Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
श्रुत्वा तज्जनवैक्लव्यं दृष्ट्वा स्वानां च साध्वसम् । शरण्य: सम्प्रहस्याह मा भैष्टेत्यवितास्म्यहम् ॥ ३७ ॥
śrutvā taj jana-vaiklavyaṁ dṛṣṭvā svānāṁ ca sādhvasam śaraṇyaḥ samprahasyāha mā bhaiṣṭety avitāsmy aham
Mendengar kegelisahan orang ramai dan melihat bahkan orang-orang-Nya sendiri terganggu, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Pemberi perlindungan, tersenyum lalu berkata: “Jangan takut; Aku akan melindungi kamu.”
This verse shows Kṛṣṇa as śaraṇya—the giver of shelter—directly reassuring His followers, “Do not fear; I am your protector,” emphasizing His active protection of devotees.
Seeing the fear and agitation around Him, Kṛṣṇa smiled and calmed His own side, assuring them that His presence as the supreme refuge removes danger and anxiety.
By practicing śaraṇāgati—taking shelter through prayer, remembrance, and steady devotion—one learns to face uncertainty with faith that the Lord’s protection guides the outcome.