Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 28
Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti
किंस्वित्तेजस्विनां तेजो भगवान् वा विभावसु: । सूर्य: सोमो महेन्द्रो वा लोकपालोऽपरोऽपि वा ॥ २८ ॥
kiṁ svit tejasvināṁ tejo bhagavān vā vibhāvasuḥ sūryaḥ somo mahendro vā loka-pālo paro ’pi vā
Are You the very splendor of all who are splendid? Or are You the divine Fire, the Sun, the Moon, mighty Indra, or perhaps a guardian ruler of some other world?
FAQs
Mucukunda is addressing Śrī Kṛṣṇa, astonished by His extraordinary effulgence and trying to understand His identity.
Because Kṛṣṇa’s radiance appears greater than that of all celestial gods; Mucukunda lists the most powerful deities and world-guardians to express that only a supreme divine being could shine like this.
It teaches reverence and discernment—when encountering genuine spiritual greatness, one should inquire humbly and recognize that all lesser powers ultimately reflect the Supreme.