Shloka 23

Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana

Devanagari script

एवं मत्सरिणं हत्वा पौण्ड्रकं ससखं हरि: । द्वारकामाविशत् सिद्धैर्गीयमानकथामृत: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ matsariṇam hatvā pauṇḍrakaṁ sa-sakhaṁ hariḥ dvārakām āviśat siddhair gīyamāna-kathāmṛtaḥ

Translation

ഇങ്ങനെ അസൂയയുള്ള പൗണ്ഡ്രകനെയും അവന്റെ കൂട്ടാളിയെയും വധിച്ച് ഹരി ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ ദ്വാരകയിൽ പ്രവേശിച്ചു; പ്രവേശിക്കുമ്പോൾ സ്വർഗ്ഗത്തിലെ സിദ്ധർ അവന്റെ അമൃതസമമായ മഹിമ പാടുകയായിരുന്നു।

Synonyms

• evam: thus
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; manner adverb (एवम्)

• matsariṇam: envious
• matsariṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matsarin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular); विशेषण (qualifying Pauṇḍraka)

• hatvā: having killed
• hatvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त: त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having slain’

• pauṇḍrakam: Pauṇḍraka
• pauṇḍrakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pauṇḍraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• sa-sakham: along with his friend
• sa-sakham: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय-सह) + sakha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular); अव्ययीभाव: स + सखम् = ‘together with (his) friend’

• hariḥ: Hari (Kṛṣṇa)
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• dvārakām: Dvārakā
• dvārakām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvārakā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• āviśat: entered
• āviśat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + viś (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• siddhaiḥ: by the Siddhas
• siddhaiḥ: Kartr̥ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया विभक्ति (instrumental), बहुवचन (plural)

• gīyamāna-kathāmṛtaḥ: whose nectar-like deeds/stories were being sung
• gīyamāna-kathāmṛtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gīyamāna (गीयमान; कृदन्त, √gai) + kathā (प्रातिपदिक) + amṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative), एकवचन (singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: (सिद्धैः) गीयमानं कथामृतं यस्य सः—कथामृत = ‘nectar of narrations’; गीयमान = वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि लट्-शानच्/मान (present passive participle) used adjectivally

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Pauṇḍraka
• Siddhas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Pauṇḍraka, the false Vāsudeva?

This verse states that Śrī Hari killed the envious Pauṇḍraka (who posed as Vāsudeva) along with his ally, establishing that imitation of the Lord and hostility toward Him leads to destruction.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe the Siddhas singing as Kṛṣṇa entered Dvārakā?

To show that the Lord’s return after protecting dharma is celebrated across the universe—perfected beings glorify Him because His deeds are “kathāmṛta,” nectar for the heart and ears.

How can a devotee apply the teaching of kathāmṛta (nectar of Krishna-kathā) in modern life?

By regularly hearing, reading, and speaking Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes—replacing envy and distraction with remembrance and gratitude, which strengthens devotion and inner clarity.