The Liberation of Muchukunda

Verse 1 (padma.6.246.1)

श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच- अथोपनयनं नाम चकारानकदुंदुभिः । पुत्रयोर्वेदविधिना तस्मिन्वै रामकृष्णयोः ।

śrīmaheśvara uvāca athopanayanaṁ nāma cakārānakaduṁdubhiḥ putrayorvedavidhinā tasminvai rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ

Shri Maheshvara said: Then Anakadundubhi performed the sacred-thread investiture, according to Vedic rite, for his two sons Rama and Krishna.

Verse 2 (padma.6.246.2)

आचार्येण हि गर्गेण संस्कृतौ रामकेशवौ । पंडितैर्वैष्णवैर्दिव्यैः स्नापनैर्विमलैः शुभैः ।

ācāryeṇa hi gargeṇa saṁskṛtau rāmakeśavau paṁḍitairvaiṣṇavairdivyaiḥ snāpanairvimalaiḥ śubhaiḥ

Rama and Keshava were consecrated by the teacher Garga, with pure, auspicious purificatory bathings performed by learned, divine Vaishnavas.

Verse 3 (padma.6.246.3)

कृतसंस्कारकर्माणौ रामकृष्णौ महाबलौ । सांदीपनेर्गृहं गत्वा नमस्कृत्य महात्मनः ।

kṛtasaṁskārakarmāṇau rāmakṛṣṇau mahābalau sāṁdīpanergṛhaṁ gatvā namaskṛtya mahātmanaḥ

Their rites of consecration duly performed, Rama and Krishna, mighty ones, went to the house of Sandipani, and, bowing to that great soul —

Verse 4 (padma.6.246.4)

अधीत्य वेदशास्त्राणि तस्मात्तौ द्विजपुंगवात् । मृतं पुत्रं समानीय ददतुस्तस्य दक्षिणाम् ।

adhītya vedaśāstrāṇi tasmāttau dvijapuṁgavāt mṛtaṁ putraṁ samānīya dadatustasya dakṣiṇām

having studied the Vedas and scriptures from that foremost of the twice-born, they brought back his dead son and gave him as the teacher's fee.

Verse 5 (padma.6.246.5)

आशिषो वचनं लब्ध्वा गुरोस्तस्मान्महात्मनः । तस्मै प्रणम्य मथुरां जग्मतुर्यदुपुंगवौ ।

āśiṣo vacanaṁ labdhvā gurostasmānmahātmanaḥ tasmai praṇamya mathurāṁ jagmaturyadupuṁgavau

Having received the blessing-word from that great-souled teacher, and bowing to him, those two foremost of the Yadus went to Mathura.

Verse 6 (padma.6.246.6)

अथ कृष्णेन निहतं श्रुत्वा कंसं दुरासदम् । श्वशुरस्तस्य नृपतेर्जरासंधो महाबलः ।

atha kṛṣṇena nihataṁ śrutvā kaṁsaṁ durāsadam śvaśurastasya nṛpaterjarāsaṁdho mahābalaḥ

Then, hearing that the formidable Kamsa had been slain by Krishna, that king's father-in-law, the mighty Jarasandha —

Verse 7 (padma.6.246.7)

अक्षौहिणीसहस्रैस्तु सेनानीकैर्महाबलैः । कृष्णं हंतुं समागत्य रुरोध मथुरां पुरीम् ।

akṣauhiṇīsahasraistu senānīkairmahābalaiḥ kṛṣṇaṁ haṁtuṁ samāgatya rurodha mathurāṁ purīm

with a thousand akshauhinis of mighty troops, came to slay Krishna and besieged the city of Mathura.

Verse 8 (padma.6.246.8)

रामकृष्णौ महावीर्यौ विनिर्गत्य पुरोत्तमात् । गजवाजिसमाकीर्णं तद्बलौघमपश्यताम् ।

rāmakṛṣṇau mahāvīryau vinirgatya purottamāt gajavājisamākīrṇaṁ tadbalaughamapaśyatām

Rama and Krishna, of great valor, going forth from that best of cities, beheld that army teeming with elephants and horses.

