Shloka 18
Kālayavana’s Rise, Dvārakā’s Founding, and Muchukunda’s Awakening (Śaraṇāgati & Brahman-Stuti)
तेनानुयातः कृष्णो ऽपि प्रविवेश महागुहाम् यत्र शेते महावीर्यो मुचुकुन्दो नरेश्वरः
tenānuyātaḥ kṛṣṇo 'pi praviveśa mahāguhām yatra śete mahāvīryo mucukundo nareśvaraḥ
Pursued by him, Krishna too entered a vast cavern—where the mighty king Muchukunda, lord among men, lay asleep.
Sage Parashara (narrating to Maitreya)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Krishna leads the pursuer into the great cave so that Muchukunda’s destined power will neutralize the threat without direct combat.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Removal of an adharmic aggressor and protection of Krishna’s mission among the Yadus
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
It sets the stage for divine justice: the sleeping king becomes the instrument through which the pursuer’s arrogance is checked, while Krishna remains untouched—showing the Lord’s sovereign orchestration of outcomes.
Through straightforward narration: Krishna does not meet force with force; he guides events into a place where dharma and a prior boon (Muchukunda’s protected sleep) naturally deliver the consequence.
Krishna is presented as the Supreme Lord who governs circumstance itself—entering the cave calmly, directing the narrative flow, and safeguarding the cosmic order while remaining beyond fear and compulsion.