Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.16.25
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa’s Transcendental Agility Defeats Kāliya
“Again and again Kāliya licked his lips with his bifurcated tongues as He stared at Kṛṣṇa with a glance full of terrible, poisonous fire. But Kṛṣṇa playfully circled around him, just as Garuḍa would play with a snake. In response, Kāliya also moved about, looking for an opportunity to bite the Lord.”
What the purport teaches
- Kāliya stared at Kṛṣṇa with a terrible, poisonous glance and repeatedly licked his lips.
- Kṛṣṇa playfully circled the serpent, just as Garuḍa would play with a snake.
- The Lord moved so skillfully that Kāliya found no opportunity to bite Him. The serpent was defeated by Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental agility.
Try this today
Read this verse slowly once, focusing on Kṛṣṇa’s effortless skill rather than the serpent’s threats.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s playful skill contrast with Kāliya’s hostile effort?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.