Shloka 44
Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti
श्रीशुक उवाच इत्युक्तस्तं प्रणम्याह मुचुकुन्दो मुदान्वित: । ज्ञात्वा नारायणं देवं गर्गवाक्यमनुस्मरन् ॥ ४४ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ity uktas taṁ praṇamyāha mucukundo mudānvitaḥ jñātvā nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ garga-vākyam anusmaran
ศรีศุกเทวะกล่าวว่า—เมื่อได้ยินดังนั้น มุจุกุนทะได้กราบนอบน้อมพระผู้เป็นเจ้า ด้วยความปีติ ระลึกถึงถ้อยคำของฤๅษีคัรคะ จึงรู้ว่า พระกฤษณะคือพระนารายณ์ผู้เป็นปรมเทพ แล้วพระราชาจึงทูลดังนี้
Although the Lord here appears as four-handed Nārāyaṇa, we may say that Mucukunda was addressing Śrī Kṛṣṇa. All of this is taking place within the context of kṛṣṇa-līlā, the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. It is well known to Vaiṣṇavas that the four-handed forms of Viṣṇu, or Nārāyaṇa, are expansions of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Thus within the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa there may also appear viṣṇu-līlā, the activities of Viṣṇu. Such are the qualities and activities of the Supreme Godhead. Deeds that for us would be extraordinary and even impossible are commonplace, effortless pastimes for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse shows that Mucukunda recognizes Krishna as Lord Nārāyaṇa and responds with reverent surrender—bowing down—guided by remembrance of saintly testimony (Garga’s words).
After Krishna addressed him, Mucukunda understood the Lord’s divine identity and, remembering Garga’s statement, first offered obeisance and then began his prayerful reply.
Like Mucukunda, one can steady faith and discernment by recalling the teachings of genuine gurus and sādhus, letting that remembrance guide one’s response with humility and devotion.