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
किंस्वित्तेजस्विनां तेजो भगवान् वा विभावसुः, सूर्यः सोमो महेन्द्रो वा लोकपालोऽपरोऽपि वा ॥
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.