Shloka 21
पौण्ड्रक-वधः, कृत्या-प्रशमनम्, वाराणसी-दाहः
काशिराजबलं चैव क्षयं नीत्वा जनार्दनः उवाच पौण्ड्रकं मूढम् आत्मचिह्नोपलक्षणम्
kāśirājabalaṃ caiva kṣayaṃ nītvā janārdanaḥ uvāca pauṇḍrakaṃ mūḍham ātmacihnopalakṣaṇam
काशिराजाचे सैन्यही नष्ट करून जनार्दनाने त्या मूढ पौण्ड्रकाला संबोधिले, जो भगवंताची वैयक्तिक चिन्हे चोरून धारण करून फिरत होता।
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya; within the episode, Janārdana/Sri Krishna is about to speak to Pauṇḍraka)
FAQs
This verse frames Pauṇḍraka as one who imitates divine marks to claim divinity; the narrative uses him to contrast outward symbols with inner realization and rightful sovereignty belonging to Janārdana alone.
Through the unfolding account, Parāśara presents Krishna’s effortless defeat of royal forces as proof of the Lord’s inherent supremacy—authority is demonstrated by dharmic power and cosmic legitimacy, not by costume or proclamation.
Janārdana is shown as the Supreme Reality who upholds order by dispelling delusion; the episode reinforces a Vaishnava principle that the Lord’s identity is self-established and cannot be replicated by external signs.