Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
कालियद्वारा श्रीकृष्णकी स्तुति और श्रीकृष्णकी उसे हृद छोड़कर समुद्रमें चले जानेकी आज्ञा तथा गरुड़के भयसे मुक्तिदान; कालिय एवं उसकी पत्नियोंद्वारा श्रीकृष्णकी अर्चना तथा उनसे विदा लेकर रमणक-द्वीपके लिये प्रस्थान जिन आँखोंमें निरन्तर विषकी ज्वाला जलती रहती, कालियके उन नेत्रोंमें ही एक अतिशय पवित्र दैन्यका संचार होने लगा। क्रमशः इन्द्रियोंकी, प्राणोंकी शक्ति भी लौट आयी। नासाछिद्रोंसे व्यथाभरे दीर्घ निःश्वास अवश्य आ रहे हैं, किंतु भक्तिरसकी आद्रता उसे आत्मसात् करती जा रही है। और यह लो, उसके अत्यन्त सुलम्बित भयावह सर्प-शरीरके अन्तरालमें एक सौम्य देवविग्रहकी अभिव्यक्ति हो गयी। पहले भी कालियमें देवोंके अनुरूप अगणित शक्तियाँ वर्तमान थीं, वह इच्छित रूप धारण कर सकता था। और आज तो वह श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके पादपद्मोंका पावन स्पर्श पाकर परम कृतार्थ हो चुका है। फिर इस समय अञ्जलि बाँधकर आराध्यदेवकी आराधना करनेका सुदुर्लभ अवसर वह क्यों छोड़ दे। इसीलिये अपने दुर्मद-दोषहारी श्रीहरि व्रजराजनन्दनके समक्ष कृताञ्जलि होकर वह अवस्थित हुआ है, उनका स्तवन करने जा रहा है- प्रतिलब्धेन्द्रियप्राणः कालियः शनकैर्हरिम्। कृच्छ्रात्समुच्छ्वसन् दीनः कृष्णं प्राह कृताञ्जलिः॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ५५) सावधान भा छन एक बीते। इंद्रिय प्रान भए सुखहीते॥ अति दुख लह्यौ, सिथिल सब गाता। मंद क्रिया, मुख आव न बाता॥ दीरघ स्वास डारि बहु बारा। जेन-तेन हिय साहस धारा॥ दीन जोरि जुग हाथ महीसा। बोल्यौ हरि सन बचन अहीसा॥ करि आइ कालिय प्रीति, गति मंद-मंद बिनीति। प्रभु पाँइ मेले सीस, करिये कृपा जगदीस॥ कालिय कहने लगा-- नाथ! महामहेश्वर! हम जन्मसे ही अत्यन्त दुष्ट हैं । परपीड़ा हमारा जन्मसिद्ध स्वभाव है। तमका घन आवरण हमपर नित्य फैला रहता है। विवेकसे सर्वथा शून्य हम हैं, प्रभो! क्रोध हमारा चिरसङ्गी है। हमारी प्रतिशोधकी भावना कभी शान्त होती ही नहीं। क्या करें-किसीके लिये, जीवमात्रके लिये, अपने स्वभावका परित्याग अत्यन्त कठिन जो है, नाथ! और यही कारण है कि जीव अनेक प्रकारके दुरभिनिवेशोंमें रच-पच जाता है; बस तुम्हीं बचा सकते हो, सर्वेश्वर! -- वयं खलाः सहोत्पत्त्या तामसा दीर्घमन्यवः। स्वभावो दुस्त्यजो नाथ लोकानां यदसदग्रहः॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ५६) हम निसर्ग तें खल अति घोरा। तामस अधिक, क्रोध नहिं थोरा॥ नाथ! सुभाव दुसह सब काहू। तजि न सके कोउ, भलि मति जाहू॥ आग्रह असत करे सब कोई। त्यागि न सके कोऊ किन होई॥ “हे विश्वविधाता! इस स्थावर-जंगम सम्पूर्ण परिदृश्यमान जगत्की रचना तुमने ही की है। तुम्हीं सोचो, स्वामिन्! गुणोंके भेदसे यह विस्तार, नानाविध स्वभाव, देहशक्ति, इन्द्रियशक्ति, मातृशक्ति, पितृशक्ति, वासना, आकृति-इनसे विशिष्ट यह विविध वैचित्रयमय विश्व तुमसे ही तो सृष्ट है! और तुम्हारी ही सृष्टिमें तुमसे ही निर्मित हम सर्प भी हैं, सर्वेश्वर! जातिस्वभावसे ही हम अत्यन्त क्रोधी हैं; तुम्हारी मायासे नितान्त मोहित हैं । अब, भला, तुम्हारी कृपाके बिना, स्वयं अपनी शक्तिसे ही तुम्हारी दुस्त्यज मायाको हमारे लिये पार कर लेना कैसे सम्भव है भगवन्? त्वया सृष्टमिदं विश्वं धातर्गुणविसर्जनम्।
English translation
Kaliya's praise of Shri Krishna; Shri Krishna's command that he leave the lake and go to the ocean, and His deliverance of Kaliya from fear of Garuda; Kaliya and his wives worship Shri Krishna, take leave of Him, and depart for Ramanaka-dvipa.
