The Subduing of Kaliya

Verse 1 (vishnu.5.7.1)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । एकदा तु विना रामं कृष्णो वृंदावनं ययौ विचचार वृतो गोपैर्वन्यपुष्पस्रगुज्ज्वलः

śrīparāśara uvāca ekadā tu vinā rāmaṁ kṛṣṇo vṛṁdāvanaṁ yayau vicacāra vṛto gopairvanyapuṣpasragujjvalaḥ

Parashara said: "Once, without Rama, Krishna went into Vrindavana, and wandered about, surrounded by cowherds, resplendent with a garland of wildflowers."

Verse 2 (vishnu.5.7.2)

स जगामाथ कालिंदीं लोलकल्लोलशालिनीम् तीरसंलग्नफेनौघैर्हसंतीमिव सर्वतः

sa jagāmātha kāliṁdīṁ lolakallolaśālinīm tīrasaṁlagnaphenaughairhasaṁtīmiva sarvataḥ

He then came to the Kalindi, rich with restless waves, seeming, with the foam clinging to its banks all around, to be laughing.

Verse 3 (vishnu.5.7.3)

तस्याश्चातिमहाभीमं विषाग्निश्रितवारिणम् ह्रदं कालीयनागस्य ददर्शातिविभीषणम्

tasyāścātimahābhīmaṁ viṣāgniśritavāriṇam hradaṁ kālīyanāgasya dadarśātivibhīṣaṇam

And there he saw the terrible pool of the serpent Kaliya, most frightful, its waters permeated by the fire of poison.

Verse 4 (vishnu.5.7.4)

विषाग्निना प्रसरता दग्धतीरमहीरुहम् वाताहतांबुविक्षेपस्पर्शदग्धविहंगमम्

viṣāgninā prasaratā dagdhatīramahīruham vātāhatāṁbuvikṣepasparśadagdhavihaṁgamam

Its spreading poison-fire had scorched the trees along its banks; birds were burnt by the mere touch of its wind-flung spray.

Verse 5 (vishnu.5.7.5)

तमतीव महारौद्रं मृत्युवक्त्रमिवापरम् विलोक्य चिंतयामास भगवान्मधुसूदनः

tamatīva mahāraudraṁ mṛtyuvaktramivāparam vilokya ciṁtayāmāsa bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ

Beholding that terrible pool, like another mouth of death, Lord Madhusudana fell to thinking.

Verse 6 (vishnu.5.7.6)

अस्मिन्वसति दुष्टात्मा कालीयोऽसौ विषायुधः यो मया निर्जितस्त्यक्त्वा दुष्टो गच्छेत्पयोनिधिम्

asminvasati duṣṭātmā kālīyo'sau viṣāyudhaḥ yo mayā nirjitastyaktvā duṣṭo gacchetpayonidhim

"'Here dwells that evil-souled Kaliya, whose weapon is poison; let him, conquered by me, forsake this place and go to the ocean.'"

Verse 7 (vishnu.5.7.7)

तेनेयं दूषिता सर्वा यमुना सागरंगमा न नरैर्गोधनैश्चापि तृषार्त्तैरुपभुज्यते

teneyaṁ dūṣitā sarvā yamunā sāgaraṁgamā na narairgodhanaiścāpi tṛṣārttairupabhujyate

"'By him this entire Yamuna, on its way to the sea, has been fouled; not even men or cattle tormented by thirst can drink from it.'"

Verse 8 (vishnu.5.7.8)

तदस्य नागराजस्य कर्त्तव्यो निग्रहो मया निस्त्रासास्तु सुखं येन चरेयुर्व्रजवासिनः

tadasya nāgarājasya karttavyo nigraho mayā nistrāsāstu sukhaṁ yena careyurvrajavāsinaḥ

"'Therefore this serpent-king must be subdued by me, so that the people of Vraja may go about happily, free of fear.'"

Verse 9 (vishnu.5.7.9)

एतदर्थं तु लोकेस्मिन्नवतारः कृतो मया यदेषामुत्पथस्थानां कार्या शांतिर्दुरात्मनाम्

etadarthaṁ tu lokesminnavatāraḥ kṛto mayā yadeṣāmutpathasthānāṁ kāryā śāṁtirdurātmanām

"'For this very purpose have I taken this descent into the world — that these evil-souled ones, strayed from the right path, might be brought to rest.'"

Verse 10 (vishnu.5.7.10)

तदेतं नातिदूरस्थं कदंबमुरुशाखिनम् अधिरुह्य पतिष्यामि ह्रदेऽस्मिन्ननिलाशिनः

tadetaṁ nātidūrasthaṁ kadaṁbamuruśākhinam adhiruhya patiṣyāmi hrade'sminnanilāśinaḥ

"'So, climbing this nearby kadamba tree with its wide branches, I shall leap down into this pool of the air-feeding serpent.'"

Verse 11 (vishnu.5.7.11)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्थं विचिंत्य बद्धा च गाढं परिकरं ततः निपपात ह्रदे तत्र नागराजस्य वेगतः

śrīparāśara uvāca itthaṁ viciṁtya baddhā ca gāḍhaṁ parikaraṁ tataḥ nipapāta hrade tatra nāgarājasya vegataḥ

Parashara said: "Having thought thus, and having bound his garment tight about his waist, he plunged swiftly into that pool of the serpent-king."

