Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 10, Chapters: 17-19
King Parikshit asks Shukdevji, “Why did the serpent Kaliya abandon Ramanak Island, the dwelling place of the Nagas? And what offence had he committed against Garudji that he was left to live alone?”
Shukdevji replies that long ago, there was a rule meant for Garudji. Every month, beneath a fixed tree, a serpent was to be offered to him. Following this rule, on every new-moon day (Amavasya), the snakes would present one of their own to Garudji to save themselves. Among these serpents was Kaliya, the son of Kadru. Intoxicated by the pride of his venom and strength, Kaliya grew arrogant. He insulted Garudji. Not only did he refuse to offer himself as a sacrifice, but he would also devour the other snakes who went to be offered to Garudji.
Hearing this, Garudji, the beloved servant of Bhagwan, was filled with rage. He resolved to kill Kaliya and swooped down upon him at great speed. When the venomous Kaliya saw Garudji rushing towards him with full force, he spread his one hundred and one hoods and lunged forward to strike. He had no weapon other than his fangs, and so he attacked Garudji with his bites. His terrifying tongues flickered, his breath grew rapid, and his eyes appeared exceedingly fearsome.
Garudji is the divine carrier of Vishnu Bhagwan, endowed with immeasurable strength and valour. Seeing Kaliya’s audacity, his anger flared even more. He flung Kaliya violently away from his body and struck him powerfully with his golden left wing. The blow from Garudji’s wing grievously wounded Kaliya. Panic-stricken, Kaliya fled and hid in a deep pool of Yamunaji, a place inaccessible to Garudji and so deep that no other beings could enter it.
It was in this very pool that once, despite being forbidden by the ascetic Saubhari Muni, Garudji forcibly caught and ate a fish of his liking. When their leader, the king of the fish, was killed, the fish suffered immensely. Seeing their pitiful condition, Maharshi Saubhari was moved with compassion and cursed Garudji for the welfare of all beings living in that pool, “If Garud ever again enters this pool to eat the fish, he shall lose his life that very moment.”
This curse of Maharshi Saubhari was known only to Kaliya among the serpents. Therefore, out of fear of Garudji, Kaliya lived in that pool. Now, however, Bhagwan Shree Krishna freed him from fear and sent him away from there to Ramanak Island.
Meanwhile, Bhagwan Shree Krishna emerged from the pool, adorned with divine garlands, fragrances, garments, precious jewels, and golden ornaments. The moment the people of Braj saw Him, they sprang to life, just as the senses awaken when life returns to the body. The gopas overflowed with joy and embraced their beloved Kanhaiya with love. Yashoda Maiya, Rohini Maiya, Nandbaba, the gopas and gopis all regained their senses on seeing Krishna safe. Balaramji, who always knew Bhagwan’s greatness, embraced Krishna and laughed joyfully. The mountains, trees, cows, bulls, and calves all rejoiced.
The Brahmin priests, the family gurus of the gopa, came with their wives to Nandbaba and said, “Nandji, your child has returned alive from the jaws of Kaliya. This is an extraordinary blessing. On this auspicious occasion, give charity to the Brahmins.” Hearing this, Nandbaba was overjoyed and donated large amounts of gold and cows. Most fortunate Yashoda maiya held her child, saved from death, close to her heart. Tears of joy flowed again and again from her eyes.
That day, the people of Braj and the cows were exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. So they did not return to Braj at night and instead slept on the banks of the Yamunaji. It was summer, and the forest was dry. At midnight, a fire broke out in the forest, surrounding the sleeping Brajvasis from all sides.
Terrified by the flames' heat, everyone woke up and sought refuge in Bhagwan Shree Krishna. They cried out, “Beloved Krishna, Shyamsundar, mighty Balaram, you both are infinitely powerful. This dreadful fire has come to consume our loved ones. We are yours, so protect us from it. We do not fear death, but we cannot abandon your association.”
When Bhagwan Shree Krishna saw His people in such distress, He drank in that terrifying fire.
Shukdevji says that surrounded by His loved ones, Krishna returned to the cowshed. Taking the form of a cowherd boy, He continued His childhood pastimes in Braj with Balaramji. It was the summer season, which usually causes suffering to living beings, yet Vrindavan always appeared like eternal spring, for Krishna and Balaramji dwelt there. Seeing the beauty of those forests, Krishna and Balaram desired to roam and play there. The cows walked ahead, the cowherd boys followed behind, and in the middle walked Krishna, playing His flute, alongside Balaram.
Even the devata would assume the forms of cowherd boys and come there to praise Krishna and Balaram. Sometimes Krishna and Balaram strolled hand in hand, sometimes they leapt high, sometimes they played tug-of-war or wrestled. Sometimes they sang, sometimes they praised others. Sometimes they played hide-and-seek, sometimes they raced, sometimes they mimicked animals and birds. Thus, in the rivers, mountains, forests, and lakes of Vrindavan, they played all the games that ordinary children play.
