Namo Poundrikye: The Ancient Deceiver and the Modern Parallel

Meet Poundrik Vasudev, also known as the “Alternate Vasudev.” Yep, you heard that right – “Alternate” like in “Alternate Facts.” Now, you might think that stuff only happens nowadays, but Poundrik was pulling his stunts way back in Sri Krishna’s time.

You may not easily recall him as he didn’t feature in the famous Mahabharata series by B.R. Chopra, but he did pop up in some Sri Krishna tales (there are quite a few of those). So, who was he? Poundrik ruled over Pundra (Pundravardhana), as mentioned in the Bhagwat Puran. He’s known to have been buddies with Jarasandh, Shakuni, and even wore the crown of Kashi.

Imagine him strutting around with his “alternate Sudharshan Chakra” and his “alternate Mace,” probably giving a side-eye to anyone who dared question his divine authority. And let’s not forget his entourage – dressing his brother as Balarama, and another poor soul as his personal Hanuman. Talk about commitment to the con!

Poundrik was slick in winning over folks who weren’t exactly fans of Sri Krishna. He managed to convince even the King of Kashi that he was the real deal, and slowly but surely, others started buying into his act too. And get this – he did all of this without any fancy apps like WhatsApp or Instagram!
However, despite his cunning and elaborate ruse, Poundrik’s deception ultimately led to his downfall. In his encounters with the real Sri Krishna, he was unable to maintain his facade, and their last confrontation ended unfavourably for him.

Poundrik’s story serves as a reminder that even in ancient times, there were skilled deceivers among us. And guess what? We’re just scratching the surface of this thing called Kaliyug, where things are supposed to get pretty rough as human values take a nosedive. If Poundrik could pull off such elaborate schemes back then, imagine what’s possible now!

Think about it: in our country, we’ve got these so-called “Godmen” who turn out to be anything but godly. They’re like modern-day Poundriks, tricking people left and right. It’s like they’re under a spell, unable to see through the lies they’re telling themselves.

This is the tricky nature of Rahu. He leads you down a road that seems tailor-made for your wildest dreams. You start believing that everything you’re achieving is all because of your hard work and smarts. But in reality, Rahu’s just pumping up your ego, making it swell until you’re convinced that your dream is right within your grasp. Then, just when you’re about to grab it, the whole thing crumbles like a house of cards.

It’s like chasing a mirage in the desert – you think you’re getting closer, but you’re just running in circles.

Ravana’s ego is a big example here. His fall after mastering everything is a cautionary tale in itself (Read Ravana’s article here.)
In recent times, D. Trump is someone who come to mind, rising to the highest echelons, and now he is not ready to believe that he has fallen to his lowest nadir.

But is Rahu all bad?

Take Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, for instance. Rahu took him to spiritual heights beyond the reach of mortals. He travelled the world and established ISKON. And yes, ISKON has had its share of controversies. This is again Rahu’s nature expressing himself, blessing wholeheartedly, yet adding a tinge of a dark shade to it.

Escaping Rahu’s influence isn’t a walk in the park, and understanding him or what he fears most is the key. That takes us back to the story of origin, which I’ve explored in detail before (read the article here.) Indian tales are like onion layers; you peel them back multiple times, approaching them differently each time, and they reveal more.

In the story of Swarbhanu lies the secret that terrifies Rahu-Ketu, often overlooked as mundane.

In the Gita, Krishna tells Bharat (aka Arjun) that Truth alone is eternal. This Truth is what Swarbhanu feared. When the Sun and Moon exposed Swarbhanu’s truth, Vishnu put an end to him, but Rahu and Ketu were born. They’re described as shadows trying to overshadow the Sun and Moon, hiding the truth, even if only for a while.

Truth breaks the Rahu Ketu illusion and can be attained through knowledge. In astrology, Jupiter (knowledge) can counter Rahu, but even Jupiter can be corrupted by Rahu in Kaliyug.

We must be mindful of the knowledge we receive and use our free will. In a world filled with self-proclaimed divine beings, only truth can guide us. Poundrik craved attention and a larger-than-life image, which the King of Kashi, King Jarasandh, and others exploited for their selfish motives. They marketed Poundrik as the true Vishnu Avatar, but it all ended with his humiliating downfall.

We often reject knowledge for illusion, expecting Rahu to deliver like Jupiter, which isn’t possible. Just as many worshipped Poundrik during the Iron Age, ignoring the truth, today, we do the same. We’re drawn to fakes, seeking the easy way out, unwilling to let go of Rahu, trapped in our desires. Ironically, we turn to modern-day imposters to free ourselves from Rahu, perpetuating the cycle of illusion.

Hence, Namo Poundrikye!