Shloka 14
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
तस्य काशीपतिर्मित्रं पार्ष्णिग्राहोऽन्वयान्नृप । अक्षौहिणीभिस्तिसृभिरपश्यत् पौण्ड्रकं हरि: ॥ १२ ॥ शङ्खार्यसिगदाशार्ङ्गश्रीवत्साद्युपलक्षितम् । बिभ्राणं कौस्तुभमणिं वनमालाविभूषितम् ॥ १३ ॥ कौशेयवाससी पीते वसानं गरुडध्वजम् । अमूल्यमौल्याभरणं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ १४ ॥
tasya kāśī-patir mitraṁ pārṣṇi-grāho ’nvayān nṛpa akṣauhiṇībhis tisṛbhir apaśyat pauṇḍrakaṁ hariḥ
パウンドラカの友であるカーシー王は、王よ、三つのアクシャウヒニー軍を率いて後衛（パールシュニグラーハ）として後から従った。主ハリは、パウンドラカが法螺貝・円盤・剣・棍棒など主ご自身の徽章を携え、さらに偽りのシャールンガ弓とシュリーヴァツァの印まで付けているのを御覧になった。彼は偽のカウストゥバ宝珠を飾り、森の花輪（ヴァナマーラー）をまとい、上衣下衣ともに黄の上質な絹を着、ガルダの旗印を掲げ、貴い冠と光るマカラ形の耳飾りを身に着けていた。
Śrīla Prabhupāda comments in Kṛṣṇa: “When the two kings came before Lord Kṛṣṇa to oppose Him, Kṛṣṇa saw Pauṇḍraka face to face for the first time.”
FAQs
This verse highlights divine identifiers—yellow silk garments, the Garuḍa emblem, and extraordinary, priceless ornaments—used in the narrative to contrast genuine divinity with Pauṇḍraka’s imitation.
The Garuḍa emblem is a classic Vaiṣṇava royal and divine sign associated with the Supreme Lord’s sovereignty and protection, helping devotees and readers identify the Lord’s authentic insignia in the scripture’s narratives.
It teaches discernment: don’t be misled by external display or claims—evaluate authenticity by consistent, verifiable qualities and higher character, just as the Bhagavatam contrasts true divinity with imitation.