Paundraka, the False Vasudeva

In the sixty sixth chapter the king of Karusa, Paundraka, showing his powers in the name of Vasudeva to cheat people, sent a messenger to Dvaraka . Krsna then destroyed Paundraka, his friend, the king of Kasi, his son and the city of kasi.

When Balarama had gone to Vraja, thinking Krsna was now alone, Paundraka, thinking that he was Vasudeva, sent a messenger to Krsna.

2.Being encouraged by ignorant people by their praise (prastobhitah), he considered himself the Supreme Lord.

3.The statement “he sent a messenger” of the first verse is repeated in this verse to indicate astonishment at Paundraka’s foolishness. He was just like a child who is imagined be a king by other children.

The two verses spoken by Paundraka have another, true meaning, according to the goddess of learning. According to the grammarian Bhaguri with elision of “a” by sandhi, the negative “na” can also be omitted. The meaning of Puandraka’s statement is therefore, “I have not appeared as Vasudeva. You alone and no one else are Vasudeva, for the purpose of giving mercy to the living entities. Therefore please make me give up my false name, which is like falsely believing a shell is silver.” Then the Lord will reply, “I will make you give up that false name.”

You allow the false weapons which I have adopted out of foolishness. Not having fought with me, you permit it. You have done wrong in not taking them away from me.

Make me give up those weapons. Come and give me liberation. If you are the protector from material existence (saranam), being the deliverer of liberation for even demons like me, the fight with me, and give me liberation.

I will make you give up those symbols (utsraksye) by which you falsely glorify yourself. Or I will throw (utsraksya) my symbols, my sudarsana cakra etc., at you and at those with whom you are talking.

With a covering on that mouth which is now speaking, surround by birds like herons (batah) and vultures, you will become the shelter of dogs (The dogs will happily eat you.)

He saw Paundraka who had a false Garuda on his flag, and who was wearing cheap imitation ornaments (amulya mauli abharanam).

Krsna attacked them like the fire of annihilation (huta bhuk) attacks all types of living entities without discriminating (prthak prajah).

The battlefield (ayodhanam), spread (citam) with rathas and other objects by the Lord’s cakra (arina), appeared splendid.

The reason that the king if Kasi’s head was thrown into the city of Kasi can be inferred as follows. “ O inhabitants of Kasi, today I will bring the head of the enemy into Kasi. Do not doubt this.’” Promising this, the king then went to battle. His sinful, proud wives also told their friends, “Today our husband will bring the head of the master of Dvaraka. ” For this reason the playful Lord put the king’s head in the city to astonish the inhabitants.

Meditating on the four handed form of the Lord, Paundraka attained liberation.

First they asked “What is that?” and then they asked “Whose head is it?”

Siva, asked Sudaksina, the king’s son, to choose a boon (varam adat).

“Serve the Daksinagni, which is like the priest who carries out rituals on his own behalf.” Vedas say: the fire is the rtvijam or deva of the sacrifice. When Siva said it should be used against one inimical to brahmanas, he hinted that used against Krsna the fire would have opposite effect. Hearing that brahmanas offer respects to Krsna, Sudaksina thought that since Krsna was greedy for brahmanas’ respect, he had no respect for the brahmanas.

Turning towards Dvaraka, the fire ran and burned up all directions.

Seeing him approach from a distance they became frightened, like animals thinking that a fire will burn down the forest.

“Please save us, please save us, “ they said.

Hearing the bewilderment of the citizens of the city and seeing the fear in the protectors of the city, the yadavas, because they did not know cause of that fire, Krsna spoke.

He ordered his cakra because he was thinking that, for such minor work, he should not interrupt his dice game.

Spreading in the heavens and earth, the sudarsana cakra afflicted the fire demon (agnim).