Mucukunda, the noble king of the Ikshvaku lineage, stood before the radiant Lord, his heart stirred by awe and gratitude. Addressing Krishna, he spoke with humility, “O tiger among men, we are kshatriyas of the Ikshvaku clan. I am Mucukunda, son of Yuvanashva. Exhausted by long years of wakefulness, my senses dulled by sleep, I lay here alone in this cave—until someone awakened me just now. That person, consumed by his own wickedness, was reduced to ashes; immediately after, you, glorious and renowned for subduing enemies, appeared before me. Your unbearable radiance overwhelms us; O illustrious one, you are worthy of all honor among embodied beings.” Hearing these words, the Lord, creator of all beings, smiled gently, his voice deep as thunderclouds. He replied, “O friend, my births, deeds, and names are countless—even I cannot enumerate them, for they are infinite. Sometimes, I have examined my earthly births alongside great beings, but my incarnations are never defined by qualities, deeds, or names. 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 as I speak of my present birth, for I was requested by Brahma long ago 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 by your fierce gaze, O king. I have come to this cave for your sake, to show you favor; you prayed to me greatly in the past, and I am always 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 narrates: Thus addressed, Mucukunda was filled with joy. He bowed to Krishna, recognizing Narayana and recalling the words of the sage Garga. Mucukunda then 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, deeply attached to children, wife, wealth, and possessions, tormented by endless anxieties. In this body, 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 and craving for sense pleasures; but you, unbewildered, suddenly approach, O Death, like a snake licking a mouse’s hole. Once, riding in golden chariots 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, renouncing 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 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: Thus, having been blessed by Krishna, the son of Ikshvaku circumambulated him, bowed deeply, and departed from the mouth of the cave. As Mucukunda emerged, he observed the small humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realized that the age of Kali had arrived. With austerity and faith, resolute and free from attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind on Krishna and journeyed northward. He entered Gandhamadana, and finally reached Badari-ashrama, the sacred abode of Nara and Narayana. There, enduring all dualities and remaining peaceful, he worshipped Hari through austerities. Meanwhile, the Lord returned to the city surrounded by Yavanas, slew the barbarian forces, and brought their wealth to Dwaraka. As the wealth was being transported with cows and men, urged by Acyuta, Jarasandha, the mighty king with twenty-three armies, arrived. Seeing the enemy army advancing swiftly and forcefully, Krishna and his companion, adopting human ways, quickly fled, O King.