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One day Krishna went with all his companions, other than
Rama, to the Yamuna side. The Gopa boys and the cows being
very thirsty drank the water of that pool and met with instan t
death. Krishna cast his amrita pouring looks at them and they got
up, being restored to life. They looked at each other, very much
surprised.
To purge the river, Krishna got upon a Kadamba tree and
jumped into the pool of water. Kaliya fiercely attacked him and
stung him to the quick. The serpent then twined round Krishna.
The cows wept, the Gopa boys became senseless. There were evil
portents in Vrindavana. Nanda and other Gopas came out in search
of Krishna. They saw him in the grasp of the powerful serpent and
made loud wailings. A moment after, seeing how they all grieved
for him, Krishna eluded the grasp of the serpent and moved dancing
round him. The serpent, somewhat fatigued, also kept moving
with its overspread hoods, fixing its looks on Krishna. Krishna then
got upon the hoods one thousand in number, one hundred being the
chief, and danced on them putting down the hood that tried to raise
itself. It was a lovely sight and the Devas sang in joy and rained
flowers. The serpent king was overpowered. He vomited blood.
His body was broken. In his heart of hearts, he sought the protec-
tion of Narayana. The serpent girls also glorified Krishna and pray-
ed for their husband's life.
Krishna said: "Go hence O serpent, dwell in the sea. Men
and cows shall use the water of the river. You left Ramanaka
Dvipa for fear of Garuda. But now as your heads bear the marks
of my feet, Garuda shall not touch you." Kaliya left the Yamuna with
his wives and the water of that river has been pure ever since.
The people of Vrindavana embraced Krishna and shed tears
of joy. They were all so much put out that they stopped that night
on the river bank. At midnight, a fire broke out from a castor
plantation and it surrounded the people on all sides. The Gopas and
Gopis cried out: "O Krishna, O Rama, we are yours. Krishna!
Save us from this fire. We are not afraid of our lives, but it will
pain us to part from Thy feet."
Krishna ate up the whole fire.
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