Verse 12 (vishnu.5.7.12)

तेनातिपतता तत्र क्षोभितस्स महाह्रदः अत्यर्थं दूरजातांस्तु समसिंचन्महीरुहान्

tenātipatatā tatra kṣobhitassa mahāhradaḥ atyarthaṁ dūrajātāṁstu samasiṁcanmahīruhān

"By his violent leap the great pool grew so agitated that it drenched even the trees standing far off."

Verse 13 (vishnu.5.7.13)

ते हि दुष्टविषज्वालातप्तांबुपवनोक्षिताः जज्वलुः पादपास्सद्यो ज्वालाव्याप्तदिगंतराः

te hi duṣṭaviṣajvālātaptāṁbupavanokṣitāḥ jajvaluḥ pādapāssadyo jvālāvyāptadigaṁtarāḥ

"Sprinkled with wind and water scalded by the evil poison-flame, those trees at once caught fire, filling the sky around with flames."

Verse 14 (vishnu.5.7.14)

आस्फोटयामास तदा कृष्णो नागह्रदे भुजम् तच्छब्दश्रवणाच्चाशु नागराजोऽभ्युपागमत्

āsphoṭayāmāsa tadā kṛṣṇo nāgahrade bhujam tacchabdaśravaṇāccāśu nāgarājo'bhyupāgamat

"Then Krishna slapped his arm in challenge within the serpent's pool; and, hearing that sound, the serpent-king came at once."

Verse 15 (vishnu.5.7.15)

आताम्रनयनः कोपाद्विषज्वालाकुलैर्मुखैः वृतो महाविषैश्चान्यैरुरगैरनिलाशनैः

ātāmranayanaḥ kopādviṣajvālākulairmukhaiḥ vṛto mahāviṣaiścānyairuragairanilāśanaiḥ

"His eyes red with fury, his mouths seething with poison-flame, he came surrounded by other great venomous, air-feeding serpents."

Verse 16 (vishnu.5.7.16)

नागपत्न्यश्च शतशो हारिहारोपशोभिताः प्रकंपिततनुक्षेपचलत्कुंतलकांतयः

nāgapatnyaśca śataśo hārihāropaśobhitāḥ prakaṁpitatanukṣepacalatkuṁtalakāṁtayaḥ

"And hundreds of the serpent's wives, adorned with lovely necklaces, their curling locks swaying with the tremor of their bodies —"

Verse 17 (vishnu.5.7.17)

ततः प्रवेष्टितस्सर्पैस्स कृष्णे भोगबंधनैः ददंशुस्तेऽपि तं कृष्णं विषज्वालाकुलैर्मुखैः

tataḥ praveṣṭitassarpaissa kṛṣṇe bhogabaṁdhanaiḥ dadaṁśuste'pi taṁ kṛṣṇaṁ viṣajvālākulairmukhaiḥ

"Then Kaliya coiled his own body about Krishna in binding loops, and the other serpents too bit him with their poison-flaming mouths."

Verse 18 (vishnu.5.7.18)

तं तत्र पतितं दृष्ट्वा सर्पभोगैर्निपीडितम् गोपा व्रजमुपागम्य चुक्रुशुः शोकलालसाः

taṁ tatra patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarpabhogairnipīḍitam gopā vrajamupāgamya cukruśuḥ śokalālasāḥ

"Seeing him fallen there, oppressed by the serpent's coils, the cowherds ran back to Vraja and cried out in grief."

Verse 19 (vishnu.5.7.19)

गोपा ऊचुः । एष मोहं गतः कृष्णो मग्नौ वै कालियह्रदे भक्ष्यते नागराजेन तमागच्छत पश्यत

gopā ūcuḥ eṣa mohaṁ gataḥ kṛṣṇo magnau vai kāliyahrade bhakṣyate nāgarājena tamāgacchata paśyata

The cowherds said: "This Krishna has fainted and sunk into Kaliya's pool! The serpent-king is devouring him — come, come and see!"

Verse 20 (vishnu.5.7.20)

तच्छ्रुत्वा तत्र ते गोपा वज्रपा तोपमं वचः गोप्यश्च त्वरिता जग्मुर्यशोदाप्रमुखा ह्रदम्

tacchrutvā tatra te gopā vajrapā topamaṁ vacaḥ gopyaśca tvaritā jagmuryaśodāpramukhā hradam

"Hearing this word, like the fall of a thunderbolt, the cowherds and gopis, with Yashoda at their head, hurried at once to the pool."

Verse 21 (vishnu.5.7.21)

हाहा क्वासाविति जनो गोपीनामतिविह्वलः यशोदया समं भ्रान्तो द्रु तप्रस्खलितं ययौ

hāhā kvāsāviti jano gopīnāmativihvalaḥ yaśodayā samaṁ bhrānto dru tapraskhalitaṁ yayau

"'Alas, alas — where is he?' Utterly distraught, the people ran along with Yashoda, stumbling in their haste."

