Snake Dance

 

Once, Lord Krishna and his cowherd friends were herding their cattle in the forest. Balarama did not join them this time. (It is important to mention this, as Balarama is an incarnation of Adishesha and Lord Krishna kills a serpent, Kaliya in this story). Soon, they became thirsty. When the cattle drank the water, they immediately fell unconscious. The cowherd boys told Krishna that a poisonous snake named Kaliya lived in that area and had poisoned the water. Krishna became furious and immediately jumped into the water. Then Kaliya came out of the water and coiled Krishna. The cowherd boys were alarmed at this and called the elders of the village. When Nanda and Yashoda (Krishna's foster parents) saw Krishna in this state, they were traumatized and decided to jump into the river. But, the others stopped them from doing this. Meanwhile, Krishna increased his size and was released from the coils of the snake. Krishna soon climbed the hood of the snake and started to dance! The people of the village were bewildered at this sight! Kaliya became weak with every step of Krishna and fainted. Soon, the wives and children of Kaliya asked Krishna to forgive Kaliya. Krishna forgave Kaliya and asked him to change his abode. Kaliya agreed and left the river. The water immediately became clean and pure. The villagers returned home happily.