In a deep bend of the river Yamuna lived Kaliya, a many-hooded serpent whose venom had poisoned the water and the air for miles around. Birds fell from the sky, and no cow dared drink from the river.
One day, Krishna’s ball rolled into the poisoned waters. Without fear, the boy climbed a Kadamba tree and leapt straight into the river. Kaliya rose in fury, coiling his great body around the child.
The dance upon the hoods
But Krishna expanded Himself, slipping free, and began to dance upon the serpent’s many heads — His footsteps falling like thunder, subduing each hood in turn. The wives of Kaliya rose from the water, folding their hands, praying for mercy.
“Go now to the great ocean, Kaliya, and harm Vrindavan no more — My footprints upon your hoods shall keep you safe.”
Krishna spared the serpent and sent him away. The Yamuna ran pure once more, and the people rejoiced — for the Lord had cleansed not only the river, but the poison of pride itself.