Verse 22 (vishnu.5.7.22)

नंदगोपश्च गोपाश्च रामश्चाद्भुतविक्रमः त्वरितं यमुनां जग्मुः कृष्णदर्शनलालसाः

naṁdagopaśca gopāśca rāmaścādbhutavikramaḥ tvaritaṁ yamunāṁ jagmuḥ kṛṣṇadarśanalālasāḥ

"Nanda, the cowherds, and Rama of wondrous prowess hastened to the Yamuna, longing to see Krishna."

Verse 23 (vishnu.5.7.23)

ददृशुश्चापि ते तत्र सर्पराजवशंगतम् निष्प्रयत्नीकृतं कृष्णं सर्पभोगविवेष्टितम्

dadṛśuścāpi te tatra sarparājavaśaṁgatam niṣprayatnīkṛtaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ sarpabhogaviveṣṭitam

"And there they saw Krishna, fallen in the power of the serpent-king, motionless, bound about by the serpent's coils."

Verse 24 (vishnu.5.7.24)

नंदगोपोपि निश्चेष्टो न्यस्य पुत्रमुखे दृशम् यशोदा च महाभागा बभूव मुनिसत्तम

naṁdagopopi niśceṣṭo nyasya putramukhe dṛśam yaśodā ca mahābhāgā babhūva munisattama

"O best of sages, Nanda too grew motionless, his eyes fixed on his son's face, and so too illustrious Yashoda."

Verse 25 (vishnu.5.7.25)

गोप्यस्त्वन्या रुदंत्यश्च ददृशुः शोककातराः प्रोचुश्च केशवं प्रीत्या भयकातर्यगद्गदम्

gopyastvanyā rudaṁtyaśca dadṛśuḥ śokakātarāḥ procuśca keśavaṁ prītyā bhayakātaryagadgadam

"The other gopis, weeping, watched in grief, and, their voices breaking with love and fearful distress, spoke to Keshava."

Verse 26 (vishnu.5.7.26)

गोप्य ऊचुः । सर्वा यशोदया सार्द्धं विशामोत्र महाह्रदम् सर्पराजस्य नो गंतुमस्माभिर्युज्यते व्रजम्

gopya ūcuḥ sarvā yaśodayā sārddhaṁ viśāmotra mahāhradam sarparājasya no gaṁtumasmābhiryujyate vrajam

The gopis said: "Let us all, with Yashoda, enter this great pool of the serpent-king; it is not fitting for us to go back to Vraja."

Verse 27 (vishnu.5.7.27)

दिवसः को विना सूर्यं विना चंद्रे ण का निशा विना वृषेण का गावो विना कृष्णेन को व्रजः

divasaḥ ko vinā sūryaṁ vinā caṁdre ṇa kā niśā vinā vṛṣeṇa kā gāvo vinā kṛṣṇena ko vrajaḥ

"'What is day without the sun? What is night without the moon? What are the cows without the bull? What is Vraja without Krishna?'"

Verse 28 (vishnu.5.7.28)

विनाकृता न यास्यामः कृष्णेनानेन गोकुलम् अरम्यं नातिसेव्यं च वारिहीनं यथा सरः

vinākṛtā na yāsyāmaḥ kṛṣṇenānena gokulam aramyaṁ nātisevyaṁ ca vārihīnaṁ yathā saraḥ

"'Without this Krishna we will not go to Gokula — it would become unlovely and unfit to live in, like a lake without water.'"

Verse 29 (vishnu.5.7.29)

यत्र नेंदीवरश्यामकायकांतिरयं हरिः तेनापि पातुर्वासेन रतिरस्तीति विस्मयः

yatra neṁdīvaraśyāmakāyakāṁtirayaṁ hariḥ tenāpi pāturvāsena ratirastīti vismayaḥ

"'That anyone could still find joy dwelling in a place bereft of this Hari, whose body's beauty is dark as the blue lotus — that itself would be astonishing!'"

Verse 30 (vishnu.5.7.30)

उत्फुल्लपंकजदलस्पष्टकांतिविलोचनम् अपश्यंतो हरिं दीनाः कथं गोष्ठे भविष्यथ

utphullapaṁkajadalaspaṣṭakāṁtivilocanam apaśyaṁto hariṁ dīnāḥ kathaṁ goṣṭhe bhaviṣyatha

"'Not seeing Hari, whose eyes hold the clear beauty of full-blown lotus petals, how, wretched as we would be, could we stay on in the cow-pen?'"

Verse 31 (vishnu.5.7.31)

अत्यंतमधुरालापहृताश्षोमनोरथम् न विना पुंडरीकाक्षं यास्यामो नंदगोकुलम्

atyaṁtamadhurālāpahṛtāśṣomanoratham na vinā puṁḍarīkākṣaṁ yāsyāmo naṁdagokulam

"'We, whose every longing his exceedingly sweet speech has carried away, will not go to Nanda's Gokula without that lotus-eyed one.'"

Verse 32 (vishnu.5.7.32)

भोगेनावेष्टितस्यापि सर्पराजस्य पश्यत स्मितशोभिमुखं गोप्यः कृष्णस्यास्मद्विलोकने

bhogenāveṣṭitasyāpi sarparājasya paśyata smitaśobhimukhaṁ gopyaḥ kṛṣṇasyāsmadvilokane

"'See, friends — even bound in the serpent-king's coils, Krishna's face still shines with a smile as he looks upon us.'"