When an Asura Came as a Friend: The Slaying of Pralambasur
One day, while Shree Krishna and Balaram were grazing the cows with the cowherd boys, an asura named Pralamba arrived, disguised as one of the gopa boys. He intended to abduct Shree Krishna and Balaram. Shree Krishna knew everything. He recognised him at once, yet accepted his friendship and quietly began to think of a way to slay him.
Shree Krishna then organised a game and divided everyone into two teams, one belonging to Himself and the other to Balaram. The rule of the game was that the losing side would have to carry the winners on their backs to a fixed destination. Pralamba joined Shree Krishna’s team.
In the game, Balaramji’s team emerged victorious. Therefore, the boys of Shree Krishna’s team had to carry them. Shree Krishna carried Shridama, Bhadrasen carried Vrishabh, and Pralamba lifted Balaramji onto his shoulders. Pralamba thought that Shree Krishna was extremely powerful, so he decided to flee with Balaramji instead. He ran beyond the appointed place. However, Balaramji was as heavy as a mountain. Pralamba could not go very far before revealing his terrifying asura form. His body turned black, his eyes blazed like fire, his fangs looked dreadful, his hair flew wildly, and he rose into the sky.
For a moment, Balaramji was astonished. Then He remembered His true nature. Filled with anger, He struck Pralambasur on the head with a mighty blow. In that very instant, Pralambasur’s head was crushed. Spitting blood and uttering a dreadful cry, he fell to the earth and died.
Seeing this, the cowherd boys were amazed. Crying “Well done! Well done!”, they praised Balaramji, embraced Him, and offered auspicious wishes. When Pralambasur was slain, the devata showered flowers from the heavens and glorified Balaramji with hymns of praise.
Shree Krishna Protects the Gopa and the Cows from the Forest Fire
Shukdevji tells Parikshit that at that time, the cowherd boys became so absorbed in their games that their cows wandered off freely and went very far away. Attracted by lush green grass, they entered a dense forest. Cows, goats, and buffalo moved from one forest to another, going farther and farther. Because of the intense heat, they became extremely tired and distressed by thirst. Finally, they lowered their voices and entered Munjatavi, a forest thick with reeds and tall grass.
When Shree Krishna, Balaram, and the cowherd boys noticed that their animals were nowhere to be seen, they regretted their carelessness during their play. They searched everywhere but found no trace of the cows.
The cows were the lifeline of the people of Braj. When they were not found, all the cowherd boys became anxious. Following the hoofprints on the ground and the marks of teeth on the grass, they moved ahead. At last, they saw their cows wandering helplessly and lowing in Munjatavi. On seeing them, the boys tried to bring them back, but both the boys and the animals were utterly exhausted and tormented by thirst.
Seeing the condition of the cowherd boys and the cows, Bhagwan Shree Krishna called out to the cows by name in His deep yet gentle voice. At the sound of their names, the cows were filled with joy and began to respond with loud calls.
While Bhagwan was still calling the cows, suddenly a terrifying forest fire broke out on all sides. Fierce winds began to blow, spreading the flames rapidly. Towering tongues of fire rose everywhere and began to scorch all living beings.
When the cowherd boys and the cows saw the fire advancing toward them from every direction, they were struck with fear. Just as a frightened being seeks refuge in Bhagwan, they all took shelter of Shree Krishna and Balaramji.
In great distress, they cried out, “Mighty Shree Krishna, dear Kanhaiya, powerful Balaram! We have taken refuge in You. This fire is coming to burn us. Protect us, Shyamsundar. Those who belong to You should never suffer. You alone are our protector. We place our trust in You alone.”
Hearing the helpless words of His dear cowherd friends, Bhagwan Shree Krishna said, “Do not be afraid. All of you close your eyes.”
Obeying Bhagwan’s command, the cowherd boys said, “Very well,” and closed their eyes. Then Yogeshwar Bhagwan Shree Krishna drank in that terrible fire with His mouth and saved everyone from the great danger. After some time, when the boys opened their eyes, they found themselves near Bhandir Vat. Seeing themselves and their cows completely safe, they were filled with amazement.
Witnessing this extraordinary power of Shree Krishna and His protection from the forest fire, the cowherd boys inwardly accepted that Shree Krishna was not an ordinary child, but a devata. As evening approached, Bhagwan Shree Krishna, accompanied by Balaramji, began to play His flute as He brought the cows back toward Braj. As they walked, the cowherd boys continued to sing His praises. Meanwhile, in Braj, every moment without Shree Krishna felt like hundreds of yugs to the gopis. When Shree Krishna returned, and they beheld Him, they were immersed in supreme joy.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 19.12.2025
