not all was pure in that paradise, for the Yamunā bore a dark secret in her depths.

The serpent Kaliya, fleeing his enemy Garuḍa, had made his home in her waters and poisoned them, so that cattle that drank from the river collapsed and even birds fell from the sky above it.

One afternoon, as Krishna and the gopas played near the bank, their ball fell into the poisoned water. Using the fallen ball as His reason, Krishna leapt in. The river roared, and deep below Kaliya rose, his many hoods spread wide and his eyes burning, and struck at the boy. But Krishna dodged with effortless grace and landed upon the serpent's hood, and there He began to dance. As His feet struck the hoods in rhythm the serpent was forced higher and higher above the water, and the whole village gathered to witness the divine spectacle.

Each step pressed Kaliya further into submission and drew the poison from him, until his wives, the Naginis, rose from the depths with folded hands and pleaded for his life. Ever compassionate, Krishna ceased His dance and commanded Kaliya to leave the Yamunā forever and return to Ramanaka Dwip, where he would be safe from Garuḍa. As the serpent departed, the darkened waters cleared and the Yamunā reclaimed her purity.