Verse 33 (vishnu.5.7.33)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इति गोपीवचः श्रुत्वा रौहिणेयो महाबलः गोपांश्च त्रासविधुरान्विलोक्य स्तिमितेक्षणान्

śrīparāśara uvāca iti gopīvacaḥ śrutvā rauhiṇeyo mahābalaḥ gopāṁśca trāsavidhurānvilokya stimitekṣaṇān

Parashara said: "Hearing these words of the gopis, and seeing the cowherds trembling in terror, their eyes frozen, the mighty son of Rohini —"

Verse 34 (vishnu.5.7.34)

नंदं च दीनमत्यर्थं न्यस्तदृष्टिं सुतानने मूर्च्छाकुलां यशोदां च कृष्णमाहात्मसंज्ञया

naṁdaṁ ca dīnamatyarthaṁ nyastadṛṣṭiṁ sutānane mūrcchākulāṁ yaśodāṁ ca kṛṣṇamāhātmasaṁjñayā

"— and seeing utterly wretched Nanda, his gaze fixed on his son's face, and Yashoda overcome with faintness, spoke to Krishna, reminding him of his own true greatness."

Verse 35 (vishnu.5.7.35)

किमिदं देवदेवेश भावोऽयं मानुषस्त्वया व्यज्यतेत्यंतमात्मानं किमनंतं न वोत्सि यत्

kimidaṁ devadeveśa bhāvo'yaṁ mānuṣastvayā vyajyatetyaṁtamātmānaṁ kimanaṁtaṁ na votsi yat

"'What is this, O Lord of the gods of gods? Why do you show this merely human air? Do you not know your own infinite self?'"

Verse 36 (vishnu.5.7.36)

त्वमेव जगतो नाभिरराणामिव संश्रयः कर्त्तापहर्त्ता पाता च त्रैलोक्यं त्वं त्रयीमयः

tvameva jagato nābhirarāṇāmiva saṁśrayaḥ karttāpaharttā pātā ca trailokyaṁ tvaṁ trayīmayaḥ

"'You alone are the world's hub, as the spokes rest upon the hub; you are creator, destroyer, and preserver; you are the three worlds, the very substance of the triple Veda.'"

Verse 37 (vishnu.5.7.37)

सेंद्रै रुद्रा ग्निवसुभिरादित्यैर्मरुदश्विभिः चिंत्यसे त्वमचिंत्यात्मन् समस्तैश्चैव योगिभिः

seṁdrai rudrā gnivasubhirādityairmarudaśvibhiḥ ciṁtyase tvamaciṁtyātman samastaiścaiva yogibhiḥ

"'O inconceivable one, Indra and the Rudras, Agni, the Vasus, the Adityas, the Maruts, the Ashvins, and every Yogi meditate upon you alone.'"

Verse 38 (vishnu.5.7.38)

जगत्यर्थं जगन्नाथ भारावतरणेच्छया अवतीर्णोऽसि मर्त्येषु तवांशश्चाहमग्रजः

jagatyarthaṁ jagannātha bhārāvataraṇecchayā avatīrṇo'si martyeṣu tavāṁśaścāhamagrajaḥ

"'O Lord of the world, for the world's sake, wishing to relieve its burden, you have descended among mortals, and I am your own elder portion.'"

Verse 39 (vishnu.5.7.39)

मनुष्यलीलां भगवन् भजता भवता सुराः विडम्बयन्तस्त्वल्लीलां सर्व एव सहासते

manuṣyalīlāṁ bhagavan bhajatā bhavatā surāḥ viḍambayantastvallīlāṁ sarva eva sahāsate

"'O Lord, since you have taken up this human play, all the gods too sit watching, mimicking your sport alongside you.'"

Verse 40 (vishnu.5.7.40)

अवतार्य भवान्पूर्वं गोकुले तु सुरांगनाः क्रीडार्थमात्मनः पश्चादवर्तीर्णोऽसि शाश्वत

avatārya bhavānpūrvaṁ gokule tu surāṁganāḥ krīḍārthamātmanaḥ paścādavartīrṇo'si śāśvata

"'O eternal one, first you sent the wives of the gods down into Gokula, and afterward descended yourself, for your own sport.'"

Verse 41 (vishnu.5.7.41)

अत्रावतीर्णयोः कृष्ण गोपा एव हि बांधवाः गोप्यश्च सीदतः कस्मादेतान्बंधूनुपेक्षसे

atrāvatīrṇayoḥ kṛṣṇa gopā eva hi bāṁdhavāḥ gopyaśca sīdataḥ kasmādetānbaṁdhūnupekṣase

"'O Krishna, here, having descended, the cowherds and gopis alone are our kin — why do you disregard these grieving kinsfolk?'"

Verse 42 (vishnu.5.7.42)

दर्शितो मानुषो भावो दर्शितं बालचापलम् तदयं दम्यतां कृष्ण दुष्टात्मा दशनायुधः

darśito mānuṣo bhāvo darśitaṁ bālacāpalam tadayaṁ damyatāṁ kṛṣṇa duṣṭātmā daśanāyudhaḥ

"'You have shown your human role, you have shown a child's playfulness — now, Krishna, subdue this evil-souled one whose weapon is his fangs.'"

