Krishna and Kaliya

Once the waters of river Yamuna were poisoned by Kaliya. Kaliya with his thousand hoods polluted the entire area around the river.

When the cows and calves went to drink water, they fell down unconscious. The news reached Krishna while he was in the Vrindavan forests. Krishna rushed to the banks of the river Yamuna and climbed up the Kadamba tree near by and jumped in the midst of the poisonous lake. Kaliya emerged with anger and entwined his tail around Krishna. But Krihna freed himself from the snake’s grip and placed his feet on the raised hoods o the snake. Krishna danced and trampled over all the hunderd hoods. The wives of Kaliya prayed to Krishna to spare the life of their husband. Krishna ordered Kaliya to vacate the river Yamuna. Kalia left the place along with his wives and never returned. The river became safe for the calves and cows.