A profoundly pure humility began to enter those very eyes of Kaliya in which the flames of venom had always burned. Gradually the strength of his senses and vital airs also returned. Long, pain-filled breaths were still emerging from his nostrils, but the moist tenderness of devotional rasa was steadily absorbing that anguish. And behold, within that enormously long and terrifying serpent body, a gentle divine form manifested. Even before this, Kaliya possessed countless powers befitting a celestial being and could assume whatever form he desired. Today, moreover, he had become supremely blessed through the sacred touch of Shri Krishnachandra's lotus feet. Why, then, would he let slip this exceedingly rare opportunity to stand with folded hands and worship his adored Lord? Thus he stood before Shri Hari, the son of the King of Vraja and destroyer of his arrogant fault, joined his palms, and prepared to praise Him:
Having regained his senses and vital airs, Kaliya slowly addressed Hari. Breathing again only with great difficulty, the humbled serpent spoke to Krishna with folded hands.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.55)
After a moment he regained awareness; his senses and life-breaths found relief. He had suffered intensely, and all his limbs were limp; his movements were slow and no words came to his mouth. Again and again he drew long breaths; somehow he summoned courage in his heart. The serpent king meekly joined both hands and spoke these words to Hari.
Kaliya approached with love and humbly petitioned Him, moving very slowly. He laid his head at the Lord's feet and said, "O Lord of the universe, please show mercy."
Kaliya began to say, "O Lord! O Supreme Lord of lords! We have been extremely wicked from birth. Causing pain to others is our inborn nature. A dense covering of darkness perpetually envelops us. We are wholly devoid of discernment, Lord, and anger is our constant companion. Our urge for revenge never subsides. What can we do? For anyone, indeed for any living being, abandoning one's innate disposition is exceedingly difficult, O Lord. For this very reason a creature becomes steeped in many kinds of false attachment. Only You can save us, O Lord of all:
"We are wicked from our very birth, steeped in darkness and long possessed by anger. O Lord, a creature's innate nature, because of which it clings to what is unreal, is difficult to abandon."
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.56)
"By nature we are exceedingly fierce and wicked, deeply tamasic, with no small measure of anger. O Lord, one's nature is difficult for everyone to overcome; even a person of good understanding cannot cast it off. Everyone clings to what is false; whoever one may be, one cannot readily relinquish it.
"O Creator of the universe! You alone have created this entire visible world of moving and unmoving beings. Consider it Yourself, Master. This expansion produced by the differentiation of the gunas, this manifold nature, bodily power, sensory power, maternal power, paternal power, latent desire, and form, this richly varied universe distinguished by all of these, has been created by You alone. Within Your creation are we serpents, also made by You, O Lord of all. By the nature of our species we are fiercely angry and are utterly deluded by Your maya. Without Your grace, Lord, how could it possibly be within our own power to cross Your maya, which is so difficult to abandon?
"O Creator, this universe, with its unfolding of the gunas, has been created by You."
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
नानास्वभाववीर्यौजोयोनिबीजाशयाकृतिः॥ वयं च तत्र भगवन् सर्पा जात्युरुमन्यवः । कथं त्यजामस्त्वन्मायां दुस्त्यजां मोहिताः स्वयम्॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ५७-५८) नाथ! बिस्व यह गुन कृत कीन्हा। जस गुन जासु, तासु तस चीन्हा॥ पुनि नाना बिधि जाति सुभाऊ। बल बिक्रम आकार बनाऊ॥ जस जेहि जोनि, बीज जस जासू। फल उपजै तैसैं तब तासू॥ हे भगवंत अनंत गोसाई। हम पुनि सर्प जाति दुखदाई॥ बिषधर, क्रूर, क्रोध नहिं थोरा। किमि त्यागहिं निज प्रकृति कठोरा॥ तव माया मोहित हम स्वामी। अति अतर्क पद कंज नमामी॥ माया दुस्तर नाथ! तव, सो तव सदा अधीन। माया कृत चर-अचर सब, कैसी करें प्रबीन॥ रिस सर्प में अधिकाइ, तम जोनि, दुष्ट सुभाइ। मद मोह कोह प्रबंध, फिरि हैं बिरज बिस अंध॥ इन में सदा मन दीन, तव भक्ति में नहिं लीन। तुम दीनबंधु दयाल, मुहि रच्छ रच्छ क्रपाल॥ “तुमसे छिपा ही क्या है, नाथ! तुम सर्वज्ञ जो ठहरे, जगत्के समस्त प्राणियोंके सम्पूर्ण स्वभावको सदा जानते रहते हो। जगन्नियन्ता भी तुम्हीं हो, तुमसे ही तो जगत्के समस्त जीवोंके स्वभावोंका सृजन एवं नियन्त्रण होता है। मायाकृत बन्धनमें, तथा मायापाशसे मुक्तिदानमें भी तुम्हीं मुख्य हेतु हो, प्रभो! अब तुम स्वेच्छासे मेरे प्रति अनुग्रह तथा निग्रह- जो भी करना चाहो--वही करो, सर्वेश्वर! हमारे लिये तो तुम्हारी इच्छा ही परम कल्याणमय है, वही शिरोधार्य है, स्वामिन्! बस, आदेश करो, देव!- भवान् हि कारणं तत्र सर्वज्ञो जगदीश्वरः। अनुग्रहं निग्रहं वा मन्यसे तद् विधेहि नः॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ५९) तुम सर्वज्ञ, सुजान, जिमि कोउ पाल बबूर बन। आँव न फरै निदान, तद्यपि हम आधीन तव॥ कारन-करन-ईस भगबंता। सब जग के तुम एक, अनंता॥ निग्रह, अनुमोदन--दोउ नाथा। सकल अहै प्रभु! तब एक हाथा॥ आग्या देहु, नाथ! तुम जैसी। हम करिहैं संतत प्रभु तैसी॥ इतना कहकर कालिय स्थिरदृष्टिसे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर देखने लगा। सचमुच अन्तस्तलसे ही वह ब्रजेन्द्रनन्दनकी आज्ञाकी प्रतीक्षा कर रहा है। तथा नीलसुन्दर भी तुरंत ही उसे अपना निर्णय सुना देते हैं। व्रजपुरवासियोंका वह चिर-परिचित मधुस्यन्दी स्वर हृदके वक्ष:स्थलपर सर्वत्र गूँज उठता है, वे अतिशय प्रेमभरे कण्ठसे स्पष्ट कह रहे हैं- नात्र स्थेयं त्वया सर्प समुद्रं याहि मा चिरम्। स्वज्ञात्यपत्यदाराढ्यो गोनृभिर्भुज्यतां नदी॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ६०) 'कालिय! देख, अब तुझे यहाँ इस हृदमें, ब्रजपुरकी सीमामें, मेरे इस लीलाक्षेत्रमें निवास नहीं करना चाहिये। तनिक भी विलम्ब न करके तू आत्मीय कुटुम्ब-पुत्र-भार्या-इन सबके सहित यहाँसे समुद्रमें चला जा तथा जाकर अपने उस पूर्व वासस्थलमें ही बस जा। अब तो यमुना-जलका उपभोग व्रजकी गायें एवं व्रजपुरवासी ही करें!' सुनि असि बचन, कृष्ण सुखकंदा। बोले बचन सुखद नंदनंदा॥ इहाँ न तू अब बसहि फनीसा! जाहि सीघ्र तूँ तट बारीसा॥ जमुना जल पीवैं नर-नारी। धेनु-बत्सतर होहिं सुखारी ॥ सुत-दारादिक कौं लै साथा। जाहि बेगि अबहीं, अहिनाथा॥ सुखसदन मोहन मदन मूरति बदन-ससि मुसक्याइ कैं। करुना-अगार अपार सोभा दया उर में ल्याइ कैं॥ दुखहरन उर सीतल करन प्रभु बचन कहत सुनाइ कैं। अहिराज! सकल समाज लै तुम बसहु जलनिधि जाइ कैं ॥
English translation
"It possesses diverse natures, powers, vigor, wombs, seeds, dispositions, and forms. We too, O Lord, are among these beings: serpents, exceedingly wrathful by birth. Deluded as we are, how can we cast off Your maya, which is so difficult to relinquish?"
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.57-58)
"O Lord, You fashioned this universe through the gunas; as each one's guna is, so You made that being known. You further made many kinds of birth and nature, with their strength, prowess, shape, and constitution. According to each womb and each one's seed, so does its corresponding fruit arise. O infinite Lord and Master, we belong to the serpent race that inflicts pain. Venomous and cruel, our anger is not slight; how can we abandon our own harsh nature? We are deluded by Your maya, Master; I bow to Your lotus feet, whose state is beyond all reasoning.
"Your maya is difficult to cross, O Lord, yet it is always subject to You. All moving and unmoving beings are fashioned by maya; how can they become wise enough to escape it?
"Serpents abound in rage; theirs is a dark birth and a wicked nature. Bound by pride, delusion, and anger, they wander through Vraja blinded by venom.
"Among these my mind has ever remained lowly and has not become absorbed in devotion to You. You are the compassionate friend of the helpless; protect me, protect me, merciful Lord."
"What indeed can be hidden from You, O Lord? You are omniscient and always know the entire nature of every creature in the universe. You alone govern the universe; from You come the creation and regulation of the dispositions of all its beings. You are also the principal cause both of bondage wrought by maya and of release from maya's noose, Lord. Therefore, by Your own will, bestow grace upon me or restrain and punish me, whatever You deem fit, O Lord of all. For us, Your will alone is supremely beneficent and worthy of being borne upon our heads, Master. Only command me, Lord:
"For in this matter You are the cause, the omniscient Lord of the universe. Grant us favor or restraint, whichever You consider proper."
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.59)
"You are all-knowing and wise. Just as one may tend a grove of babul trees and yet no mango will bear fruit there, so, though we are subject to You, our innate nature persists.
"O blessed Lord, source, agent, and ruler of causes, You alone are the one Lord of the whole world, O Infinite One. Both restraint and approval, O Lord, lie wholly in Your one hand. Give whatever command You will, O Lord; we shall always act exactly according to it."
Having said this, Kaliya gazed steadily at Shri Krishnachandra. From the depths of his being he truly awaited the command of the son of the King of Vraja. Nila-sundara at once pronounced His decision. That familiar, honey-flowing voice of the beloved of Vraja resounded everywhere over the bosom of the lake. In a voice overflowing with love He clearly said:
"Serpent, you must not remain here. Go to the ocean without delay, accompanied by your kinsmen, children, and wives. Let this river be enjoyed by the cows and the people."
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.60)
"Kaliya, listen. You must no longer live here in this lake, within the bounds of Vraja, in this field of My pastimes. Without the least delay, take all your relatives, children, and wives and go from here to the ocean. Settle again in your former dwelling. From now on, let the water of Yamuna be used by the cows of Vraja and the residents of Vrajapura."
Hearing these words, Krishna, the fountain of bliss, Nandanandana spoke words that bestowed joy: "O serpent king, you shall dwell here no longer; go quickly to the shore of the lord of waters. Let men and women drink Yamuna's water, and let cows and calves become happy. Take your children, wives, and all the rest with you; depart at once, O lord of serpents."