Verse 43 (vishnu.5.7.43)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इति संस्मारितः कृष्णः स्मितभिन्नोष्ठसंपुटः आस्फोट्य मोचयामास स्वदेहं भोगिबंधनात्

śrīparāśara uvāca iti saṁsmāritaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ smitabhinnoṣṭhasaṁpuṭaḥ āsphoṭya mocayāmāsa svadehaṁ bhogibaṁdhanāt

Parashara said: "Thus reminded, Krishna, his lips parting in a smile, shook himself free, releasing his body from the serpent's coiled bonds."

Verse 44 (vishnu.5.7.44)

आनम्य चापि हस्ताभ्यामुभाभ्यां मध्यमं शिरः आरुह्याभुग्नशिरसः प्रणनर्त्तोरुविक्रमः

ānamya cāpi hastābhyāmubhābhyāṁ madhyamaṁ śiraḥ āruhyābhugnaśirasaḥ praṇanarttoruvikramaḥ

"Bending down the middle hood with both hands and climbing upon it, that mighty one began to dance upon its bowed head."

Verse 45 (vishnu.5.7.45)

प्राणाः फणेऽभवंश्चास्य कृष्णस्यांघ्रिनिकुट्टनैः यत्रोन्नतिं च कुरुते ननामास्य ततश्शिरः

prāṇāḥ phaṇe'bhavaṁścāsya kṛṣṇasyāṁghrinikuṭṭanaiḥ yatronnatiṁ ca kurute nanāmāsya tataśśiraḥ

"By the trampling of Krishna's feet the serpent's life-breaths gathered into that hood; and wherever he tried to lift a head, Krishna bowed it down again."

Verse 46 (vishnu.5.7.46)

मूर्च्छामुपाययौ भ्रांत्या नागः कृष्णस्य रेचकैः दंडपातनिपातेन ववाम रुधिरं बहु

mūrcchāmupāyayau bhrāṁtyā nāgaḥ kṛṣṇasya recakaiḥ daṁḍapātanipātena vavāma rudhiraṁ bahu

"Dizzied by the whirl of Krishna's blows, the serpent fell into a swoon, and, struck as if by falling staves, vomited much blood."

Verse 47 (vishnu.5.7.47)

तं विभुग्नशिरोग्रीवमास्येभ्यस्स्रुतशोणितम् विलोक्य करुणं जग्मुस्तत्पत्न्यो मधुसूदनम्

taṁ vibhugnaśirogrīvamāsyebhyassrutaśoṇitam vilokya karuṇaṁ jagmustatpatnyo madhusūdanam

"Seeing him thus, his necks bowed low, blood streaming from his mouths, his wives, moved to compassion, went before Madhusudana."

Verse 48 (vishnu.5.7.48)

नागपत्न्य ऊचुः । ज्ञातोऽसि देवदेवेश सर्वज्ञस्त्वमनुत्तमः परं ज्योतिरचिंत्यं यत्तदंशः परमेश्वरः

nāgapatnya ūcuḥ jñāto'si devadeveśa sarvajñastvamanuttamaḥ paraṁ jyotiraciṁtyaṁ yattadaṁśaḥ parameśvaraḥ

The serpent-wives said: "We know you, O Lord of the gods of gods; you are all-knowing, unsurpassed, a portion of that supreme, inconceivable light, the Supreme Lord."

Verse 49 (vishnu.5.7.49)

न समर्थाः सुरास्स्तोतुं यमनन्यभवं विभुम् स्वरूपवर्णनं तस्य कथं योषित्करिष्यति

na samarthāḥ surāsstotuṁ yamananyabhavaṁ vibhum svarūpavarṇanaṁ tasya kathaṁ yoṣitkariṣyati

"'The gods themselves cannot praise that Lord who has no other source of being — how then shall a woman describe his true nature?'"

Verse 50 (vishnu.5.7.50)

यस्याऽखिलमहीर्व्योमजलाग्निपवनात्मकम् ब्रह्मांडमल्पकाल्पांशः स्तोष्यामस्तं कथं वयम्

yasyā'khilamahīrvyomajalāgnipavanātmakam brahmāṁḍamalpakālpāṁśaḥ stoṣyāmastaṁ kathaṁ vayam

"'He whose small portion is this entire cosmic egg made of earth, sky, water, fire, and wind — how shall we praise him?'"

Verse 51 (vishnu.5.7.51)

यमतो न विदुर्नित्यं यत्स्वरूपं हि योगिनः परमार्थमणोरल्पं स्थूलात्स्थूलं नताः स्म तम्

yamato na vidurnityaṁ yatsvarūpaṁ hi yoginaḥ paramārthamaṇoralpaṁ sthūlātsthūlaṁ natāḥ sma tam

"'Whose highest truth even the Yogis never come to know eternally — subtler than the subtle, grosser than the gross — to him we bow.'"

Verse 52 (vishnu.5.7.52)

न यस्य जन्मने धाता यस्य चांताय नांतकः स्थितिकर्त्ता न चान्योस्ति यस्य तस्मै नमस्सदा

na yasya janmane dhātā yasya cāṁtāya nāṁtakaḥ sthitikarttā na cānyosti yasya tasmai namassadā

"'He for whose birth there is no maker, for whose end there is no death, and beside whom there is no other sustainer of being — to him, salutation always.'"

