Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 14
Pauṇḍraka’s False Vāsudeva Claim, His Death, and the Burning of Vārāṇasī by Sudarśana
तस्य काशीपतिर्मित्रं पार्ष्णिग्राहोऽन्वयान्नृप । अक्षौहिणीभिस्तिसृभिरपश्यत् पौण्ड्रकं हरि: ॥ १२ ॥ शङ्खार्यसिगदाशार्ङ्गश्रीवत्साद्युपलक्षितम् । बिभ्राणं कौस्तुभमणिं वनमालाविभूषितम् ॥ १३ ॥ कौशेयवाससी पीते वसानं गरुडध्वजम् । अमूल्यमौल्याभरणं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ १४ ॥
tasya kāśī-patir mitraṁ pārṣṇi-grāho ’nvayān nṛpa akṣauhiṇībhis tisṛbhir apaśyat pauṇḍrakaṁ hariḥ
庞德罗迦的朋友迦尸王，王啊，率三支阿叉乌希尼军作后卫随行。主哈利见庞德罗迦竟佩持主之徽记：螺号、神轮、宝剑与钉锤，又仿造了沙尔恩迦神弓与室利跋蹉圣印；他戴着假考斯图婆宝珠，饰以林花花鬘，身着细软黄绢，上下衣皆黄；旗帜绘有迦楼罗，又戴贵重王冠与闪耀的摩伽罗形耳环。
Śrīla Prabhupāda comments in Kṛṣṇa: “When the two kings came before Lord Kṛṣṇa to oppose Him, Kṛṣṇa saw Pauṇḍraka face to face for the first time.”
FAQs
This verse highlights divine identifiers—yellow silk garments, the Garuḍa emblem, and extraordinary, priceless ornaments—used in the narrative to contrast genuine divinity with Pauṇḍraka’s imitation.
The Garuḍa emblem is a classic Vaiṣṇava royal and divine sign associated with the Supreme Lord’s sovereignty and protection, helping devotees and readers identify the Lord’s authentic insignia in the scripture’s narratives.
It teaches discernment: don’t be misled by external display or claims—evaluate authenticity by consistent, verifiable qualities and higher character, just as the Bhagavatam contrasts true divinity with imitation.