The abode of happiness, the enchanting image of Love himself, smiled with his moonlike face. The boundless treasury of compassion brought mercy into His heart. The Lord, who removes sorrow and cools the heart, spoke these words for all to hear: "O serpent king, take your entire community and go dwell in the ocean."
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
नतमस्तक हुए कालियने व्रजेद्रनन्दनके इस आदेशको स्वीकार किया। किंतु उन नागवधुओंकी आँखें तो झर- झरकर बह चलीं। 'हाय रे! शत-सहस्र जन्मोंको अभिलाषा पूर्ण तो हुई, आराध्यदेव श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र मिले अवश्य; पर उनकी लीलास्थलीका अब हमें परित्याग कर देना है !'--इस दुस्सह तापमें ही नाग-रमणियोंका हृदय द्रवित होकर बाहरकी ओर प्रवाहित होने लगता है, सामने अवस्थित नीलसुन्दरके उस शयामल छबिसिन्धुमें ही विलीन होनेकी आशासे प्रसरित हो रहा है; क्योंकि श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके प्रत्यक्ष दर्शनका यह अनिर्वचनीय सुदुर्लभ सौभाग्य फिर प्राप्त हो, न हो! इधर इसी समय बाल्यलीलाविहारीने एक क्षणके लिये आकाशको ओर देखा। उस अभिनव मुग्धताको ओटसे झाँकती हुई अनन्त ऐश्वर्यकी छाया-जिसने अभी-अभी कालियको सागर लौट जानेका आदेश किया है--किंचित् और भी गाढ़ी हुई। अन्तरिक्षके वे गन्धर्व, सिद्ध, देव, चारण आदि सचकित होकर उन्हे देखने लगे। प्रतीत हुआ-मानो कालियके मिससे ब्रजराजनन्दन उन अन्तरिक्षवासियोंको, सम्पूर्ण जगतमें विस्तारित कर देनेके लिये, एक सुन्दर संदेश-दान करने जा रहे हों! और सचमुच ही उन महामहेश्वरने अपनी असमोर्ध्वं महिमाके एक तनिकसे अंशकी घोषणा स्वयं अपने श्रीमुखसे कर ही दी। उनके वे दृग्-सरोज अन्तरिक्षसे मुड़कर पुनः नागराजपर ही पीयूषकी वर्षा करने लगे तथा मेघगम्भीर स्वरमें उन्होंने कहा-- य एतत् संस्मरेन्मर्त्यस्तुभ्यं मदनुशासनम्। कीर्तयन्नुभयोः संध्योर्न युष्मद् भयमाप्लुयात्॥ योऽस्मिन् स्नात्वा मदाक्रीडे देवादींस्तर्पयेज्जलैः। उपोष्य मां स्मरन्नर्चेत् सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ६१-६२) “कालिय! सुनो, जो व्यक्ति सायं-प्रातः तुम्हारे प्रति किये हुए मेरे अनुशासन-वाक्यको उच्चारण करते हुए मेरी इस लीलाका स्मरण करे, अथवा मेरी इस आज्ञाका या मेरे इस सम्पूर्ण चरित्रका स्मरण एवं कीर्तन करे, उसे सर्पोंसे भय न हो! देखो, यह हृद मेरा विहारस्थल बन चुका है। जो कोई इसमें विधिवत् स्नान करके, इस हृदके जलसे देव, ऋषि एवं पितृगणोंका तर्पण करेगा एवं तीर्थोपवासकी विधिसे उपवास कर मुझे स्मरण करता हुआ मेरी पूजा करेगा, वह समस्त पापोंसे पूर्णतया मुक्त हो जायगा।' यह प्रसंग गावै जो सुनई। तुम तें भय सो कबहुँ न लहई॥ एहिं सर जो मजन कोउ करिहै। देव-पितर हित पिंड जु भरिहै॥ ब्रत करि मम सुमिरन अरु ध्याना। जे करिहे तेहि पाप नसाना॥ श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी यह परम मधुर कल्याणमयी वाणी कालियके कर्णरन्ध्रोंमें भी प्रविष्ट हो रही है; किंतु अब तो उसका भी हृदय भर आया है। अतीतके अगणित वर्षोंकी घटनाएँ, अपने बहिर्मुख जीवनका प्रवाह और अभी-अभी ब्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके द्वारा पाये हुए अनिर्वचनीय सौभाग्य-दानकी निराविल सुखानुभूति- दोनोंके अत्यन्त जीवंत प्रतिचित्र हृत्पटपर झलमल कर रहे हैं। पश्चात्तापकी दुस्सह व्यथा, परमानन्दका अपरिसीम उद्देलन-दोनों क्रमशः, नहीं-नहीं, एक साथ ही उसके प्राणोंको अभिभूत कर रहे हैं। वह सोच रहा है--'इस महामलिन सर्पदेहमें अध्यस्त रहकर, इससे सम्बद्ध समस्त वस्तुओंमें अपने- परायेकी भावनासे सतत भावित रहकर न जाने कहाँ- से-कहाँ बहता रहा हूँ, अपनी इस तमोमयी जीवन- धारामें बहते हुए न जाने कितनी कोटि-कोटि नृशंस कर्मराशियोंका निर्माण मैंने किया है। फिर भी इन सामने अवस्थित करुणावरुणालय प्रभु व्रजराजनन्दनने मुझे अपने चरणसरोजोंको शीतल शंतम छायाका दान किया ही! प्राणधारण सफल हो गया मेरा। पर हाय! यह हुआ उस अन्तिम मुहूर्तमें जब कि मैं, बस, तुरंत इस आगेके कुछ क्षणोंमें ही-स्वेच्छा या अनिच्छासे--मृत्युको वरण करने जा रहा हूँ, हृदकी सीमाके उस पार कालिय नामसे अभिहित इस शरीरका सदाके लिये अवसान होने जा रहा है! पक्षिराज गरुड़ प्रतीक्षा ही कर रहे होंगे मेरी! और यद्यपि इस विनश्वर तमोमय सर्प-शरीरकी तो सचमुच अब चिन्ता ही क्या है, मेरी एकमात्र निधि, इन मेरे आराध्यदेव श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको
English translation
Kaliya bowed his head and accepted this command of the son of the King of Vraja. But tears streamed from the eyes of the serpent women. "Alas! The longing of hundreds of thousands of births has indeed been fulfilled, for we have attained our adored Lord Shri Krishnachandra, but now we must leave the place of His pastimes!" In the unbearable heat of this thought, the hearts of the serpent women melted and began to flow outward. They extended in the hope of dissolving into the dark ocean of beauty that was Nila-sundara standing before them, for who knew whether this indescribably rare fortune of beholding Shri Krishnachandra directly would ever come again?