Verse 9 (padma.6.246.9)

सस्मार वासुदेवस्तु पूर्वं रूपं सनातनम् । तस्य स्मरणमात्रेण दारुको विष्णुसारथिः ।

sasmāra vāsudevastu pūrvaṁ rūpaṁ sanātanam tasya smaraṇamātreṇa dāruko viṣṇusārathiḥ

Vasudeva then recalled his own former, eternal form. By the mere thought of it, Daruka, Vishnu's charioteer —

Verse 10 (padma.6.246.10)

सुग्रीवपुष्पकं नाम समानीय महारथम् । वाजिभिर्दिव्यपुष्पाद्यैरुह्यमानं सनातनम् ।

sugrīvapuṣpakaṁ nāma samānīya mahāratham vājibhirdivyapuṣpādyairuhyamānaṁ sanātanam

bringing that great, eternal chariot named Sugriva-Pushpaka, drawn by the divine horses Pushpa and the others —

Verse 11 (padma.6.246.11)

दिव्यायुधैरुपेतं तं शंखचक्रगदादिभिः । वैनतेयपताकेन शोभितं देवदुर्जयम् ।

divyāyudhairupetaṁ taṁ śaṁkhacakragadādibhiḥ vainateyapatākena śobhitaṁ devadurjayam

equipped with divine weapons — conch, discus, mace, and the rest — adorned with the banner of Garuda, unconquerable even by gods —

Verse 12 (padma.6.246.12)

अवनीं प्राप्य गोविंदं प्रणम्य हरिसारथिः । प्रददौ स्यंदनं शुभ्रं सायुधाश्वसमन्वितम् ।

avanīṁ prāpya goviṁdaṁ praṇamya harisārathiḥ pradadau syaṁdanaṁ śubhraṁ sāyudhāśvasamanvitam

arriving on earth, and bowing to Govinda, that charioteer of Hari presented that resplendent chariot, together with its weapons and horses.

Verse 13 (padma.6.246.13)

दृष्ट्वा हर्षेण कृष्णोऽपि परिणीय महारथम् । आरुरोहाग्रजेनैव स्तूयमानो मरुद्गणैः ।

dṛṣṭvā harṣeṇa kṛṣṇo'pi pariṇīya mahāratham ārurohāgrajenaiva stūyamāno marudgaṇaiḥ

Seeing it, Krishna too, with joy, circling that great chariot, mounted it together with his elder brother, being praised by the hosts of Maruts.

Verse 14 (padma.6.246.14)

चतुर्भुजं वपुर्भूत्वा शंखचक्रगदासिभृत् । किरीटी कुंडली स्रग्वी संग्रामाभिमुखं ययौ ।

caturbhujaṁ vapurbhūtvā śaṁkhacakragadāsibhṛt kirīṭī kuṁḍalī sragvī saṁgrāmābhimukhaṁ yayau

Taking on a four-armed body, bearing conch, discus, mace, and sword, crowned, wearing earrings and a garland, he advanced to face the battle.

Verse 15 (padma.6.246.15)

बलदेवोऽपि मुशलं लांगलं गृह्य वीर्यवान् । तत्सैन्यं हंतुमारेभे महेश्वर इवापरः ।

baladevo'pi muśalaṁ lāṁgalaṁ gṛhya vīryavān tatsainyaṁ haṁtumārebhe maheśvara ivāparaḥ

Baladeva too, that valorous one, taking up his club and plough, began to slay that army, like a second Maheshvara.

Verse 16 (padma.6.246.16)

दारुकश्च रथं शीघ्रं नोदयामास तद्रणे । तृणगुल्मलताक्रांते काननेऽग्निमिवानिलः ।

dārukaśca rathaṁ śīghraṁ nodayāmāsa tadraṇe tṛṇagulmalatākrāṁte kānane'gnimivānilaḥ

Daruka drove the chariot swiftly into that battle, like the wind driving fire through a forest overrun with grass, shrubs, and creepers.

Verse 17 (padma.6.246.17)

ततो गदाभिः परिघैः शक्तिभिर्मुद्गरैस्तथा । तद्रथं छादयामासुर्जरासंधस्य सैनिकाः ।

tato gadābhiḥ parighaiḥ śaktibhirmudgaraistathā tadrathaṁ chādayāmāsurjarāsaṁdhasya sainikāḥ

Then, with maces, iron clubs, javelins, and hammers, Jarasandha's soldiers covered that chariot with a hail of weapons.

Verse 18 (padma.6.246.18)

चक्रेणैव हरिस्तूर्णं तानि चिच्छेद लीलया । बहूनि तृणकाष्ठानि महावह्निरिवार्चिषा ।

cakreṇaiva haristūrṇaṁ tāni ciccheda līlayā bahūni tṛṇakāṣṭhāni mahāvahnirivārciṣā

With his discus alone, Hari swiftly cut them all down with ease, as a great fire with its flame consumes many bits of grass and wood.

