Canto Ten - Chapter 17

The King said: Why had Kāliya abandoned Ramaṇaka, the serpents' dwelling place? What improper act had he alone committed against Garuḍa?

Śrī Śuka said: O mighty-armed King, long ago it was arranged that each month the serpent race would offer Garuḍa a tribute of forest produce.

At every appointed lunar occasion, all the serpents presented their respective shares to the great Garuḍa for their own protection.

But Kāliya, a son of Kadru, was intoxicated by the power of his poison. Defying Garuḍa, he ate the offering himself.

O King, when Garuḍa, the powerful and swift carrier beloved of Bhagavān, heard of this, he became enraged and rushed upon Kāliya, intent on killing him.

Seeing Garuḍa attack with force, the venomous Kāliya raised his many heads and advanced to meet him. His terrible tongues flickered, his eyes blazed and his fangs were his weapons as he bit Garuḍa.

The mighty son of Tārkṣya, Garuḍa, carrier of Madhusūdana, furiously repelled him and, moving with tremendous speed, struck the powerful son of Kadru with his radiant golden left wing.

Struck by Garuḍa's wing and utterly overwhelmed, Kāliya entered the inaccessible lake in the Yamunā that Garuḍa could not approach.

Once, desiring to eat a water creature there, the hungry Garuḍa was forbidden by Saubhari, but he seized it by force.

Seeing the fish miserable and helpless after their leader had been killed, Saubhari compassionately spoke for the protection of those living in the lake.

If Garuḍa enters this place and eats the fish, he will immediately lose his life. I speak this truthfully.

Kāliya alone knew of this curse; no other serpent did. Fearing Garuḍa, he lived in that lake until Kṛṣṇa drove him away.

Then Kṛṣṇa emerged from the lake, wearing divine garlands, fragrances and garments, covered with precious jewels and adorned with gold from the Jambū River.

On seeing Him, everyone rose as if their lost life airs had returned. Their hearts filled with joy, the cowherds embraced Him affectionately.

O descendant of Kuru, Yaśodā, Rohiṇī, Nanda, the gopīs and the cowherd men regained their lives upon meeting Kṛṣṇa; even the dried-up trees seemed revived.

Knowing Acyuta's power, Balarāma embraced Him and laughed. Out of love He placed Kṛṣṇa upon His lap and looked at Him again and again. The cows, bulls and young calves attained the greatest joy.

The brāhmaṇas, family elders and their wives approached Nanda and said, 'By great good fortune your son has been released from Kāliya's grasp.'

'Give charity to the twice-born in celebration of Kṛṣṇa's deliverance.' O King, delighted Nanda then ordered that cows and gold be given.

The greatly fortunate Yaśodā, like a mother who had recovered her lost child, embraced Kṛṣṇa, placed Him upon her lap and repeatedly shed streams of tears.

O emperor, exhausted by hunger, thirst and fatigue, the people of Vraja and their cows spent that night there on the bank of the Yamunā.

At midnight a forest fire, born in the dry woodland, surrounded Vraja on every side while everyone slept and began to consume them.

Awakening in alarm as the flames burned around them, the people of Vraja sought refuge in Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord appearing as a human through His māyā.

Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, greatly fortunate Lord! O Rāma of immeasurable prowess! This most terrible fire is devouring us, Your own people.

O Lord and friend, protect us, Your own dependents, from this insurmountable fire of death. We cannot abandon Your fearless lotus feet.

Seeing His people in such distress, the infinite Lord of the universe, possessor of limitless power, swallowed the raging fire.