To the left of Govardhan Parvat, a vivid and captivating sculpture depicts Lord Krishna subduing the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River. The sculpture is 12 feet high, 10.5 feet wide, and 10 feet in diameter, creating a lifelike scene that inspires devotion in all who witness it. Among the many enchanting and inspiring stories from Lord Krishna's childhood pastimes, the subduing of Kaliya (Kaliya Naag Mardan) holds a special place. In this divine act, Lord Krishna crushed the pride of the serpent Kaliya and freed the Yamuna River from his deadly poison.
According to the legends, Kaliya was a son of Kadru and belonged to the serpent race of the Pannagas. Initially, he lived on the island of Ramanaka, but due to enmity with Garuda, he had to leave and eventually settled in the Yamuna River. Kaliya created a poisonous pool in the Yamuna, and due to his venom, the water would constantly boil. The toxic air around the pool would scorch trees and plants along the riverbanks, and even the birds flying above would fall dead due to the poison.
It is said that Kaliya Naag was the son of Kadru and belonged to the serpent (Pannaga) lineage. Initially, he lived on Raman Dweep, but due to enmity with Garuda, he was forced to leave and eventually settled in the Yamuna. In the Yamuna, Kaliya had a pool where the water was always boiling due to his venom. The poisonous fumes scorched trees, plants, and the riverbanks, and even birds flying above would fall dead from the toxic air.
When Lord Krishna saw that Kaliya's poison was troubling the people of Vrindavan and polluting the sacred Yamuna, He decided to teach Kaliya a lesson. One day, Krishna was playing ball with His friends. During the game, the ball fell into the Yamuna. The child whose ball it was began insisting, Krishna, please get my ball back. To fulfill his friend's request, Krishna climbed a Kadamba tree and jumped into the Yamuna to retrieve the ball.
As Krishna began playfully splashing in the water, Kaliya became enraged upon seeing a young boy fearlessly enjoying the poisonous waters. In his anger, Kaliya approached Krishna and captured Him in his coils. Seeing this, the people of Gokul, the gopis, cows, Mother Yashoda, and Nanda Baba all became worried and deeply distressed.
When Krishna saw that His play had caused such concern among His devotees, He expanded His form and freed Himself from Kaliya's grip. Krishna then climbed onto Kaliya's head and began to dance gracefully. Kaliya had a hundred heads, and each time he tried to raise one, Krishna would gently step on it, forcing him down. Eventually, Kaliya became weak and helpless and sought refuge in Lord Krishna.
At that moment, Kaliya's wives approached Krishna and prayed, "Lord, whatever you do is for the welfare of all beings. Please forgive our husband's mistakes and return him to us."
Lord Krishna, full of compassion, said to Kaliya, "You should no longer stay here. Now that my footprints are upon your body, Garuda will no longer harm you. Leave this place immediately with your family."
After bowing to Krishna with deep gratitude, Kaliya left the Yamuna with his family. By Krishna's divine grace, the waters of the Yamuna became pure and life-giving once again.
Whenever injustice and evil increase in the world, the Lord incarnates to protect His devotees and restore balance. Through this, Leela, Krishna showed that no matter how venomous or arrogant one may be, when they surrender at the Lord's feet, their end transforms into their welfare and the welfare of the world.