Verse 19 (padma.6.246.19)

ततः शार्ङ्गं समादाय सायकैरक्षयैः शितैः । चिच्छेद तानि सैन्यानि न प्राज्ञायत किंचन ।

tataḥ śārṅgaṁ samādāya sāyakairakṣayaiḥ śitaiḥ ciccheda tāni sainyāni na prājñāyata kiṁcana

Then, taking up the Sharnga bow, with sharp, inexhaustible arrows, he cut down those armies — nothing could be discerned any more.

Verse 20 (padma.6.246.20)

चक्रच्छिन्नास्यकमलाः केचित्तत्र महाबलाः । गदया चूर्णिताः केचित्केचिदन्यैर्महारणे ।

cakracchinnāsyakamalāḥ kecittatra mahābalāḥ gadayā cūrṇitāḥ kecitkecidanyairmahāraṇe

Some mighty warriors there had their lotus-faces severed by the discus; some were crushed by the mace, others by other weapons, in that great battle.

Verse 21 (padma.6.246.21)

केचिच्चैवासिनाछिन्नास्तथान्ये शरताडिताः । लांगलाग्रहतग्रीवा मुशलाहतमस्तकाः ।

keciccaivāsināchinnāstathānye śaratāḍitāḥ lāṁgalāgrahatagrīvā muśalāhatamastakāḥ

Some were cut down by the sword, others struck by arrows; some had their necks struck by the tip of the plough, others their heads struck by the club.

Verse 22 (padma.6.246.22)

क्षणेन तद्बलं सर्वं निहत्य मधुसूदनः । शंखं दध्मौ यदुश्रेष्ठो लयाशनि निभस्वनम् ।

kṣaṇena tadbalaṁ sarvaṁ nihatya madhusūdanaḥ śaṁkhaṁ dadhmau yaduśreṣṭho layāśani nibhasvanam

Having slain that entire army in an instant, Madhusudana, foremost of the Yadus, blew his conch, with a sound like the thunderbolt of universal dissolution.

Verse 23 (padma.6.246.23)

शंखरावविनिर्भिन्नहृदयास्ते महाबलाः । योधाः साश्वाः सनागाश्च पतितास्त्यक्तजीविताः ।

śaṁkharāvavinirbhinnahṛdayāste mahābalāḥ yodhāḥ sāśvāḥ sanāgāśca patitāstyaktajīvitāḥ

Those mighty warriors, their hearts shattered by the blast of the conch, together with their horses and elephants, fell down, their lives given up.

Verse 24 (padma.6.246.24)

अक्षौहिणीसहस्रं तु साश्वं सरथकुंजरम् । कृष्णेनैकेन निहतं निःशेषं तदभूद्बलम् ।

akṣauhiṇīsahasraṁ tu sāśvaṁ sarathakuṁjaram kṛṣṇenaikena nihataṁ niḥśeṣaṁ tadabhūdbalam

That army of a thousand akshauhinis, with its horses, chariots, and elephants, was slain entirely, to the last man, by Krishna alone —

Verse 25 (padma.6.246.25)

निहतं वासुदेवेन प्रहरार्द्धेन शार्ङ्गिणा । ततो देवगणाः सर्वे हर्षनिर्भरचेतसः ।

nihataṁ vāsudevena praharārddhena śārṅgiṇā tato devagaṇāḥ sarve harṣanirbharacetasaḥ

slain by Vasudeva, the wielder of the Sharnga bow, within half a watch. Then all the hosts of gods, hearts overflowing with joy,

Verse 26 (padma.6.246.26)

ववृषुः पुष्पवर्षाणि साधुसाध्विति चाब्रुवन् । सर्वमप्यवनीभारं विमुच्य धरणीधरः ।

vavṛṣuḥ puṣpavarṣāṇi sādhusādhviti cābruvan sarvamapyavanībhāraṁ vimucya dharaṇīdharaḥ

rained down showers of flowers, and cried, "Well done, well done!" Having thus relieved the earth's entire burden, that sustainer of the earth,

Verse 27 (padma.6.246.27)

संस्तूयमानस्त्रिदशैर्बभौ संग्राममूर्द्धनि । निहतं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा जरासंधोऽतिवीर्यवान् ।

saṁstūyamānastridaśairbabhau saṁgrāmamūrddhani nihataṁ svabalaṁ dṛṣṭvā jarāsaṁdho'tivīryavān

praised by the gods, shone at the head of the battlefield. Seeing his own army slain, Jarasandha, of exceeding valor —

Verse 28 (padma.6.246.28)

योद्धुमभ्याययौ तूर्णं बलदेवेन दुर्मतिः । तयोर्युद्धमभूद्धोरं संग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनोः ।

yoddhumabhyāyayau tūrṇaṁ baladevena durmatiḥ tayoryuddhamabhūddhoraṁ saṁgrāmeṣvanivartinoḥ

that ill-minded one swiftly advanced to fight with Baladeva. A terrible battle then arose between those two, neither ever turning back in battle.

