The Blessed Lord spoke with gentle gravity: “My births, my deeds, and my names are beyond counting, dear friend. Even I cannot enumerate them—they are truly infinite. At times, I have reflected upon my descents to earth alongside great souls, but know that my appearances are never limited by any particular qualities, actions, or names. “O King, my manifestations and acts stretch across all three times—past, present, and future. Even the greatest sages, tracing them in order, can never reach their end. Still, O friend, listen as I recount to you my present birth, for long ago, Brahmā himself requested me to descend in order to protect dharma. “To relieve the earth’s burden and to destroy the asuras, I was born into the Yadu dynasty, in the house of Anakadundubhi. People know me as Vasudeva, the son of Vasudeva. Evil ones such as Kalanemi, Kamsa, Pralamba, and others have met their end at my hands. Even this Yavana was burned by your own fierce gaze, O King. “I have come to this cave for your sake, to show you my favor. In the past, you prayed to me with great devotion, and I am ever devoted to my devotees. Therefore, O royal sage, choose your boons as you wish. I grant all desires. One who has my favor need never grieve again.” Śuka said: Thus addressed, Mucukunda was filled with joy. Bowing before him, recognizing him as Nārāyaṇa and recalling the words of Garga, he spoke with humility: “O Lord, people are deluded by your māyā and do not worship you. They see only misfortune and, seeking happiness, become attached to their homes, to 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 because of a misguided mind, he falls into the dark well of household life like an animal. “O Unconquered Lord, I have wasted my time, 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, counting no one else. “Intoxicated by power, I was absorbed in loud thoughts of what to do next, with ever-increasing greed and craving for sense pleasures. But you, who are never bewildered, approach suddenly—O Death!—like a snake licking at the mouse’s hole. “Once I rode in golden chariots and on mighty elephants, called ‘king of men,’ but by the inescapable force of time, this very body becomes known as excrement, worms, or ashes. Even after conquering the 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 home, as a beast for their sport. “Even one who performs actions, who is firmly established in austerity, who has renounced enjoyment and given charity as required, again desires, ‘May I become a sovereign king,’ and with growing thirst, does not attain happiness. “But when, after wandering through worldly existence, a person attains liberation, O Infallible One, then 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 that, by chance, attachment to my kingdom has been removed—something sought by the virtuous, who, desiring to enter the forest, renounce the vast expanse of land. O Master, I desire no boon other than service at your feet, which is most sought after even by those who have nothing. For who, having worshipped 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. 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—its desires undiminished—rises 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 having taken 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, O dear one, having received Kṛṣṇa’s favor, the son of Ikṣvāku circumambulated him, bowed low, and departed from the mouth of the cave. Observing the small humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realizing that the age of Kali had come, he set out toward the northern direction. Endowed with austerity and faith, resolute, free from attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind on Kṛṣṇa and entered Gandhamādana. Reaching Badarī-āśrama, the 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 the Yavana forces. There, he destroyed the barbarian armies and brought their wealth to Dvārakā. As the wealth was being transported with cows and men, Acyuta urged on, and Jarāsandha, the king with twenty-three armies, arrived. Seeing the enemy army advancing swiftly and forcefully, the two Mādhavas, adopting human ways, quickly fled, O King. Abandoning abundant wealth, though fearless, they appeared afraid, like cowards, and traveled many yojanas on foot with their lotus-like feet. Seeing them flee, the mighty king of Magadha laughed and pursued them with his divisions of chariots, unaware of their true power. After running a great distance and becoming exhausted, the two climbed a high mountain called Pravarṣaṇa, where it always rains. Unable to find their tracks on the mountain, the king, thinking them hidden, set fire to the mountain on all sides with burning materials. Then, leaping swiftly from the burning slope, both descended from the ten-yojana-high peak to the ground below.