Sages & Others

Kaliya

कालिय

Serpent of the Yamuna

Who was Kaliya?

Kaliya (कालिय): Serpent of the Yamuna, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. The many-hooded naga whose venom poisoned the Yamuna until the boy Krishna danced upon his hoods and banished him, sparing him for his wives' prayers.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Kaliya
Sanskrit nameकालिय
Title / EpithetSerpent of the Yamuna
FactionSages & Others
Key traitsvenomous, proud, humbled
Featured in1 story

About Kaliya

The many-hooded naga whose venom poisoned the Yamuna until the boy Krishna danced upon his hoods and banished him, sparing him for his wives' prayers.

In Their Words

Your feet upon my head are a crown I did not seek.

Kaliya

Traits

  • venomous
  • proud
  • humbled

Story Appearances

Places in Kaliya's Story

Drawn from the story Kaliya appears in.

Others counted among the Sages & Others.