At that very moment, the Enjoyer of childhood pastimes looked toward the sky for an instant. The shadow of infinite majesty peeking from behind His fresh and captivating innocence, the majesty that had just commanded Kaliya to return to the ocean, deepened a little more. The Gandharvas, Siddhas, gods, Charanas, and others in the heavens looked at Him in wonder. It seemed that, on the pretext of addressing Kaliya, the son of the King of Vraja was about to give those celestial dwellers a beautiful message to spread throughout the whole world. And indeed, the Supreme Lord Himself proclaimed from His own holy mouth a tiny portion of His unequalled and unsurpassed glory. His lotus eyes turned from the sky and again showered nectar upon the serpent king, and in a voice deep as a cloud He said:
"Any mortal who remembers this command I have given you and recites it at both dawn and dusk shall not be overcome by fear of your kind. Whoever bathes here in this playground of Mine, offers its waters to the gods and others, fasts, remembers Me, and worships Me shall be freed from every sin."
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.61-62)
"Kaliya, listen. Whoever morning and evening remembers this pastime while reciting the words of instruction I have spoken to you, or remembers and sings this command of Mine or My entire deed, shall have no fear of serpents. See, this lake has become the playground of My pastimes. Whoever bathes here according to sacred rule, offers this lake's water to the gods, sages, and ancestors, observes the prescribed pilgrimage fast, and worships Me while remembering Me shall be completely freed from all sins."
Whoever sings or hears this account shall never suffer fear from you. Whoever bathes in this lake and offers oblations for the gods and ancestors, whoever undertakes a vow and remembers and meditates upon Me, that person's sins shall be destroyed.
These supremely sweet and beneficent words of Shri Krishnachandra entered Kaliya's ears as well, but now his own heart overflowed. The events of innumerable past years, the current of his outward-turned life, and the stainless happiness of the indescribable gift of fortune just granted by the son of the King of Vraja, vivid images of both shimmered upon the canvas of his heart. The unbearable agony of repentance and the boundless surge of supreme bliss overwhelmed his life in succession, or rather, both at once. He thought, "Dwelling in this profoundly impure serpent body, continually regarding all things connected with it as mine or another's, who knows how far and where I have drifted? Carried along the dark stream of my life, I have created untold millions upon millions of cruel deeds. Yet the Lord, the son of the King of Vraja, the oceanic abode of compassion standing before me, has truly granted me the cool, most peaceful shade of His lotus feet. My sustaining of this life has become fruitful. But alas, this happened only at the final moment, when in merely the next few instants I am about to embrace death, willingly or unwillingly. Beyond the boundary of this lake, the body called Kaliya is about to come to its end forever. Garuda, king of birds, must surely be waiting for me. Although there is now truly no concern for this perishable, dark serpent body, after attaining my only treasure, this adored Lord Shri Krishnachandra of mine..."
