that you live!" was his message this time, and immediately on the surface of the lake they could see the peacock's feather on Krishna's crown. Again and again they saw it. For He was standing now on the serpent's head. Then He danced lightly on his neck till all the heads, save one, hung broken and powerless, and the great snake Kaliya was to be feared no more.
At this point the wives and children of the serpent lord intervened and ranged themselves before Krishna, begging Him to spare the life of His enemy. They implored Him and worshipped Him, and pleaded so well, that at last He said, "Let it then be even so I Do thou, O Kaliya, with thy one head, depart with all these thy kin- dred and thy subjects unto the ocean 1 Thou art banished for ever from this lake, whose sweet waters thou shalt defile no longer. Yet, out of My pity, do I grant thy life!"
Then Kaliya, bruised and trembling, answered, "Alas, O Lord, as I depart unto the ocean, that bird of Thine will see me. And what Thou hast spared he will assuredly destroy!"
Then answered Krishna gently, " Nay, My friend I When the Eagle sees My footprint on thy head he will bid thee go in peace ! "
And so the Lord, having conquered the hundred-headed, returned to the shore, and ever after were the waters of that lake sweet as nectar.
