Previous Verse
Next Verse

Shloka 32

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

അപ്പോൾ ഹോമകുണ്ഡത്തിൽ നിന്ന് അതിഭീകരനായ ഒരു രൂപം ഉയർന്നു വന്നു. ഉരുകിയ ചെம்பு പോലെയുള്ള മുടിയും താടിയും, തീക്കനൽ വമിക്കുന്ന കണ്ണുകളും അവനുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. കോമ്പല്ലുകളും വക്രിച്ച പുരികങ്ങളും അവന്റെ മുഖത്തെ ഭയാനകമാക്കി. നഗ്നനായ അവൻ നാവുകൊണ്ട് വായ നക്കുകയും ജ്വലിക്കുന്ന ത്രിശൂലം വീശുകയും ചെയ്തു.

tataḥthen/thereupon
tataḥ:
Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्यय; काल/अनन्तर्यबोधक-अव्यय (adverb)
agniḥfire
agniḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootagni (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन
utthitaḥarisen
utthitaḥ:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootutthita (कृदन्त; √sthā स्था with ud- prefix)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त/PPP — ‘arisen’ (agreeing with agniḥ)
kuṇḍātfrom the fire-pit
kuṇḍāt:
Apadana (अपादान)
TypeNoun
Rootkuṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; पाठे ‘कुण्डान्’ इति दृश्यते, अर्थतः ‘कुण्डात्’ (from the fire-pit)
mūrtimānembodied
mūrtimān:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootmūrti-mant (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त — ‘embodied’
ati-bhīṣaṇaḥvery terrifying
ati-bhīṣaṇaḥ:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootati (अव्यय/उपसर्गभाव) + bhīṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय — ‘exceedingly terrifying’
tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśruḥwith a heated-copper-like crest and beard
tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśruḥ:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Roottapta (कृदन्त; √tap तप्) + tāmra (प्रातिपदिक) + śikhā (प्रातिपदिक) + śmaśru (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि — ‘whose crest and beard are like heated copper’
aṅgāra-udgāri-locanaḥhaving ember-spewing eyes
aṅgāra-udgāri-locanaḥ:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootaṅgāra (प्रातिपदिक) + udgārin (प्रातिपदिक) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि — ‘whose eyes emit embers’
Ś
Śukadeva Gosvāmī
M
Mahārāja Parīkṣit
P
Personified Fire (Agni-puruṣa)

FAQs

In this passage, Śukadeva describes a terrifying, embodied form of fire rising from the sacrificial pit—showing how ritual power can manifest as a formidable being within the narrative of Krishna’s divine pastimes.

The Bhagavatam often depicts fearsome manifestations to highlight the intensity of adharmic aggression and the dramatic unfolding of divine protection and justice within Krishna-līlā.

It reminds a seeker that unseen forces—time, karma, and divine law—can manifest powerfully; cultivating humility, dharma, and devotion is safer than relying on pride or hostile intent.