Shloka 2
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
त्वं वासुदेवो भगवानवतीर्णो जगत्पति: । इति प्रस्तोभितो बालैर्मेन आत्मानमच्युतम् ॥ २ ॥
tvaṁ vāsudevo bhagavān avatīṛno jagat-patiḥ iti prastobhito bālair mena ātmānam acyutam
Flattered by childish men who told him, “You are Vāsudeva, the Supreme Lord, master of the universe, descended to earth,” Pauṇḍraka grew bold and imagined himself to be Acyuta, the infallible Lord.
Pauṇḍraka foolishly accepted the flattery of ignorant persons.
FAQs
This verse shows Pauṇḍraka being misled by praise and then imagining himself to be “Acyuta,” illustrating how imitation of the Supreme Lord arises from pride and delusion rather than devotion.
Incited by boys/companions who flattered him, Pauṇḍraka accepted their praise and adopted Kṛṣṇa’s divine titles, thinking himself an incarnation of the Lord.
Avoid identity built on flattery and hype; cultivate humility and सत्य (truthfulness) by aligning self-understanding with genuine qualifications and by honoring the Supreme rather than imitating Him.