Study a Verse

• Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura comments as follows on this verse: “The word adbhuta-karmaṇā indicates the Lord’s wonderful activities of saving the residents of Vṛndāvana from Kāliya, saving Kāliya himself from Garuḍa, and bestowing grace upon both the victims of violence and the committer of that violence.”
• The word kṛṣṇena, “by Kṛṣṇa,” indicates that because Kāliya’s wives were great devotees of the Lord and offered Him loving affection, Kṛṣṇa withdrew (karṣaṇam) both Kāliya’s offense against the Lord’s devotee Garuḍa and that against the residents of Vṛndāvana, who were very dear to Him.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Peril and pride → Friendship and humility. Divinity is revealed amid intimate childhood play.

Chapters 12–19 of Canto 10: Childhood dangers and Brahmā's amazement. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Today he has borne upon his head the dust of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, the attainment of which is difficult for even the mother of the universe, the goddess Lakṣmī. Please kindly forgive the offense Kāliya has committed out of ignorance, and allow him to live.”