King Parīkṣit, eager to understand the wondrous events he had just heard, turned to the sage Śuka and asked, “O brāhmaṇa, who was that extraordinary man who slept in the cave? Of what lineage and power was he? Why did he enter the cave and succumb to sleep there? And what was the brilliance of the one who destroyed the Yavana?” Śuka replied, “O King, that illustrious soul was born in the celebrated Ikṣvāku dynasty. He was the great son of Māndhātṛ, renowned as Mucukunda, ever devoted to the brāhmaṇas and steadfast in truth. Long ago, the hosts of gods, led by Indra, approached Mucukunda in their distress. The asuras, their enemies, had filled them with terror, and so they earnestly requested Mucukunda to protect them. Out of compassion and duty, Mucukunda took up their cause and defended the heavens for a long time. But when the gods found Mucukunda, their protector, resting in a cave, they addressed him, saying, ‘O noble king, please lay aside the great hardships you have endured for our sake. You have already abandoned the world of men and a kingdom free from enemies. In protecting us, you have left behind all your worldly desires. Know, O hero, that your sons, wives, relatives, ministers, counselors, and even your subjects of the same age are no longer alive. Time, the almighty and imperishable Lord, is stronger than the strongest. In his play, he brings all beings to their end, just as a herdsman leads away his cattle. Therefore, choose a boon, O blessed one, anything save liberation, for that is not ours to grant. There is only one Lord who can bestow mokṣa, and that is the imperishable Bhagavān Viṣṇu.’ Thus addressed, the illustrious Mucukunda bowed to the gods, entered the cave, and lay down, overtaken by a deep, divine sleep. Later, when the Yavana was reduced to ashes, the Blessed Lord—best of the Sātvatas—revealed Himself before the awakened Mucukunda. The king beheld Him: dark as a rain-laden cloud, clad in radiant yellow silk, bearing the Śrīvatsa mark on His chest and shining with the Kaustubha gem. He saw the Lord with four resplendent arms, adorned with the Vaijayantī garland, a beautiful and gracious face, and sparkling makara earrings. His eyes smiled with affection, He appeared ever youthful and majestic like a proud lion, and His noble prowess was unmistakable—a sight to behold for all mankind. Overwhelmed by the Lord’s radiance, the wise king, both suspicious and cautious, gently questioned Him, as one would address an unconquerable power. Mucukunda said, ‘Who are you, who have come to this forest and entered this mountain cave, wandering with your lotus-like feet among thorny undergrowth? What is the brilliance of the radiant ones—be it the Lord, fire, sun, moon, Indra, or any other guardian of the worlds—compared to yours? I consider you the foremost among the gods of gods, for you dispel the darkness of the cave as a lamp scatters night with its light. O best of men, if it pleases you, please tell us, who are eager to serve you without fault, about your birth, your deeds, and your lineage. As for myself, O tiger among men, I am of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, a kṣatriya by birth, known as 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. That person, too, was surely reduced to ashes by his own wickedness; and immediately after, you—glorious and famed for subduing enemies—appeared before me. Your unbearable radiance is so great that I cannot gaze upon you; O illustrious one, you are worthy of all honor among embodied beings.’ Thus addressed, the Lord, creator of all beings, replied with a gentle smile, His voice resounding like a deep thundercloud. The Blessed Lord 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 among great souls, but my true nature is never defined by qualities, deeds, or names. O king, my appearances and actions span all three times—past, present, and future—and even the greatest sages, tracing them in order, cannot reach their end. Yet, O friend, listen now as I speak of my present birth. Long ago, Brahmā requested me to protect dharma. To relieve the earth’s burden and destroy the asuras, I have descended into the Yadu lineage, in the house of Anakadundubhi. People call me Vāsudeva, the son of Vasudeva. Kālanemi, Kaṁsa, Pralamba, and other evil ones have been slain; and this Yavana, too, has been burned, O king, by the fierceness of your gaze. I have come to this cave for your sake, to show you favor, for you prayed to me greatly in the past, and I am ever devoted to my devotees. Therefore, choose your boons, O royal sage. I grant all desires to those devoted to me. One who has my favor need never grieve again.’ Hearing these words, Mucukunda was filled with joy. He bowed to the Lord, recognizing Him as Nārāyaṇa, and recalled the teachings of Garga. Mucukunda spoke, ‘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. O sinless one, when a person attains this rare human birth, with a sound body and without effort, yet does not worship your lotus feet due to a misguided mind, he falls into the dark well of household life like an animal. O Unconquered Lord, my own time has passed fruitlessly, intoxicated by royal opulence, absorbed in the mortal conception of self, deeply attached to children, wife, wealth, and possessions, and tormented by endless anxieties. In this body, which is like a clay pot, I was established as ‘king of men,’ surrounded by chariots, elephants, horses, infantry, and retinues, roaming the earth in great arrogance, counting no one as equal. Intoxicated, I was absorbed in thoughts of what to do next, my greed ever increasing, craving sense pleasures; but you, unbewildered, suddenly approach, O Death, like a snake licking at a mouse’s hole. Once, riding in chariots adorned with gold or on mighty elephants, I was called ‘king of men’; but by the inescapable force of time, this very body becomes known as excrement, worms, or ashes. Even one who performs actions, firmly established in austerity, having renounced enjoyment and given charity as required, again desires, “May I become a sovereign king,” and with growing thirst, does not attain happiness.’ Thus, Mucukunda poured out his heart to the Lord, recognizing the futility of worldly pursuits and the supreme shelter found only at the Lord’s feet.