Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

अक्षै: सभायां क्रीडन्तं भगवन्तं भयातुरा: । त्राहि त्राहि त्रिलोकेश वह्ने: प्रदहत: पुरम् ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

akṣaiḥ sabhāyāṁ krīḍantaṁ bhagavantaṁ bhayāturāḥ trāhi trāhi tri-lokeśa vahneḥ pradahataḥ puram

Translation

ഭയാകുലരായ ജനങ്ങൾ സഭയിൽ പാശക്രീഡയിൽ ലീനനായ ഭഗവാനെ കണ്ടു വിളിച്ചു—“രക്ഷിക്കണേ, രക്ഷിക്കണേ, ത്രിലോകേശാ! ഈ അഗ്നി നഗരത്തെ ദഹിപ്പിക്കുന്നു!”

Synonyms

• अक्षैः: with dice
• अक्षैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• सभायाम्: in the assembly hall
• सभायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular

• क्रीडन्तम्: playing
• क्रीडन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्रीड् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), परस्मैपदी; द्वितीया-एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; Present active participle accusative singular masculine

• भगवन्तम्: the Lord
• भगवन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• भय-आतुराः: distressed with fear
• भय-आतुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय + आतुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Nominative plural; समासः तृतीया/हेतु-तत्पुरुषः (भयेन आतुराः = distressed due to fear)

• त्राहि: save (us)!
• त्राहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्रा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपदी; मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; Imperative 2nd person singular

• त्राहि: save (us)!
• त्राहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्रा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपदी; मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; Imperative 2nd person singular (repetition for urgency)

• त्रि-लोकेश: O Lord of the three worlds
• त्रि-लोकेश: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + लोक + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Vocative singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (त्रिलोकानाम् ईशः)

• वह्नेः: of the fire
• वह्नेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; Genitive singular

• प्रदहतः: that is burning
• प्रदहतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दह् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ) उपसर्ग-प्र; षष्ठी-एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसक-सम्बन्धे; Present active participle genitive singular (agreeing with वह्नेः)

• पुरम्: the city
• पुरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Citizens of Dvārakā (the Yādavas/people)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna protecting His devotees in danger?

This verse shows the citizens turning to Kṛṣṇa as “Trilokeśa,” begging protection as fire consumes the city—illustrating that devotees instinctively take shelter of Him in crisis and He is the ultimate protector.

Why did the people cry “trāhi trāhi trilokeśa” to Krishna?

Because a devastating fire was burning the city, and seeing Kṛṣṇa present, they appealed to Him as the Lord of all worlds, trusting that only His divine power could save them.

Practical application of taking shelter of Krishna in modern life?

When fear and uncertainty arise, respond with remembrance and prayer rather than panic—turning the mind toward the Lord as protector and guide, just as the citizens did in this verse.