Within the quiet depths of a mountain cave, the noble Mucukunda, son of Yuvanashva and scion of the Ikshvaku dynasty, awoke from his long slumber. His senses still dulled by sleep, he gazed upon a radiant figure who had entered the forest, walking with lotus-petal-like feet among the thorny undergrowth. Filled with wonder, Mucukunda addressed the mysterious visitor: "Who are you, who have come here into this wild place? What brilliance could compare to yours—even the Lord, fire, sun, moon, Indra, guardian of the worlds, or any other radiant being? I see you as the foremost among the gods of gods, for your light dispels the darkness of this cave as a lamp banishes night. O best of men, if you are pleased, please tell us—who are eager to serve you without fault—about your birth, deeds, and lineage. As for me, O tiger among men, I am Mucukunda, son of Yuvanashva, of the Ikshvaku clan, kshatriya kin. Exhausted from long wakefulness, I lay here alone until someone awakened me just now. That person, surely destroyed by his own wickedness, was reduced to ashes; immediately after, you, glorious and renowned for subduing enemies, appeared. Such is your unbearable radiance that we cannot gaze upon you. O illustrious one, among embodied beings you are truly worthy of honor." Hearing these words, the Lord—the creator of all beings—smiled, his voice deep as thunderclouds. He replied, "My births, deeds, and names are countless, O friend; even I cannot enumerate them, for they are infinite. Sometimes I have examined earthly births with great beings, but my incarnations are never defined by qualities, deeds, or names. O king, my births and deeds span all three times—past, present, and future; even the greatest sages, tracing them in order, never reach their end. Yet, listen now as I speak of my present birth. Long ago, Brahma requested me to protect dharma. To relieve the earth's burden and destroy the asuras, I descended into the Yadu lineage, in 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 devoted to my devotees. Choose your boons, O royal sage; I grant you all desires. 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 Narayana, and recalled the teachings of the sage Garga. With humility, Mucukunda spoke: "O Lord, people are deluded by your maya 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—somehow, 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 time has passed fruitlessly, intoxicated by royal opulence, absorbed in the mortal conception of self, and deeply attached to children, wife, wealth, and possessions, 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, not counting anyone else. Intoxicated, I was absorbed in loud thoughts of what to do next, with ever-increasing greed, craving for sense pleasures; but You, unbewildered, suddenly approach, O Death, like a snake licking 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. Having conquered the circle of directions, assuming a form as vast as the earth, seated on a splendid throne and honored by other kings, a man is led, O Lord, like a plaything of women, into the pleasures of the home, as a beast for their sport. Even one who performs actions, firmly established in austerity, having renounced enjoyment and giving charity as required, again desires, 'May I become a sovereign king,' and with growing thirst, does not attain happiness. When, after wandering in worldly existence, a person attains liberation, O Infallible One, it is then that he gains the association of the virtuous; and when such association occurs, at that very moment, devotion to You, Lord of all, arises. O Lord, I consider it Your favor upon me that, by chance, attachment to kingdom has been removed—something sought by the virtuous, who, desiring to enter the forest, renounce the unbroken expanse of land. O Master, I do not desire any boon other than service at Your feet, which is most sought after even by those who have nothing; for who, having worshiped You, the giver of liberation, would choose any other boon that binds the soul? Therefore, O Lord, abandoning all desires everywhere, which are bound to the qualities of passion, ignorance, and goodness, I approach You—the pure, qualityless, nondual, supreme Person, who is pure consciousness. Long tormented here by suffering and remorse, afflicted by enemies such as thirst, never finding peace, I have somehow come to Your lotus feet, O shelter-giving Supreme Soul; protect me, O Lord, who am helpless, with fearlessness, immortality, and freedom from sorrow." The Blessed Lord then replied, "O great king, ruler of the earth, your mind is pure and steadfast, for even when tempted by boons, it has not been disturbed by desires. Know that your being tempted by boons was only to test your vigilance; for the mind of those with exclusive devotion is never shaken by blessings. For those who practice yoga but lack devotion, O king, the mind, with its undiminished desires, is seen to rise again, even after control through breath and other means. Roam the earth as you wish, with your mind absorbed in Me; may you always have unwavering devotion to Me. While established in the duty of a warrior, you have killed creatures in hunting and other ways; but, being intent on this austerity and taking refuge in Me, cast off sin. In your next birth, O king, you will become the best of twice-born, a supreme friend to all beings, and you will attain Me alone." Śuka continued the tale: Thus, having been favored by Krishna, the son of Ikshvaku circumambulated Him, bowed down, and departed from the mouth of the cave. Observing the small humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realizing that the age of Kali had arrived, he went toward the northern direction. Endowed with austerity and faith, resolute, free from attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind on Krishna and entered Gandhamadana, seeking the highest path.