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
Então o fogo ergueu-se da cova do altar, assumindo a forma de uma pessoa nua extremamente temível. A barba e o tufo de cabelo da criatura ígnea eram como cobre fundido, e os seus olhos emitiam brasas ardentes. O seu rosto parecia medonho com as suas presas e terríveis sobrancelhas franzidas. Enquanto lambia os cantos da boca com a língua, o demónio agitava o seu tridente flamejante.
In this verse, Śukadeva describes a terrifying embodied fire-being arising from a fire-pit, showing that hostile rites can manifest destructive entities—yet such powers remain ultimately subordinate to the Supreme Lord’s will.
In the narrative surrounding this chapter, the king of Kāśī acts out of enmity and vengeance against Kṛṣṇa, employing ritual power to generate a destructive force; the verse depicts the frightening form of that manifestation.
It cautions against using spirituality for harm or ego-driven revenge and encourages taking shelter of dharma and devotion, trusting that divine protection is stronger than fear, intimidation, or occult hostility.