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
पा लेनेके अनन्तर अब क्या भय है; किंतु प्राणोंकी यह नवीन अभिलाषा तो हाय! अपूर्ण ही रह गयी! मेरा कर्मविपाक मुझे शरीर तो दे सकता है, पर ओह ! श्रीकृष्णचरणसरोरुहसे स्पृष्ट हुए शरीरकी उपलब्धि मुझे कहाँ होगी ? मेरे अनादि अज्ञान-तिमिरका आज सहसा अन्त हो जानेके उपरान्त इन मेरी भक्तिमती पत्नियोंके साथ, ऐसे पावन परिवारसे आवृत होकर, श्रीकृष्णचरणोंकी सेवा मैं आगे कहाँ किस जन्ममें कर पाऊँगा ? आह! कदाचित् किसी भी मूल्यमें मैं इतना-सा और पा जाता--अपने इस शरीरको गरुड़के मुखसे सुरक्षित अनुभव कर लेता! मेरे प्रभुके ही प्रिय पार्षद गरुड़में कृपालुता भर आती! मुझे कृपापूर्वक वे भी जीवन-दान दे देते। हृदकी सीमाका उल्लङ्घन करनेपर भी वे मेरा प्राण हनन न करते! फिर तो अवशिष्ट जीवनकी यह अन्तिम साध भी पूरी हो जाती; शेष आयुका प्रत्येक क्षण श्रीकृष्णचरणसेवामें व्यतीतकर अपना यह मनोरथ भी पा लेता; मुझे अपने प्राणोंसे भी अधिक स्नेहदान करनेवाली मेरी इन पत्नियोंको चिरवाञ्छित वस्तुका दान करके इनके ऋणका भी किसी अंशमें परिशोध कर लेता; अबतक मेरी बहिर्मुखताको देख-देखकर निरन्तर व्यथित इनका हृदय, इनके अश्रुपूरित नेत्र शीतल हो जाते; मेरे साथ अवस्थित होकर श्रीकृष्ण-चरणोंमें प्रतिक्षण श्रद्धाञ्जलि समर्पित करते रहनेको इनकी लालसा पूर्ण हो जाती; हम सभी एक साथ क्षण-क्षणमें श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चारु-चरणोंमें न्योछावर होते रहते”! किंतु अब अवकाश नहीं; प्रभुने आज्ञा दे दी, बस, अब तो यहाँसे चलना है! देव! मेरे नाथ! हे परम कृपालो! भक्तवाञ्छाकल्पतरो! अशरणशरण! स्वामिन्! बस, इतनी कृपा हो-तुम्हारा यह कालिय, मृत्युपथका यह पथिक उस अन्तिम क्षणमें कहीं तुम्हें विस्मृत न हो जाय ! जन्म-जन्मातरमें भी कभी, किसी कालमें भी, एक क्षणके लिये भी तुम्हारे दिये हुए इस अप्रतिम कृपादानके अधिकारसे वञ्चित न हो जाय! बस, इतनी-सी कृपा, हे करुणार्णव!! कालियके नेत्रोंसे भी बिन्दु झरने लगे। पर व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनकी वह वीणाविनिन्दित वाणी तुरंत कालियके कण-कणको झंकृत कर उठी। वे कहने लगे- द्वीपं रमणकं हित्वा ह्रदमेतमुपाश्रितः। यद्भयात् स सुपर्णस्त्वां नाद्यान्मत्पदलाञ्छितम्॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ६३) “कालिय! सुनो, जिनके भयसे तुम रमणक-द्वीपको छोड़कर वृन्दावनके इस हृदमें निवास कर रहे हो, वे गरुड़ अब, तुम्हारे मस्तकको मेरे पद-चिह्नोंसे चिह्नित देखकर अपने मुँहका ग्रास तुम्हें नहीं बनायेंगे।' रमनक नामा दीपबर, तहाँ बसौ सुख पाइ। जासु त्रास तैं इत बस्यौ, सो भय गयौ नसाइ॥ गरुड़ खाइ तो कॅह नहिं कबहूँ। तहाँ बसहु सुत परिजन सबहूँ॥ मम चरन चिह्नित फन तिहारे, बिहगपति यह जानि कैं। करि कैं सुहदता, हितु करै, मन मित्रता कौं मानि कैं॥ प्रेमविहृल होकर कालिय श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चरणोंमें ही गिर पड़ा। आँखोंसे अनर्गल अश्रुधारा प्रवाहित हो रही है; किंतु अब उसे नीलसुन्दरके पादपद्मोंकी पूजा भी तो करनी है। इसीलिये किसी अचिन्त्य शक्तिने ही उसे अनुप्राणित कर अग्रिम कृत्यकी प्रेरणा दी, अन्यथा उसमें तो ऐसी सामर्थ्य रही नहीं थी। जो हो, कालिय तुरंत यन्त्रप्रेरित-सा हुआ उठ बैठा, नीलसुन्दरके श्यामल सुकोमल कलेवरकी ओर उसकी दृष्टि गयी और हृदय विदीर्ण होने लगा--'हाय रे! इन्हीं मृदुल अङ्गोंको मैंने वेष्टित किया था, शतसहस्रदंशनसे क्षत- विक्षत करनेका अथक प्रयास किया था।' फिर तो कालिय मानो भूल-सा गया व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके अपरिसीम ऐश्वर्यको; उसे बस, डँसे हुए उन-उन स्थलोंकी भावना होती और उसके प्राण हाहाकार करने लगते। सहसा झरते हुए नेत्रोंसे ही उसने अपनी पत्नियोंको कुछ संकेत किया। भक्तिरसको लहरोंपर वे सब स्वयं बह रही थीं। इसीलिये पतिके रसमय प्राणोंका संवेदन उनमें संकेतमात्रसे ही व्याप्त हो गया। वे दौड़ीं, नहीं-नहीं, वहीं-न जाने कैसे-कालियके कोषागारकी सम्पूर्ण सम्पत्ति तत्क्षण उपस्थित हो गयी। कालियने, उसकी पत्नियोंने नीलसुन्दरको सर्वप्रथम एक परम दिव्य आसनपर पधराया; फिर दिव्यातिदिव्य मृगमद, कुङ्कुम, चन्दन
English translation
"...what fear can remain? Yet alas, this new longing of my life remains unfulfilled. The fruition of my karma may give me a body, but where will I ever obtain a body touched by the lotus feet of Shri Krishna? Now that the beginningless darkness of my ignorance has suddenly ended, in what future birth and in what place shall I be able to serve Shri Krishna's feet, together with these devoted wives and surrounded by so sacred a family? Ah, if at any price I could gain just this much more: that I might feel this body safe from Garuda's mouth. If Garuda, the beloved attendant of my Lord, were filled with compassion and graciously granted me life; if, even after I crossed the boundary of the lake, he did not take my life! Then this final yearning of my remaining life would be fulfilled. I could spend every moment of my remaining years in the service of Shri Krishna's feet and attain this cherished aim. By giving my wives, who love me more than their own lives, the object they have long desired, I could repay some part of my debt to them. Their hearts, always distressed by the sight of my outward-turned condition, and their tear-filled eyes would grow cool. Their longing to remain with me and offer homage at Shri Krishna's feet at every moment would be fulfilled. All of us together would keep offering ourselves at every instant to the beautiful feet of Shri Krishnachandra. But there is no time now. The Lord has commanded me; I must leave. O God! My Lord! Supremely merciful One! Wish-fulfilling tree of the devotees' desires! Refuge of the shelterless! Master! Grant only this much grace: at that final moment, may this Kaliya, this traveler upon the path of death, not forget You. Birth after birth, at no time and not even for a moment, may I never be deprived of the claim conferred by this incomparable gift of grace You have given. Only this little mercy, O ocean of compassion!"