Verse 53 (vishnu.5.7.53)

कोपः स्वल्पोऽपि ते नास्ति स्थितिपालनमेव ते कारणं कालियस्यास्य दमने श्रूयतां वचः

kopaḥ svalpo'pi te nāsti sthitipālanameva te kāraṇaṁ kāliyasyāsya damane śrūyatāṁ vacaḥ

"'Not the slightest anger is in you; upholding order alone is your purpose. Hear our plea concerning this Kaliya's chastisement.'"

Verse 54 (vishnu.5.7.54)

स्त्रियोनुकंप्यास्साधूनां मूढा दीनाश्च जंतवः यतस्ततोस्य दीनस्य क्षम्यतां क्षमतांवर

striyonukaṁpyāssādhūnāṁ mūḍhā dīnāśca jaṁtavaḥ yatastatosya dīnasya kṣamyatāṁ kṣamatāṁvara

"'Women, the foolish, and the wretched among creatures deserve the compassion of the good; so, best of the forbearing, forgive this wretched one.'"

Verse 55 (vishnu.5.7.55)

समस्त जगदाधारो भवानल्पबलः फणी त्वत्पादपीडितो जह्यान्मुहूर्त्तार्द्धेन जीवितम्

samasta jagadādhāro bhavānalpabalaḥ phaṇī tvatpādapīḍito jahyānmuhūrttārddhena jīvitam

"'You are the support of all the worlds, and this serpent's strength is trifling; crushed beneath your feet he will yield up his life within half a moment.'"

Verse 56 (vishnu.5.7.56)

पन्नगोल्पवीर्योऽयं क्व भवान्भुवनाश्रयः प्रीतिद्वेषौ समोत्कृष्टगोचरौ भवतोऽव्यय

pannagolpavīryo'yaṁ kva bhavānbhuvanāśrayaḥ prītidveṣau samotkṛṣṭagocarau bhavato'vyaya

"'Where is this feeble serpent, and where are you, refuge of the universe? O imperishable one, your love and your wrath fall alike on great and small.'"

Verse 57 (vishnu.5.7.57)

ततः कुरु जगत्स्वामिन्प्रसादमवसीदतः प्राणांस्त्यजति नागोऽयं भर्तृभिक्षा प्रदीयताम्

tataḥ kuru jagatsvāminprasādamavasīdataḥ prāṇāṁstyajati nāgo'yaṁ bhartṛbhikṣā pradīyatām

"'So, Lord of the world, show grace to this suffering one; this serpent is giving up his life — grant us the alms of our husband's life.'"

Verse 58 (vishnu.5.7.58)

भुवनेश जगन्नाथ महापुरुषपूर्वज प्राणांस्त्यजति नागोऽयं भर्तृभिक्षां प्रयच्छ नः

bhuvaneśa jagannātha mahāpuruṣapūrvaja prāṇāṁstyajati nāgo'yaṁ bhartṛbhikṣāṁ prayaccha naḥ

"'O Lord of the universe, Lord of the world, elder brother of the Supreme Purusha — this serpent is giving up his life; grant us the alms of our husband.'"

Verse 59 (vishnu.5.7.59)

वेदांतवेद्य देवेश दुष्टदैत्यनिबर्हण प्राणांस्त्यजति नागोऽयं भर्तृभिक्षा प्रदीयताम्

vedāṁtavedya deveśa duṣṭadaityanibarhaṇa prāṇāṁstyajati nāgo'yaṁ bhartṛbhikṣā pradīyatām

"'O one known through the Vedanta, Lord of the gods, destroyer of wicked Daityas — this serpent is giving up his life; grant us the alms of our husband.'"

Verse 60 (vishnu.5.7.60)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्युक्ते ताभिराश्वस्य क्लांतदेहोपि पन्नगः प्रसीद देवदेवेति प्राह वाक्यं शनैः शनैः

śrīparāśara uvāca ityukte tābhirāśvasya klāṁtadehopi pannagaḥ prasīda devadeveti prāha vākyaṁ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ

Parashara said: "So spoken to, the serpent, exhausted in body though he was, took heart and said, slowly, slowly: 'Be gracious, O God of gods.'"

Verse 61 (vishnu.5.7.61)

कालिय उवाच । तवाष्टगुणमैश्वर्यं नाथ स्वाभाविकं परम् निरस्तातिशयं यस्य तस्य स्तोष्यामि किन्न्वहम्

kāliya uvāca tavāṣṭaguṇamaiśvaryaṁ nātha svābhāvikaṁ param nirastātiśayaṁ yasya tasya stoṣyāmi kinnvaham

Kaliya said: "'O Lord, your eightfold majesty is innate and supreme, beyond all comparison — how then shall I praise you?'"

Verse 62 (vishnu.5.7.62)

त्वं परस्त्वं पस्याद्यः परं त्वत्तः परात्मक परस्मात्परमो यस्त्वं तस्य स्तोष्यामि किन्न्वहम्

tvaṁ parastvaṁ pasyādyaḥ paraṁ tvattaḥ parātmaka parasmātparamo yastvaṁ tasya stoṣyāmi kinnvaham

"'You are the Supreme; you are that which lies beyond even the supreme, O one of supreme nature; you who are higher than the highest — how then shall I praise you?'"

