Krishnanadalahari-yadhavabhyadhaya od Vedantadesika

[Guest guest]

Kaliyamardana

 

After a brief mention of the killing of Denuka and Pralamba Desika starts relating the episode of kAliya.

 

once Krishna was away from Balarama and went to a hitherto unseen spot on Yamuna. He saw that the part of the river there was made black with the poison of Kaliya. He climbed on a kadhamba tree on the bank which remained kAshTamAthram, a bare branch because hte leavs were burnt with the vapours of the poison. At the touch of the feet of Krishna the tree sprouted and blossomed.Krishna jumped into the pool of water like the manthra mountain into the milky ocean and all the snakes except kaliya left the place and went to the sea out of fear on seeing Krishna jumping in with anger like the Garuda himself.tehnL kaliy rose with a fierce form and entwined the body of Krishna who pushed him aside and jumped on one of his hoods.

 

Desika describes Krishna on the hood of Kaliya thus:

 

sadhyO mahaneelamayeem mukundhah

sapadhmarAgAmiva padha peeteem

krAman phaNAn kAliyapannagasya

grasthOdhithO bhAnurivbhabhAsE

 

Krishna stepping on the hood pf Kaliya which looked like his footrest made of blue sapphire studded with ruby wiht the red eyes of Kaliya on his black hood.Krishna shone like the sun rising while being grasped by Rahu.

 

When Krishna started dancing on the hoods of Kaliya it reminded of His subduing the five indhriyas of His devotees extricating the poison of the sensual desires. The underlying implication of these words is that when the mind, instead of being under the sway of the five senses, climbs over them and dances with the ecstasy of the love for the Lord, the senses like KAliya are subdued and leave the mind in peace.This can be done only when the Lord takes possession of the mind.

 

The dance of Krishna on KAliya, the KAliyanarthana, was performed on the head of Kaliya as the stage and the sound of the waces of Yamuna served as the play of Mridhanga. He looked as though he is everywhere like the moon reflected in the waves.Desika refers to Him as Ananthain to indicate that there is no antha, end for the dance of the Lord.

 

When Kaliya could not endure it any longer his wives came out and entreated Krishna to show mercy at which Krishna relented and gave him reprieve. Devas expressed their joy on seeing the wonderful dance of Krishna and Kaliya also praised him along with his wives.The sloka describing this is beautiful, being full of yamaka, alliteration like 'leelApathncharaNaleelAhathiksharitha hAlAhal nijaphaNe,'etc.

 

KAliya was given refuge by Krishna who sent him to the sea asuring him that Garuda will not harm him as his heads are stamped with the sign of the feet of the Lord. Thus Yamuna was freed of the poison of KAliya and because of the contact of the body of Krishna became even more glorified than the ganga who had the only merit that she sprung from the feet of the Lord. Desika says that KAliya reached the place where the Lord has his yoganidra, namely the sea thus the Lord has given place for KAliya in His own abode. Such is the mercy of the Lord to those who surrender to Him.

 

End of fourth chapter of Yadhavabhyudhaya