The wicked Yavana, too, was consumed by his own evil, reduced to ashes in an instant. It was then, O glorious subduer of enemies, that you appeared—your radiance so intense that no one could bear to look upon you. Your brilliance was overwhelming, and all present recognized that you were truly worthy of the highest honor among embodied beings. As the king spoke thus, the Lord—the creator of all beings—replied with a gentle smile, his voice deep and resonant like thunderclouds. The Blessed Lord said, “My births, my deeds, and my names are without number, my friend; even I could not enumerate them, for they are truly infinite. Sometimes I reflect upon my descents to earth alongside great souls, yet my appearances are never limited by qualities, deeds, or names. “O King, my births and actions span the three divisions of time—past, present, and future. Even the greatest sages, tracing them one by one, cannot reach their end. Still, my friend, listen as I recount my present birth, for long ago Brahmā requested me to descend for the protection of dharma. “To relieve the earth of its burden and to destroy the asuras, I have descended into the Yadu dynasty, into the house of Anakadundubhi. People call me Vasudeva, son of Vasudeva. Kalanemi, Kaṁsa, Pralamba, and many 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 my favor; for in ages past you prayed to me with great devotion, and I am always devoted to my devotees. Therefore, O royal sage, choose whatever boons you desire; I grant all wishes. One who receives my grace need never grieve again.” Śuka continued: Thus addressed, Mucukunda was filled with joy. He bowed before the Lord, recognizing him as Nārāyaṇa, and remembered the words once spoken to him by Garga. Mucukunda spoke humbly, “O Lord, people are deluded by your māyā and do not worship you; seeing only misfortune, they become attached to home, to women and men, and are deceived in their search for happiness. O sinless one, when a person attains this rare human birth, with a sound body and without great effort, yet fails to 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 life has passed fruitlessly—intoxicated by royal splendor, absorbed in the mortal conception of self, deeply attached to children, wife, wealth, and possessions, tormented by endless anxieties. In this body, which is like a clay pot, I was called ‘king of men,’ surrounded by chariots, elephants, horses, and armies, roaming the earth in arrogance, considering no one else. “Intoxicated, I was absorbed in thoughts of what to do next, my greed ever increasing, craving pleasures of the senses; but you, ever alert, approach suddenly, O Death, like a snake licking the hole of a mouse. Once I rode in golden chariots or on mighty elephants, called ‘king of men,’ but by the inescapable force of time, this very body becomes nothing but excrement, worms, or ashes. “Having conquered all directions, assuming a form as vast as the earth, seated on a splendid throne and honored by other kings, a man is still led, O Lord, like a plaything of women into the pleasures of home, as a beast for their sport. Even one who performs austerities, renounces enjoyment, and gives charity as prescribed, again desires to be a sovereign king, and with growing thirst, finds no happiness. “When, after wandering long in worldly existence, a person finally attains liberation, O Infallible One, it is then that he comes into the company of the virtuous; and in that company, at that very moment, devotion to you, Lord of all, arises. O Lord, I consider it your special grace that, by chance, attachment to my kingdom has been removed—something sought by the virtuous, who renounce their dominions to enter the forest. “O Master, I desire no boon other than service at your feet, which is most sought after even by those who have renounced everything; for who, having worshiped you, the giver of liberation, would choose any other boon that binds the soul? Therefore, O Lord, abandoning all desires, 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 by suffering and remorse, afflicted by enemies such as thirst, never finding peace, I have somehow come to your lotus feet, O Supreme Soul who gives shelter. 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 unwavering, for even when tempted by boons, you have not been disturbed by desires. Know that my tempting you with 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. “Though, as a warrior, you have slain creatures in hunting and other ways, by performing this austerity and taking refuge in me, you will cast off all 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 favored by Kṛṣṇa, the son of Ikṣvāku circumambulated the Lord, bowed down, and departed from the cave’s mouth. Observing the small humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realizing that the age of Kali had arrived, he turned toward the north. Endowed with austerity and faith, resolute, free from attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind on Kṛṣṇa and entered Gandhamādana. Reaching Badarī-āśrama, the sacred abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa, he endured all dualities, remained peaceful, and worshipped Hari through austerities. Meanwhile, the Lord returned to the city surrounded by Yavanas, destroyed the barbarian forces, and brought their wealth back to Dvārakā. As the wealth was being transported with cows and men, Jarāsandha, the king with twenty-three armies, arrived at Acyuta’s urging. Seeing the enemy armies advancing swiftly and powerfully, the two Mādhavas, adopting the ways of men, quickly fled, O King. Though fearless, they abandoned the abundant wealth and appeared afraid, like cowards, traveling many yojanas on foot with their lotus-like feet. Witnessing their flight, the mighty king of Magadha laughed and pursued them with his chariot divisions, unaware of their true power.