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
すると、祭壇の穴から火が立ち上がり、非常に恐ろしい裸の人物の姿をとりました。その炎のような生き物の髭と髪の束は溶けた銅のようで、目は燃え盛る炭火を放っていました。牙と恐ろしく吊り上がった眉を持つその顔は、最も恐ろしいものでした。舌で口の端を舐めながら、その悪魔は燃える三叉の槍を振り回しました。
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.