Verse 63 (vishnu.5.7.63)

यस्माद्ब्रह्मा च रुद्रश्च चंद्रेद्रं! मरुदश्विनः वसवश्च सहादित्यैस्तस्य स्तोष्यामि किन्न्वहम्

yasmādbrahmā ca rudraśca caṁdredraṁ! marudaśvinaḥ vasavaśca sahādityaistasya stoṣyāmi kinnvaham

"'He from whom Brahma, Rudra, the Moon, Indra, the Maruts, the Ashvins, and the Vasus with the Adityas all arose — how shall I praise him?'"

Verse 64 (vishnu.5.7.64)

एकावयवसूक्ष्मांशो यस्यैतदखिलं जगत् कल्पनावयवस्यांशस्तस्य स्तोष्यामि किन्न्वहम्

ekāvayavasūkṣmāṁśo yasyaitadakhilaṁ jagat kalpanāvayavasyāṁśastasya stoṣyāmi kinnvaham

"'He of whom this entire world is but a subtle fragment of a single limb, itself only a portion of some smaller conceived part — how shall I praise him?'"

Verse 65 (vishnu.5.7.65)

सदसद्रू पिणो यस्य ब्रह्माद्यास्त्रिश्श्वोराः परमार्थं न जानंति तस्य स्तोष्यामि किन्न्वहम्

sadasadrū piṇo yasya brahmādyāstriśśvorāḥ paramārthaṁ na jānaṁti tasya stoṣyāmi kinnvaham

"'He who has the nature of both being and non-being, whose ultimate reality even Brahma and the other lords of gods do not know — how shall I praise him?'"

Verse 66 (vishnu.5.7.66)

ब्रह्माद्यैरर्चिते यस्तु गंधपुष्पानुलेपनैः नंदनादिसमुद्भूतैस्सोर्च्यते वा कथं मया

brahmādyairarcite yastu gaṁdhapuṣpānulepanaiḥ naṁdanādisamudbhūtaissorcyate vā kathaṁ mayā

"'He who is worshipped by Brahma and the others with fragrance, flowers, and unguents grown in the gardens of Nandana — how then shall he be worshipped by me?'"

Verse 67 (vishnu.5.7.67)

यस्यावताररूपाणि देवराजस्सदार्च्चति न वेत्ति परमं रूपं सोऽर्च्यते वा कथं मया

yasyāvatārarūpāṇi devarājassadārccati na vetti paramaṁ rūpaṁ so'rcyate vā kathaṁ mayā

"'He whose incarnate forms the king of the gods himself constantly worships, without ever knowing his supreme form — how shall he be worshipped by me?'"

Verse 68 (vishnu.5.7.68)

विषयेभ्यस्समावृत्त्य सर्वाक्षाणि च योगिनः यमर्चयंति ध्यानेन सोऽर्च्यते वा कथं मया

viṣayebhyassamāvṛttya sarvākṣāṇi ca yoginaḥ yamarcayaṁti dhyānena so'rcyate vā kathaṁ mayā

"'He whom the Yogis, withdrawing every sense from its object, worship through meditation alone — how shall he be worshipped by me?'"

Verse 69 (vishnu.5.7.69)

[१]हृदि संकल्प्य यद्रूपं ध्यानेनार्चंति योगिनः भावपुष्पादिना नाथः सोर्च्यते वा कथं मया

[1]hṛdi saṁkalpya yadrūpaṁ dhyānenārcaṁti yoginaḥ bhāvapuṣpādinā nāthaḥ sorcyate vā kathaṁ mayā

"'The form which the Yogis, holding it in their hearts, worship through meditation with the flowers of devotion — O Lord, how shall he be worshipped by me?'"

Verse 70 (vishnu.5.7.70)

सोऽहं ते देवदेवेश नार्चनादौ स्तुतौ न च सामर्थ्यवान् कृपामात्रमनोवृत्तिः प्रसीद मे

so'haṁ te devadeveśa nārcanādau stutau na ca sāmarthyavān kṛpāmātramanovṛttiḥ prasīda me

"'I, then, Lord of the gods of gods, am unequal to your worship or your praise; let your heart's inclination be only compassion — be gracious to me.'"

Verse 71 (vishnu.5.7.71)

सर्पजातिरियं क्रुरा यस्यां जातोस्मि केशव तत्स्वभावोऽयमत्रास्ति नापराधो ममाच्युत

sarpajātiriyaṁ krurā yasyāṁ jātosmi keśava tatsvabhāvo'yamatrāsti nāparādho mamācyuta

"'O Keshava, this species of serpent into which I was born is cruel by its very nature; O Achyuta, this is that nature — no fault of mine lies in it.'"

Verse 72 (vishnu.5.7.72)

सृज्यते भवता सर्वं तथा संह्रीयते जगत् जातिरूपस्वभावाश्च सृज्यंते सृजता त्वया

sṛjyate bhavatā sarvaṁ tathā saṁhrīyate jagat jātirūpasvabhāvāśca sṛjyaṁte sṛjatā tvayā

"'All things are created by you, and by you the world is withdrawn; species, form, and nature too are created by you, the creator.'"

