Kaliya

Kaliya is a naga (serpent) figure in Hindu mythology, often described as the king of serpents. In traditional accounts, he resides in the Yamuna River near Vrindavan and is said to have polluted the water with venom, terrorizing villagers and animals who drank from or traveled through the river.

The most well-known episode involving Kaliya appears in the childhood tales of Krishna. According to the narratives, Krishna enters the Yamuna to rescue the people and animals from Kaliya’s harmful influence. He confronts the serpent and subdues him by dancing on Kaliya’s multiple heads. The encounter is depicted as a display of divine power and control over chaos, with Krishna’s associates and the river itself bearing witness.

After defeating or restraining Kaliya, Krishna admonishes the serpent and bargains for mercy. He orders Kaliya to leave the Yamuna and reside elsewhere, warning him not to pollute the river again. In many versions, Kaliya accepts and withdraws, with the other serpents and river beings praising Krishna. The episode is often interpreted symbolically as the triumph of divine order over danger and chaos and is a common subject in Hindu art, temple reliefs, and devotional literature.

In cultural usage, Kaliya is primarily associated with Krishna’s Vrindavan pastimes and is referenced in various Puranas, religious songs, and performances. The name is distinct from, though sometimes confused with, the goddess Kali due to phonetic similarity.