To purge the river, Krishna got upon a Kadamba tree and jumped into the pool of water. Kâliya fiercely attacked him and stung him to the quick. The serpent then twined round Krishna. The cows wept, the Gopa boys became senseless. There were evil portents in Vrindâvana. Nanda and other Gopas came out in search of Krishna. They saw him in the grasp of the powerful serpent and made loud wailings. A moment after, seeing how they all grieved for him, Krishna eluded the grasp of the serpent and moved dancing round him. The serpent, somewhat fatigued, also kept moving with its overspread hoods, fixing its looks on Krishna. Krishna then got upon the hoods one thousand in number, one hundred being the chief, and danced on them putting down the hood that tried to raise itself. It was a lovely sight and the Devas sang in joy and rained flowers. The serpent king was overpowered. He vomited blood. His body was broken. In his heart of hearts, he sought the protection of Nârâyana. The serpent girls also glorified Krishna and prayed for their husband’s life. Krishna said: — "Go hence O serpent, dwell in the sea. Men and cows shall use the water of the river. You left Râmanaka Dvipa for fear of Garuda. But now as your heads bear the marks of my feet, Garuda shall not touch you." Kâliya left the Yamunâ with his wives and the water of that river has been pure ever since. The people of Vrindâvana embraced Krishna and shed tears of joy. They were all so much put out that they stopped that night on the river bank. At midnight, a fire broke out from a castor plantation and it surrounded the people on all sides. The Gopas and Gopis cried out: "O Krishna, O Râma, we are yours. Krishna! Save us from this fire. We are not afraid of our lives, but it will pain us to part from Thy feet." Krishna ate up the whole fire. PRALAMBA. *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 18.* It was summer. But Vrindâvana was cool with its shade, its water-spouts and its river. Râma and Krishna were tending the cattle with their companions. An Asura named Pralamba disguised himself as a Gopa boy and mixed with the other boys. The All-knowing Krishna found him but he feigned friendship, with the object of killing the Asura. Krishna proposed two parties for play. The defeated party had to carry the members of the victorious party on their backs. Krishna became the leader of one party and Râma that of the other. The party of Krishna were routed near the Bhândiraka forest. Krishna carried Srîdâmana on his back, Bhadrasena carried Vrishabha and Pralamba carried Balarâma. Pralamba ran with Balarâma beyond the mark. Balarâma suspected something evil. Then composing himself, he hit a blow on the head of the Asura and Pralamba lay down dead. THE FOREST CONFLAGRATION. *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 19.*