Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 16:21-28

Book 10: Sixteenth Chapter (First Half)

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 16: Verses 21-28

Holding in check Yasoda (Sri Krsna's mother)-who had followed her Child into the stream-and shedding tears of grief, equally pained as they were, they recounted the stories of Sri Krsna (the Beloved of Vraja) and (eventually) stood as though dead, with their eyes riveted on the countenance of Sri Krsna. Perceiving Nanda and others-whose very life was Sri Krsna- proceeding to enter that pool, the aforesaid Lord Balarama, who knew the greatness of Sri Krsna, stopped them. Thus finding the inhabitants of His Gokula exclusively dependent on Him and perceiving them along with their womenfolk and children sore distressed for His sake, Sri Krsna (who was following the ways of mortals) continued in that state (entrapped in the coils of the snake) for about an hour and (then) escaped from the bondage of the serpent by expanding His body. The serpent, whose own body was feeling oppressed by the expanding person of Sri Krsna, (now) left Him and, holding up its hoods in a rage, stood hissing and breathing out poison through its nostrils and staring at Him with its eyes motionless and burning as a frying pan and emitting flames through its mouths.
In a sportive mood Sri Krsna, like Garuda (the king of the birds), wheeled round the snake, that was licking both the corners of its mouths with its forked tongues and was emitting a most terrible fire of poison through its glances; and the serpent too went round waiting for an opportunity (to bite Him). (Bending (with His hands) the serpent, whose energy had been spent through its whirling motion, yet whose heads continued to be uplifted, Sri Krsna (the most ancient Person), the first Teacher of all arts, leapt on its broad hoods and began to dance, His lotus-feet turning crimson due to their contact with the multitudes of jewels on its hoods. Perceiving Him intent on dancing on that occasion, Gandharvas, Siddhas, gods, Caranas and Apsaras, who were (all) His servants, lovingly approached Him all of a sudden with clay tomtoms, tabors and large drums, musical instruments and songs, flowers and other offerings and songs of praise. The Lord, who wielded (on this occasion) a severe rod of punishment, crushed under the tread of His feet whichever hood of the serpent-that had a hundred prominent heads and which kept on wheeling even though its life-energy had almost been spent-would not bend, O dear king, ejecting deadly blood (mixed with poison) through its mouth and nostrils, the cobra fell into a deep swoon.

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