Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 26
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
राज्ञ: काशीपतेर्ज्ञात्वा महिष्य: पुत्रबान्धवा: । पौराश्च हा हता राजन् नाथ नाथेति प्रारुदन् ॥ २६ ॥
rājñaḥ kāśī-pater jñātvā mahiṣyaḥ putra-bāndhavāḥ paurāś ca hā hatā rājan nātha nātheti prārudan
My dear King, when they recognized it as the head of their ruler, the lord of Kāśī, his queens, sons, relatives, and all the citizens cried out in grief: “Alas, we are ruined! O master, O master!”
FAQs
This verse shows the natural worldly grief of queens, relatives, and citizens who cry “nātha, nātha,” illustrating attachment to temporal protection and the pain that follows loss.
Śukadeva is narrating the events to King Parīkṣit, so “rājan” marks the direct address within the ongoing teacher–disciple dialogue of the Bhāgavatam.
It reminds us that worldly shelter is fragile; cultivating devotion and inner spiritual refuge helps one face loss with greater steadiness and faith.