Shloka 5
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
वासुदेवोऽवतीर्णोऽहमेक एव न चापर: । भूतानामनुकम्पार्थं त्वं तु मिथ्याभिधां त्यज ॥ ५ ॥
vāsudevo ’vatīrno ’ham eka eva na cāparaḥ bhūtānām anukampārthaṁ tvaṁ tu mithyābhidhāṁ tyaja
I alone am Vāsudeva, and there is no other. Out of compassion for all beings I have descended into this world; therefore give up your false designation.
Inspired by Goddess Sarasvatī, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī gives the real import of these two verses: “I am not Vāsudeva incarnate, but rather You alone, and no one else, are Vāsudeva. Since You have descended to show mercy to the living beings, please make me give up my false designation, which is like that of an oyster claiming to be silver.” The Supreme Lord will certainly comply with this request.
FAQs
This verse teaches that Kṛṣṇa appears out of compassion and instructs one to abandon false designations—identifying the self with temporary labels—and recognize the Lord as the one Supreme reality.
Within the narrative flow, Kṛṣṇa asserts His unique divine identity and urges the listener to drop mistaken self-conceptions, aligning them with truth and devotion rather than ego-based identity.
Practice seeing yourself beyond roles and status, reduce ego-driven reactions, and center daily decisions on devotion, humility, and compassion—remembering the Lord as the ultimate shelter.