Shri Bhaagavat Mahapuraan records many of the ‘leelas’ (activities) of the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Among the more well-known episodes are the transcendental pastimes of Shri Krishna, which conjure up scenes of ecstasy, wonder and propels man towards an intense resolve to develop the qualities necessary to experience the closeness of Bhagavan. The story of how the Kaalindi Pond was purified is one such incident.
The Kaalindi pond was a favourite recreational spot for the children of Vraj and indeed, for all the villagers. However, the serpent Kaalia, together with other deadly snakes, made this pond their abode; sea creatures, nearby birds, trees and plants were unable to survive the strong poisonous fumes that emanated from the snakes there.
Realising their distress, Shri Krishna, who was just a young boy at this time, implemented a plan to restore peace to the Vraj residents. Diving into the black waters of the pond in an effort to retrieve a ball, the Lord appeared before Kaalia, who was enraged that someone had trespassed on its property. Kaalia confronted Shri Krishna and attacked Him by coiling tightly around Him, attempting to squeeze the life out of Him. Releasing Himself from the hold of the snake Shri Krishna stood on its head, dancing on it until it recognised the power of the One before it. Kaalia submitted unconditionally before the Lord and explained that it was avoiding the eagle Garud and hence the reason for inhabiting the Kaalindi pond.
Smiling, Shri Krishna explained that Garud was His vehicle and, by dancing on Kaalia’s head, He had imprinted the sign of Divinity on it. As such, there should no longer be any fear of Garud. On the Lord’s advice, Kaalia and its family of snakes immediately left, but not before praising the Lord for granting them ‘darshan’. The Kaalindi pond was purified and the villagers were left in awe that Shri Krishna had once again championed their cause.
More than a mere story, this ‘leela’ is ripe with significance as it relates to each individual:
1. Kaalia represents the individual ego.
2. The Kaalindi pond symbolises the pond of the mind where the individual ego resides.
3. The imprint of Garud is action done with dispassion and discrimination, propelled by devotion.
4. Dancing on the head of Kaalia is the process of transforming the individual ego into the Cosmic ego.
This ‘leela’ of Shri Krishna instructs us that the ‘karma’ or actions we perform must be done selflessly, that is, with dispassion and discrimination. Of course, the important ingredient of ‘bhakti’ or devotion is necessary. As we journey through life in this manner, our individual ego would be transformed into the Cosmic Ego, purification of the mind takes place and, like Kaalia, we would most certainly have the ‘darshan’ of the Lord.
