Krishna and Kaliya: Good fights Evil - Krishna and Kaliya

By Amishi Dhanuka

Krishna and Kaliya: Good fights Evil

It is a universal law: If we have ego, we will suffer. If we are arrogant, again, we will suffer till we are forced to surrender. The subduing of Kaliya the serpent by Krishna illustrates this.

The tenth canto of the Srimad Bhagvatam recounts the Kaliya daman lila performed by Krishna. Kaliya was a venomous serpent that lived in the Yamuna river. One summer Krishna's cowherd friends fainted and died when they drank water from the Yamuna. Kaliya had contaminated the river so much that vapour from the river was lethal enough to kill birds flying across.

When Krishna saw his transcendental companions die, he jumped into the river and agitated the water like a large thunderous elephant. Kaliya was filled with amrsyama-nah (intolerance and rage) at the presence of the trespasser. He took Krishna captive in his coils and raised his 101 heads. Krishna allowed him to do so for a while as he stayed still. Everyone standing on the banks of the river was very afraid and anxious except Balaram who was quietly smiling in full know-ledge of Krishna's potential.

As Krishna observed his mother Yashoda faint on the banks, he quickly began to expand his form to proportions beyond Kaliya's control. Kaliya lost his grip on Krishna and the Lord, standing on Kaliya's head, began to dance. With every rise and fall of his rhythmic steps, the serpent became more and more bewildered and overpowered. Weakened and powerless, Kaliya was now at Krishna's mercy. It was the prayer of Kaliya's pious wives, the nagapatnis, that saved him from annihilation. As a helpless and battered Kaliya began to chant prayers to Krishna, he promised to surrender at the Lord's feet. Krishna granted the transformed Kaliya forgiveness.

Kaliya symbolises many aspects of Kaliyug. Kaliya is black, the colour symbolising demoniac characteristics very similar to the inherent nature of contemporary man who is devious, proud, arrogant and envious. Kaliya imagines himself to be invincible, like many of us do today as we glow in the deceptive light of our false ego. Kaliya is also materially attached. He thinks he is the king of the Yamuna lake. We think we are masters of the universe.

Kaliya's body is slimy and slippery, very like his personality. An opportunist, he tries every trick to bite Krishna. Kaliya is a control freak. He is ignorant and tamasic to the core. He has a terrible temper and spews venom incessantly. Kaliya had so many heads that it is impossible for him to have any clarity of thought - they are symbols of confusion.

If the above characteristics sound too far-fetched to be a part of our ethos, think again. Each one of us has these negativities whether we accept them or not. To rise above them, to become pure, you need to surrender unto the creator like Kaliya did. Because real peace and happiness can be experienced only when one is pure, not when one is contaminated. And we have contaminated our existence by constantly drinking the poison of materialistic existence. And that poison kills our propensity to be happy.

Every time we speak an unnecessary word, or do something to take us towards more materialism, we are actually behaving like a serpent spewing venom. Our ego and pride are stumbling blocks on our path to spiritual progress. Subduing our innate sense of arrogance by unconditionally surrendering to the creator is the only way to experience bliss.

The story of Krishna and Kaliya the Snake is the story of how, ultimately, good triumphs over evil.