Shloka 48
Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti
कलेवरेऽस्मिन् घटकुड्यसन्निभे निरूढमानो नरदेव इत्यहम् । वृतो रथेभाश्वपदात्यनीकपै- र्गां पर्यटंस्त्वागणयन् सुदुर्मद: ॥ ४८ ॥
kalevare ’smin ghaṭa-kuḍya-sannibhe nirūḍha-māno nara-deva ity aham vṛto rathebhāśva-padāty-anīkapair gāṁ paryaṭaṁs tvāgaṇayan su-durmadaḥ
In tiefem Hochmut hielt ich mich für diesen Leib, ein materielles Ding wie ein Krug oder eine Mauer, und wähnte mich als „Gott unter Menschen“. Umgeben von Wagen, Elefanten, Reiterei, Fußvolk und Feldherren zog ich über die Erde und achtete Dich in verblendetem Stolz nicht.
FAQs
This verse shows that even a king, surrounded by armies, can become intoxicated with false prestige and neglect the Supreme Lord; true wisdom is to recognize the body’s fragility and cultivate humility before Krishna.
After receiving Krishna’s mercy and awakening spiritually, Mucukunda admits how royal opulence made him proud and forgetful of God, and he offers repentance as part of his surrender.
Treat status, followers, and achievements as temporary; remember the body’s vulnerability, and consciously practice gratitude and devotion so success does not turn into ego.