Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
पद्भ्यां तालप्रमाणाभ्यां कम्पयन्नवनीतलम् । सोऽभ्यधावद् वृतो भूतैर्द्वारकां प्रदहन् दिश: ॥ ३४ ॥
padbhyāṁ tāla-pramāṇābhyāṁ kampayann avanī-talam so ’bhyadhāvad vṛto bhūtair dvārakāṁ pradahan diśaḥ
Với đôi chân cao như cây thốt nốt, con quỷ lao về Dvārakā giữa bầy linh hồn ma quái, làm rung chuyển mặt đất và thiêu đốt khắp mọi phương.
This verse depicts a terrifying aggressor charging toward Dvārakā with immense force, emphasizing how threats may arise against the Lord’s city—setting the stage for Kṛṣṇa’s protection and the defeat of the arrogant.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this verse to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the account in Canto 10, Chapter 66.
Even when danger appears overwhelming and “burns the directions,” a devotee remembers that the Lord ultimately protects His devotees and His dharma—encouraging steadiness, prayer, and faith rather than panic.