Drops began to fall from Kaliya's eyes as well. But the son of the King of Vraja immediately thrilled every particle of Kaliya's being with His voice, more melodious than a vina. He said:
"You abandoned the island of Ramanaka and took refuge in this lake out of fear of Garuda. That Suparna will not eat you now, for you are marked with the signs of My feet."
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.63)
"Kaliya, listen. You left Ramanaka-dvipa in fear of Garuda and came to dwell in this lake of Vrindavana. Now, when Garuda sees your head marked with the impressions of My feet, he will not make you a morsel for his mouth."
"Ramanaka is the noble island; go and dwell there in happiness. The fear that drove you to live here has now been destroyed.
"Garuda shall never eat you there; dwell there with your children and all your family.
"The lord of birds will recognize that your hoods bear the marks of My feet. He will treat you with goodwill, act for your benefit, and hold friendship toward you in his heart."
Overwhelmed with love, Kaliya fell at Shri Krishnachandra's feet. Unchecked streams of tears flowed from his eyes, but he must now worship the lotus feet of Nila-sundara. Some inconceivable power therefore infused him with life and impelled him toward the next act, for otherwise no such capacity remained in him. Kaliya immediately sat up as if moved by a mechanism. His gaze fell upon Nila-sundara's dark, tender form, and his heart began to split: "Alas! I coiled around these very soft limbs and tirelessly tried to tear them apart with hundreds of thousands of bites." Kaliya then seemed to forget the limitless majesty of the son of the King of Vraja. He remembered only each place he had bitten, and his whole being cried out in anguish. With his streaming eyes he suddenly signaled something to his wives. They themselves were being borne upon waves of devotional rasa, and so the feeling in their husband's rasa-filled heart pervaded them through that mere signal. They ran, or rather, without anyone knowing how, the whole treasury of Kaliya appeared there at once. Kaliya and his wives first seated Nila-sundara upon a supremely divine throne. Then with musk, kunkuma, sandal paste, and other substances of surpassing divinity...
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
आदिसे उनके समस्त अङ्गोंको विलेपित किया-मानो उनके प्राण अत्यन्त आकुल हो उठे हों इस विलेपनके द्वारा सबसे पहले उन दंशित स्थलोंकी वेदना हर लेनेके लिये! इसके अनन्तर परम दिव्य पीताम्बर धारण कराया। पश्चात् वहीं नाग एवं नागवधुओंके पार्श्रदेशमें रंग-बिरंगे विविध सुरभित कुसुमोंकी राशि एकत्र हो गयी; उनके स्पर्शमात्रसे ही अतिशय सुन्दर पुष्पमालाएँ गुम्फित हो गयीं और उन सबने व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनको एक-एक सौरभमय पुष्पमाला धारण करायी। अब पद्मराग आदि मणियोंका शृङ्गार धराया तथा अमूल्य अलंकारोंसे श्रीअङ्गोंको अलंकृत किया। फिरसे अतिशय शोभामय एक कमलमाला समर्पित की। इसीके साथ क्षणभरमें ही अर्चनाके कितने उपचार अर्पित हुए- यह गणना सम्भव ही नहीं है वहाँ। बस, उनके भावोंकी ऊर्मियाँ जिन-जिन उपचारोंका सृजन कर रही हैं, वे ही मूर्त हो जा रहे हैं और उनसे ही ब्रजेनद्रकुलचन्द्रकी अर्चना सम्पन्न हो रही है। और सच तो यह है कि महामहेश्वरके वे चिदानन्दस्वरूपभूत अलंकार आभूषण आदि ही-जो बाल्यावेश-रसके अनुरूप न होनेके कारण तिरोहित हैं-आविर्भूत होकर उनके श्रीअङ्गोंका स्पर्श लेने आये हैं। इसीलिये तो नित्य कौस्तुभ भी आज उनकी ग्रीवाको, वक्षःस्थलको अलंकृत करने आया है- तं पूजयामास मुदा नागपत्न्यश्च सादरम्॥ दिव्याम्बरस्रङ्मणिभिः परार्ध्यैरपि भूषणैः। दिव्यगन्धानुलेपैश्च महत्योत्पलमालया ॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ६४-६५) पुनि सादर जुत बिबिध प्रकारा। प्रभुहि पूजि कीन्हौ सतकारा॥ दिब्य बसन, मनिगन, सुभ माला। दिब्य गंध सब सौरभ साला॥ दिव्य कंज स्त्रज भूषन आनी। अरपेउ प्रभु कहँ, अति सुख मानी॥ अस्तु, इस प्रकार जगदीश्वरकी पूजा सम्पन्न हुई; कालियने श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी प्रसन्नता प्राप्त की। अनुरागभरे हृदयसे उसने देवाधिदेवकी परिक्रमा की; फिर अनेक वन्दन समर्पित किये और रमणक चले जानेकी अनुमति ली-- पूजयित्वा जगन्नाथं प्रसाद्य गरुड़ध्वजम्। ततः प्रीतोऽभ्यनुज्ञातः परिक्रम्याभिवन्द्य तम्॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ६६) एहि बिधि प्रभुहि प्रसन्न कराई। पुनि अति बिनय करथौ, मन लाई॥ आयसु माँगि प्रदच्छिन कोन्हा। पुनि निज सिर हरिचरन सु दीन्हा॥ हृदके तटपर अवस्थित व्रजपुरवासी देख रहे हैं; अन्तरिक्षचारी देवगण देख रहे हैं-कलिन्दनन्दिनीके प्रवाहमें एक वेगपूर्ण स्पन्दन हो रहा है, नहीं-नहीं, पत्नी-पुत्र- बन्धु-बान्धवके साथ कालिय यमुनाप्रवाहके मार्गसे चला जा रहा है; आगे सुरसरि की धाराका अनुसरण करते हुए समुद्रके रमणक द्वीपमें चले जानेके उद्देश्यसे उसने इस जलपथका ही आश्रय लिया है- सकलत्रसुहृत्पुत्रो द्वीपमब्धेर्जगाम ह। (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ६७) सुत कलत्र मिलि कैं एक साथा । गए द्वीप रमनक नर नाथा॥ और तपनतनया श्रीयमुनाके हृदका वही जलप्रवाह तत्क्षण निर्विष ही नहीं अपितु सुधा-मधुर बन गया है- तदैव सामृतजला यमुना निर्विषाभवत्॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १६। ६७) ता दिन ते रबिसुता सुहावनि। गत-बिष भई सुभग अति पावनि॥ अब विविध शृङ्गारसे सुशोभित श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र तो तटकी ओर अग्रसर हो रहे हैं तथा अन्तरिक्ष एवं वृन्दाकाननका कण-कण देवोंके जयघोषसे नादित हो रहा है-- जय-जय धुनि अमरनि नभ कीन्हौ। धन्य-धन्य जगदीस गुसाई अपनौ करि अहि लीन्हौ॥
English translation
...they anointed all His limbs, as though their hearts had become intensely restless to remove first of all the pain of the bitten places through that anointment. After this they dressed Him in a supremely divine yellow garment. Then, beside the serpents and serpent women, there appeared a mass of fragrant flowers of many colors and kinds. At their mere touch, exceedingly beautiful garlands were woven, and each of them placed a fragrant flower garland upon the son of the King of Vraja. Next they offered an arrangement of padmaraga and other gems and adorned His sacred limbs with priceless ornaments. Then they offered another splendid lotus garland. How many articles of worship were presented in that single moment cannot be counted. Whatever articles the waves of their feeling created took material form, and by these the worship of the Moon of Vrajendra's line was accomplished. And in truth, those ornaments and adornments that are embodiments of the Supreme Lord's own consciousness and bliss, but remain hidden because they are unsuited to the rasa of His childhood absorption, manifested now and came to touch His sacred limbs. Thus even the eternal Kaustubha came today to adorn His neck and chest:
Kaliya joyfully worshiped Him, and the serpent wives did so with reverence, offering divine garments, garlands, and gems, priceless ornaments, divine fragrant ointments, and a magnificent garland of lotuses.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.64-65)
Then, with reverence and in many ways, they worshiped and honored the Lord. They brought divine garments, gems, auspicious garlands, and every heavenly fragrance filled with perfume. They brought a divine lotus garland and ornaments and joyfully offered them to the Lord.
Thus the worship of the Lord of the universe was completed, and Kaliya gained Shri Krishnachandra's favor. With a loving heart he circumambulated the God of gods, offered many obeisances, and sought permission to depart for Ramanaka:
Having worshiped the Lord of the universe and pleased Him whose banner bears Garuda, Kaliya became joyful. With the Lord's permission, he circumambulated and bowed to Him.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.66)
In this way he brought pleasure to the Lord; then, concentrating his mind, he petitioned with deep humility. He sought permission and circumambulated Him, then placed his head again at Hari's feet.
The people of Vrajapura standing upon the bank of the lake watched; the gods moving through the sky watched. A swift vibration arose in the current of Kalindanandini. No, it was Kaliya traveling along the Yamuna's current with his wives, sons, relatives, and companions. Intending to reach Ramanaka-dvipa in the ocean, he took this waterway and would proceed by following the current of the celestial river:
Together with his wives, friends, and sons, he went to the island in the ocean.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.67)
Children and wives all went together; O lord of men, they went to the island of Ramanaka.
At that very moment the same current in the lake of Shri Yamuna, daughter of the sun, became not only free of poison but sweet as nectar:
At once Yamuna became free of poison, and her water was like nectar.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.16.67)
From that day the daughter of the sun became lovely, free of poison, beautiful, and exceedingly pure.
Shri Krishnachandra, now adorned with many ornaments, advanced toward the bank, while every particle of the sky and Vrindavana resounded with the gods' cries of victory:
The immortals raised cries of victory in the sky. "Blessed, blessed is the Lord of the universe, who has made the serpent His own!"