Shloka 33
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
ततोऽग्निरुत्थित: कुण्डान्मूर्तिमानतिभीषण: । तप्तताम्रशिखाश्मश्रुरङ्गारोद्गारिलोचन: ॥ ३२ ॥ दंष्ट्रोग्रभ्रुकुटीदण्डकठोरास्य: स्वजिह्वया । आलिहन् सृक्वणी नग्नो विधुन्वंस्त्रिशिखं ज्वलत् ॥ ३३ ॥
tato ’gnir utthitaḥ kuṇḍān mūrtimān ati-bhīṣaṇaḥ tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśrur aṅgārodgāri-locanaḥ
Alors le feu s'éleva de la fosse de l'autel, prenant la forme d'une personne nue extrêmement effrayante. La barbe et la touffe de cheveux de la créature ardente étaient comme du cuivre fondu, et ses yeux émettaient des braises ardentes. Son visage était des plus effrayants avec ses crocs et ses terribles sourcils froncés. Tout en léchant les coins de sa bouche avec sa langue, le démon secouait son trident enflammé.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva describes a terrifying embodied fire-being arising from a fire-pit, showing that hostile rites can manifest destructive entities—yet such powers remain ultimately subordinate to the Supreme Lord’s will.
In the narrative surrounding this chapter, the king of Kāśī acts out of enmity and vengeance against Kṛṣṇa, employing ritual power to generate a destructive force; the verse depicts the frightening form of that manifestation.
It cautions against using spirituality for harm or ego-driven revenge and encourages taking shelter of dharma and devotion, trusting that divine protection is stronger than fear, intimidation, or occult hostility.