Verse 73 (vishnu.5.7.73)

यथाहं भवता सृष्टो जात्या रूपेण चेश्वर स्वभावेन च साधुत्वं तथेदं चेष्टितं मया

yathāhaṁ bhavatā sṛṣṭo jātyā rūpeṇa ceśvara svabhāvena ca sādhutvaṁ tathedaṁ ceṣṭitaṁ mayā

"'O Lord, just as you created me in species, in form, and in nature, so has this conduct of mine simply followed from it.'"

Verse 74 (vishnu.5.7.74)

यद्यन्यथा प्रवर्त्तेयं देवदेव ततो मयि न्याय्यो दण्डनिपातो वै तवैव वचनं यथा

yadyanyathā pravartteyaṁ devadeva tato mayi nyāyyo daṇḍanipāto vai tavaiva vacanaṁ yathā

"'O God of gods, were I to act otherwise than my nature, the falling of your punishment upon me would indeed be just, as your own word declares.'"

Verse 75 (vishnu.5.7.75)

तथाप्यज्ञे जगत्स्वामिन्दंडं पातितवान्मयि स श्लाघ्योयं दंडस्त्वत्तो मे नान्यतो वरः

tathāpyajñe jagatsvāmindaṁḍaṁ pātitavānmayi sa ślāghyoyaṁ daṁḍastvatto me nānyato varaḥ

"'Yet, Lord of the world, the punishment you have laid upon me, ignorant as I am, is itself praiseworthy — nothing better could come to me than this, your own chastisement.'"

Verse 76 (vishnu.5.7.76)

हतवीर्यो हतविषो दमितोऽहं त्वयाऽच्युत जीवितं दीयतामेकमाज्ञापय करोमि किम्

hatavīryo hataviṣo damito'haṁ tvayā'cyuta jīvitaṁ dīyatāmekamājñāpaya karomi kim

"'My strength is spent, my venom is spent, O Achyuta, you have subdued me; grant me only my life — command me, what am I to do?'"

Verse 77 (vishnu.5.7.77)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । नात्र स्थेयं त्वया सर्प कदाचिद्यमुनाजले सपुत्रपरिवारस्त्वं समुद्र सलिलं व्रज

śrībhagavānuvāca nātra stheyaṁ tvayā sarpa kadācidyamunājale saputraparivārastvaṁ samudra salilaṁ vraja

The Lord said: "O serpent, you shall never again dwell in these waters of the Yamuna; go, with your sons and household, to the waters of the ocean."

Verse 78 (vishnu.5.7.78)

मत्पदानि च ते सर्प दृष्ट्वा मूर्द्धनि सागरे गरुडः पन्नगरिपुस्त्वयि न प्रहरिष्यति

matpadāni ca te sarpa dṛṣṭvā mūrddhani sāgare garuḍaḥ pannagaripustvayi na prahariṣyati

"'And, O serpent, seeing my footprints upon your head, Garuda, the enemy of serpents, will not strike at you in the ocean.'"

Verse 79 (vishnu.5.7.79)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा सर्पराजं तं मुमोच भगवान्हरिः प्रणम्य सोपि कुष्णाय जगाम पयसां निधिम्

śrīparāśara uvāca ityuktvā sarparājaṁ taṁ mumoca bhagavānhariḥ praṇamya sopi kuṣṇāya jagāma payasāṁ nidhim

Parashara said: "Having said this, Lord Hari released that serpent-king; and he, bowing to Krishna, set off for the abode of the waters."

Verse 80 (vishnu.5.7.80)

पश्यतां सर्वभूतानां सभृत्यसुतबांधवः समस्तभार्यासहितः परित्यज्य स्वकं ह्रदम्

paśyatāṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ sabhṛtyasutabāṁdhavaḥ samastabhāryāsahitaḥ parityajya svakaṁ hradam

"— before the eyes of all beings, together with his servants, sons, kinsmen, and all his wives, forsaking his own pool."

Verse 81 (vishnu.5.7.81)

गते सर्पे परिष्वज्य मृतं पुनरिवागतम् गोपा मूर्द्धनि हार्देन सिषिचुर्नेत्रजैर्जलैः

gate sarpe pariṣvajya mṛtaṁ punarivāgatam gopā mūrddhani hārdena siṣicurnetrajairjalaiḥ

"When the serpent had gone, the cowherds, embracing him as though he had returned from death, drenched his head with the water of their loving tears."

Verse 82 (vishnu.5.7.82)

कृष्णमक्लिष्टकर्माणमन्ये विस्मितचेतसः तुष्टुवुर्मुदिता गोपा दृष्ट्वा शिवजलां नदीम्

kṛṣṇamakliṣṭakarmāṇamanye vismitacetasaḥ tuṣṭuvurmuditā gopā dṛṣṭvā śivajalāṁ nadīm

"Others, hearts full of wonder, joyfully praised Krishna of untiring deeds, rejoicing to see the river's waters made pure once more."

Verse 83 (vishnu.5.7.83)

गीयमानः स गोपीभिश्चारितैस्साधुचेष्टितैः संस्तूयमानो गोपैश्च कृष्णो व्रजमुपागमत्

gīyamānaḥ sa gopībhiścāritaissādhuceṣṭitaiḥ saṁstūyamāno gopaiśca kṛṣṇo vrajamupāgamat

Krishna, his good deeds sung by the gopis and himself praised by the cowherds, then returned to Vraja.