Thus resolved to capture the Lord, the Yavana king gave chase as Krishna fled before him—though Krishna Himself is unattainable even to the greatest yogis. Hari, the Lord, appeared always just out of reach, luring the Yavana step by step, as if the king could grasp his own self with his hand. In this way, the Yavana was drawn into a mountain cave, never able to catch Krishna. As he pursued, the Yavana mocked Krishna, taunting, “Flight does not befit one born in the Yadu line, such as you!” But despite his jeers, he could not lay hold of the Lord. Unperturbed by the taunts, Krishna entered the cave, and the Yavana followed. There, in the darkness, he saw another man lying asleep. The Yavana thought, “Surely Krishna has brought this man far away and left him here, lying like a saint.” In his ignorance, the Yavana struck the sleeping figure—Achyuta, the infallible one—with his foot. That man, who had slept for ages, awoke. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked all around. Seeing the Yavana standing nearby, he fixed his gaze upon him. In that instant, O descendant of Bharata, the Yavana was burned to ashes by the fire that sprang from the angry glance of the awakened man—destroyed by the fire born of his own body. King Parikshit then asked, “O brāhmaṇa, who was this man? Of what lineage and power? Why did he sleep in that cave? What was the brilliance of the one who destroyed the Yavana?” Śrī Śuka replied, “He was Mucukunda, born in the noble Ikṣvāku dynasty, the illustrious son of Māndhātṛ, famed for his devotion to the brāhmaṇas and steadfastness in truth. At the request of the hosts of gods, including Indra, he had protected them for a long time from the asuras who were filled with fear. Having found Mucukunda in the cave, their protector, the gods said to him, ‘O king, please give up these hardships of protecting us. You have abandoned the world of men, a kingdom free from enemies, and all your desires, to safeguard us. But now, your sons, wives, relatives, ministers, counselors, and subjects of your own age are no longer alive. Time, the almighty and imperishable Lord, is stronger than the strongest; in play, He brings all beings to their end, just as a herdsman drives his cattle. Choose a boon, O blessed one, anything but liberation, for that is not ours to give. There is only one Lord, the imperishable Bhagavān Viṣṇu, who grants liberation.’ Thus addressed, the illustrious Mucukunda bowed to the gods, entered the cave, and surrendered himself to divine sleep. When the Yavana had been reduced to ashes, the Blessed Lord, Krishna, best of the Sātvatas, revealed Himself to the wise Mucukunda. Mucukunda beheld a wondrous sight: Krishna, dark as a rain-filled cloud, clad in yellow silk, bearing the Śrīvatsa mark on His chest, and shining with the Kaustubha gem. He saw the Lord with four radiant arms, adorned with the Vaijayantī garland, a beautiful, gracious face, and sparkling makara earrings. Krishna’s affectionate, smiling eyes, ever-youthful form, and majestic lion-like bearing filled the cave with noble splendor. Overwhelmed by the Lord’s brilliance, Mucukunda, cautious and full of wonder, gently questioned Him, as one might address an unconquerable power. He asked, “Who are you, O radiant one, who have come here into this forest and mountain cave, wandering with lotus-petal-like feet among the thorns? What is the brilliance of the radiant ones—whether it be the Lord, fire, sun, moon, Indra, or any guardian of the worlds—compared to yours? I consider you the foremost among gods, for you dispel the darkness of this cave as a lamp does with its light. O best of men, if it pleases you, please tell us, your eager and faultless servants, about your birth, deeds, and lineage. “As for us, O tiger among men, we are of the Ikṣvāku clan, kshatriya kin; I am called Mucukunda, son of Yuvanāśva, O Lord. Exhausted from long wakefulness, my senses dulled by sleep, I lay here alone, until someone awakened me just now. He too was surely reduced to ashes by his own wickedness; immediately after, you, glorious and renowned for subduing enemies, appeared. Your unbearable radiance is so great that we cannot gaze upon you; O illustrious one, you are worthy of honor among embodied beings.” Thus addressed by the king, the Lord, creator of beings, replied with a gentle smile, His voice deep as thunderclouds. Krishna said, “My births, deeds, and names are countless, O friend; even I cannot enumerate them, for they are infinite. Sometimes I have examined my earthly births with great beings, but my births are never truly defined by qualities, deeds, or names. O king, my births and deeds span all three times; even the greatest sages, tracing them in order, never reach their end. “Yet, O friend, listen as I speak of my present birth. At the request of Brahma long ago, I have come to protect dharma. To relieve the earth’s burden and destroy the asuras, I have descended into the Yadu lineage, into the house of Anakadundubhi; people call me Vasudeva, the son of Vasudeva. Kalanemi, Kamsa, Pralamba, and other evil ones have been slain; this Yavana, too, has been burned, O king, by your fierce gaze. I have come to this cave for your sake, to show you favor; you prayed to me greatly in the past, and I am ever devoted to my devotees. Choose your boons, O royal sage; I grant you all desires. One who has my favor need never grieve again.” Śuka continued: Thus addressed, Mucukunda, filled with joy, bowed to Krishna, recognizing Him as Nārāyaṇa, and recalling the words of Garga. Mucukunda said, “O Lord, people are deluded by your māyā and do not worship you, seeing only misfortune; seeking happiness, they become attached to homes, women, and men, and are deceived.