Shloka 41

Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana

Devanagari script

चक्रं च विष्णोस्तदनुप्रविष्टं वाराणसीं साट्टसभालयापणाम् । सगोपुराट्टालककोष्ठसङ्कुलां सकोशहस्त्यश्वरथान्नशालिनीम् ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

cakraṁ ca viṣṇos tad-anupraviṣṭaṁ vārānasīṁ sāṭṭa-sabhālayāpaṇām sa-gopurāṭṭālaka-koṣṭha-saṅkulāṁ sa-kośa-hasty-aśva-rathānna-śālinīm

Translation

Auch Viṣṇus Diskus drang, den Feuergestalt-Dämon verfolgend, in Vārāṇasī ein und verbrannte die Stadt bis auf den Grund: Versammlungshallen, Wohnpaläste mit hohen Vorbauten, zahlreiche Märkte, Tore und Wachtürme, Lagerhäuser und Schatzkammern sowie Ställe für Elefanten, Pferde, Wagen und Kornspeicher.

Synonyms

• cakram: the discus
• cakram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative (1st), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇoḥ: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁlinga, Genitive (6th), Singular

• tat: that
• tat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative, Singular; correlating pronoun

• anupraviṣṭam: having entered (after it)
• anupraviṣṭam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu + pra + viś (धातु) → anupraviṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Napumsaka, Nominative, Singular; ‘having entered/followed into’

• vārāṇasīm: Vārāṇasī
• vārāṇasīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vārāṇasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīlinga, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• sa-aṭṭa-sabhā-ālaya-āpaṇām: with mansions, halls, houses and markets
• sa-aṭṭa-sabhā-ālaya-āpaṇām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + aṭṭa + sabhā + ālaya + āpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīlinga, Accusative, Singular; bahu-membered tatpuruṣa with sa- ‘with’: ‘having mansions, assembly-halls, residences, and markets’

• sa-gopura-aṭṭālaka-koṣṭha-saṅkulām: crowded with gates, towers and chambers
• sa-gopura-aṭṭālaka-koṣṭha-saṅkulām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + gopura + aṭṭālaka + koṣṭha + saṅkula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīlinga, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa with sa-: ‘crowded with gateways, watchtowers, and storehouses/rooms’

• sa-kośa-hasti-aśva-ratha-anna-śālinīm: abounding in treasury, elephants, horses, chariots and food
• sa-kośa-hasti-aśva-ratha-anna-śālinīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + kośa + hasti + aśva + ratha + anna + śālinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīlinga, Accusative, Singular; tatpuruṣa with sa-: ‘possessing treasuries, elephants, horses, chariots, and stores of food’

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu (Sudarśana-cakra)
• Vārāṇasī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Sudarshana Chakra in Canto 10?

In this verse (10.66.41), Śukadeva describes Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana-cakra entering Vārāṇasī, showing the Lord’s irresistible power that enforces dharma and removes adharma.

Why did Sudarshana Chakra enter Varanasi in Srimad Bhagavatam?

In the narrative of Canto 10, Chapter 66, the Lord’s cakra follows the offender and reaches Vārāṇasī, indicating that divine justice can extend even to a wealthy, fortified city when arrogance and wrongdoing oppose the Lord and His order.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam verse in modern life?

The verse reminds seekers that external security—wealth, power, and institutions—cannot protect wrongdoing; aligning one’s actions with dharma and humility is the real safeguard.