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Life in Vrindavan

Days passed by. Child Krishna grew into most loving and attractive boy of about six or seven years of age. Playful and joyful he pleased everyone, including the elders as well as the young. He was very naughty and stole butter and cheese from nearby houses. With sham anger Gopis, milkmaids and friends of Yashoda, used to complain to her about the troubles that the boy made them suffer. But the real reason of coming to Yashoda's house was to have a look at the most loving Krishna, or Kishan as most called the boy.

Joy of Yashoda and Nandalal knew no bounds. However, dismayed and worried at the frequent attacks on the life of Krishna at Gokul by the demons, they decided to shift their clan to nearby safer Vrindavan. Thus, at about the age of six Krishna with his elder brother Balaram (Balaram was the son of Nandalal from his second wife Rohini) left Gokul for Vrindavan where many more Lilas were enacted. Both the children enjoyed the forests and trees, and swimming in the clean waters of Jamuna. Moreover, they were now permitted to tend cows to the forest for grazing, although mostly it was Krishna who went on this errand, Balaram rarely did so. Here, in calm and serene atmosphere on the banks of Jamuna, many village boys became his friends and they were engaged in variety of plays, games, and sports.

Kaliya Mardan (taming of poisonous snake Kaliya)

One day all the boys were playing the game of throwing ball. To avoid the hit, the boys ran hither and thither. On one occasion when the game was in full swing and at its climax, the ball fell into in the river Jamuna at one particular spot where a deadly water serpent lived. This caused lots of disappointment in the boys. Hence Sri Krishna decided to bring it. He was preparing to jump in the river when one of his friends shouted, 'Gopal, do not go into those waters, for there lives a dangerous and most poisonous snake with his family who kills everyone going near him. The ball is probably in that area and it would be totally unsafe fro you to attempt to fetch it.'

It so happened that from the fear of Eagle Garuda this snake family had ran away from the sea and taken shelter in the safe waters of Jamuna. But the poison emanating from them had killed many a man and woman, so also innumerable cows and animals. Sri Krishna knew about this and it was a part of his plan to kill that snake known as Kaliya. Therefore, not heeding to warning of his friends, he jumped into the river.

Going deep in search of ball as well as the deadly Kaliya, Krishna heard the hissing at a distance. Alarmed and cautious he looked for the enemy and soon found the black serpent approaching him. The serpent had innumerable fangs in many mouths. Soon Sri Krishna and the snake were engaged in the bitterest fight. The Lord was agile and did not allow any fang to touch him, but at the same time showered blows on the head of the snake one after the other. Angered and hurt the serpent fumed and poured all the venom on the child, but of no avail. The serpent was vanquished once for all. Taming the serpent, baby Krishna climbed on the huge hood of the snake and came up above the water level. Here he enacted the most ecstatic, rhythmic and graceful, dance. The worried friends on the bank were surprised at this unusual victory of their friend, and started shouting 'Glory unto Sri Krishna, Glory unto Sri Krishna!"

Soon the news spread to the hutments in the village and people flocked to see this unusual sight. Worried and terrified, Ma Yashoda came rushing praying to the Lord to keep her Krishna safe. Beauty of the blue bodied, wearing yellow silk cloth, radiant and all graceful Krishna is described in most beautiful way in Bhagavata (Holy Book of Vaishnava). The ladies of serpent family showered praise and prayed to Krishna to pardon their husband Kaliya. They pleaded 'O Lord, because of evil deeds of our past lives, you and your Maya Power has given us poison and nothing else. What could we do to worship you! In your worship also we eject and vomit poison, O Lord save us from such drudgery. Do not kill Kaliya."

Heart of all-merciful Lord melted at the praise and pleas of the creatures, and he ordered them to leave Jamuna and shift their residence elsewhere. On this condition alone the Lord spared the life of Kaliya. Thus, the great danger to the people of Vrindavan and pollution of the river came to an end.

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