In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Kaliya-ghata, where Lord Krsna jumped from a big kadamba tree (which still stands here) into the Yamuna River, which once used to flow here. It was here that Krsna then chastised and danced on the hoods of Kaliya. Check out Maharaja’s full lecture below, along with a few photos, at Kaliya-ghata during Parikrama 2018.
Kaliya was getting tired of being kicked. Not only was Krsna’s dancing on the hoods of Kaliya very elegant and beautiful, but He was also kicking Kaliya on the head at the same time and He was kicking hard. It was during the dancing that Krsna bowed down and invited the gopis, “Come and please dance with Me,” and they had a whole rasa dance on the hoods of Kaliya! Krsna eventually said, “My dear Kaliya, you cannot stay here in the Yamuna because your poison killed all my friends and all the calves and we cannot really have that in Vrndavana, so you will have to go back to your kingdom. But do not worry. My footprints are now on your head and therefore Garuda will not touch you.” So in that way, Kaliya returned to Ramanaka.
When we look at this pastime, we can look at many aspects. One aspect is how kind Krsna is. Krsna is not just a person who has friends and enemies but rather, He is the well-wisher of all. Krsna benedicts even those who act inimical to Him. Ultimately, Krsna is kind; He was kind to Putana and He was kind to Kaliya. Krsna is merciful and even demoniac personalities get His mercy. What to speak of His devotees? With this pastime, we can appreciate Krsna’s merciful nature and the way Krsna deals with everyone – respectfully. Even with a lowly, poisonous, envious creature, Krsna was still respectful. Both by Krsna’s kicks and His association, Kaliya was purified and became a devotee.
Read more: https://www.kksblog.com/2020/11/eparikrama-2020-day-19-kaliya-ghata/
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