Shloka 32
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
ततोऽग्निरुत्थित: कुण्डान्मूर्तिमानतिभीषण: । तप्तताम्रशिखाश्मश्रुरङ्गारोद्गारिलोचन: ॥ ३२ ॥ दंष्ट्रोग्रभ्रुकुटीदण्डकठोरास्य: स्वजिह्वया । आलिहन् सृक्वणी नग्नो विधुन्वंस्त्रिशिखं ज्वलत् ॥ ३३ ॥
tato ’gnir utthitaḥ kuṇḍān mūrtimān ati-bhīṣaṇaḥ tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśrur aṅgārodgāri-locanaḥ
Da erhob sich das Feuer aus der Altargrube und nahm die Gestalt einer extrem furchterregenden, nackten Person an. Bart und Haarschopf der feurigen Kreatur glichen geschmolzenem Kupfer, und ihre Augen sprühten glühende Asche. Ihr Gesicht sah mit den Fangzähnen und den schrecklich gerunzelten Brauen höchst entsetzlich aus. Während er sich mit der Zunge die Mundwinkel leckte, schüttelte der Dämon seinen flammenden Dreizack.
FAQs
In this passage, Śukadeva describes a terrifying, embodied form of fire rising from the sacrificial pit—showing how ritual power can manifest as a formidable being within the narrative of Krishna’s divine pastimes.
The Bhagavatam often depicts fearsome manifestations to highlight the intensity of adharmic aggression and the dramatic unfolding of divine protection and justice within Krishna-līlā.
It reminds a seeker that unseen forces—time, karma, and divine law—can manifest powerfully; cultivating humility, dharma, and devotion is safer than relying on pride or hostile intent.