Shloka 31
Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti
वयं तु पुरुषव्याघ्र ऐक्ष्वाका: क्षत्रबन्धव: । मुचुकुन्द इति प्रोक्तो यौवनाश्वात्मज: प्रभो ॥ ३१ ॥
vayaṁ tu puruṣa-vyāghra aikṣvākāḥ kṣatra-bandhavaḥ mucukunda iti prokto yauvanāśvātmajaḥ prabho
ഹേ പുരുഷവ്യാഘ്രാ! ഞങ്ങൾ ഇക്ഷ്വാകുവംശത്തിലെ പതിത ക്ഷത്രിയരാണ്. പ്രഭോ, എന്റെ പേര് മുചുകുന്ദൻ; ഞാൻ യൗവനാശ്വന്റെ പുത്രൻ.
It is common in Vedic culture that a kṣatriya will humbly introduce himself as kṣatra-bandhu, a mere relative in a kṣatriya family, or in other words a fallen kṣatriya. In ancient Vedic culture, to claim a particular status on the basis of one’s family relations was itself indicative of a fallen position. Kṣatriyas and brāhmaṇas should be given status according to their merit, by their qualities of work and character. When the caste system in India became degraded, people proudly claimed to be relatives of kṣatriyas or brāhmaṇas, though in the past such a claim, unaccompanied by tangible qualifications, indicated a fallen position.
FAQs
Mucukunda is a king of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, the son of Yauvanāśva, who introduces himself to Lord Kṛṣṇa after awakening from his long sleep.
Having just seen Kṛṣṇa’s extraordinary presence, Mucukunda respectfully identifies himself—his lineage and name—as part of a humble introduction to the Lord.
Even with high birth or status, one should approach God with humility, clarity, and reverence—placing devotion above pride in identity.