Shloka 9
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
मुखं तदपिधायाज्ञ कङ्कगृध्रवटैर्वृत: । शयिष्यसे हतस्तत्र भविता शरणं शुनाम् ॥ ९ ॥
mukhaṁ tad apidhāyājña kaṅka-gṛdhra-vaṭair vṛtaḥ śayiṣyase hatas tatra bhavitā śaraṇaṁ śunām
O Narr, wenn du tot daliegst, dein Gesicht von Geiern und Reihern bedeckt, wirst du zur Zuflucht der Hunde werden.
Pauṇḍraka foolishly told the Supreme Lord to come to him for shelter, but here Lord Kṛṣṇa tells him, “You are not My shelter, but rather you will become the shelter of dogs when they happily feast on your dead body.”
FAQs
This verse shows Śiśupāla’s harsh blasphemy toward Kṛṣṇa; the narrative teaches that such aparādha leads to downfall, while the Lord ultimately protects dharma.
In the royal assembly, consumed by envy and pride, Śiśupāla publicly abused Kṛṣṇa during the events leading to his eventual punishment (Śiśupāla-vadha).
Guard speech against contempt and envy; cultivate humility and respect for the sacred, since arrogance and verbal aggression degrade one’s character and destiny.