Srimad Bhagavatam says that when Krishna danced on the snake’s hood, He crushed each proudly raised head of the snake, who had a total of one hundred heads! Kaliya fainted, but when he came out of the faint, he began again to spit venom and his eyes showed his anger. Again, Krishna danced on his heads, until the snake no longer raised its heads. At that time, Krishna looked like the Supreme One resting on His serpent bed, and this was not surprising, for He is indeed the Supreme One, incarnated for performing such wondrous acts. Kaliya’s wives surrendered to the Lord and praised Him, said Kidambi Narayanan, in a discourse.
They said, “You are the Parabrahma, and Your qualities are infinite. You are not limited by time. You are the embodiment of Time. You are all pervading, and therefore, You are present in every jivatma. When there are people who deny the scriptures, and question everything, You appear before them in a manner that will eventually convince them of Your Supremacy. You are the One known through the Sastras. You are also the One who gave us the Sastras. You are the One who gives the results for worldly actions, and also grants moksha. Jivatmas are caught in samsara, and You wonder if there is even some small merit on their part, which will enable You to save them. You look for some reason to save everyone on this earth. Spare our husband’s life. And get rid of his arrogance.” The request to kill Kaliya’s arrogance, reminds one of Andal’s pasuram, where she says varuthamum theerndu. It is not enough to be merely rid of sorrow. Happiness is one step above this state. A sick man may be cured, but will be happy only when he goes back to normal life. In Kaliya’s case, happiness can result only if his pride is driven away, and that is what is being prayed for.