Verse 29 (padma.6.246.29)

रामो लांगलमादाय रथं तस्य ससारथिम् । विनिपात्य रणे शूरो गृहीत्वा तं महाबलम् ।

rāmo lāṁgalamādāya rathaṁ tasya sasārathim vinipātya raṇe śūro gṛhītvā taṁ mahābalam

Rama, taking up his plough, felled his chariot together with its charioteer in battle; that hero, seizing that mighty one —

Verse 30 (padma.6.246.30)

उद्यम्य मुशलं तूर्णं तं हंतुमुपचक्रमे । प्राणसंशयमापन्नं जरासंधं नृपोत्तमम् ।

udyamya muśalaṁ tūrṇaṁ taṁ haṁtumupacakrame prāṇasaṁśayamāpannaṁ jarāsaṁdhaṁ nṛpottamam

raising his club swiftly, began to slay him. King Jarasandha, brought to the point of death,

Verse 31 (padma.6.246.31)

कृतं रामेण बलिना सिंहेनेव महागजम् । दृष्ट्वा कृष्णोग्रजं प्राह न हंतव्य इति प्रभुः ।

kṛtaṁ rāmeṇa balinā siṁheneva mahāgajam dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇograjaṁ prāha na haṁtavya iti prabhuḥ

was thus reduced by mighty Rama, as a lion overpowers a great elephant. Seeing this, Lord Krishna said to his elder brother, "He should not be slain."

Verse 32 (padma.6.246.32)

मोचयामास धर्मात्मा जरासंधं महामतिः । विमुच्य कृष्णवाक्येन शत्रुं संकर्षणोऽव्ययः ।

mocayāmāsa dharmātmā jarāsaṁdhaṁ mahāmatiḥ vimucya kṛṣṇavākyena śatruṁ saṁkarṣaṇo'vyayaḥ

That righteous, great-minded one released Jarasandha. Having freed his enemy at Krishna's word, the unfailing Sankarshana —

Verse 33 (padma.6.246.33)

सानुजो रथमारुह्य मथुरां प्रविवेश ह । स कालयवनं प्राप्य महावीर्यं बलान्वितम् ।

sānujo rathamāruhya mathurāṁ praviveśa ha sa kālayavanaṁ prāpya mahāvīryaṁ balānvitam

together with his younger brother, mounted the chariot and entered Mathura. That Jarasandha, then, approaching the mighty, greatly valorous Kalayavana —

Verse 34 (padma.6.246.34)

पुत्रयोर्वसुदेवस्य समाचष्ट पराक्रमम् । दानवानां वधं चैव कंसस्य निधनं तथा ।

putrayorvasudevasya samācaṣṭa parākramam dānavānāṁ vadhaṁ caiva kaṁsasya nidhanaṁ tathā

told him of the prowess of Vasudeva's two sons — the slaying of the demons, and likewise the death of Kamsa —

Verse 35 (padma.6.246.35)

अक्षौहिणीनां च वधं तथा स्वस्य पराजयम् । सर्वं निवेदयामास कृष्णस्य चरितं महत् ।

akṣauhiṇīnāṁ ca vadhaṁ tathā svasya parājayam sarvaṁ nivedayāmāsa kṛṣṇasya caritaṁ mahat

and the slaughter of his akshauhinis, and likewise his own defeat — he related all of it, that great story of Krishna's deeds.

Verse 36 (padma.6.246.36)

तच्छ्रुत्वा यवनः क्रुद्धो महाबलपराक्रमैः । म्लेच्छकोटिसहस्रैस्तु संवृतो मदसंयुतैः ।

tacchrutvā yavanaḥ kruddho mahābalaparākramaiḥ mlecchakoṭisahasraistu saṁvṛto madasaṁyutaiḥ

Hearing this, that Yavana, enraged, surrounded by thousands of millions of Mlecchas of great strength and valor, intoxicated with pride,

Verse 37 (padma.6.246.37)

मगधाधिपतेस्तस्य सहायार्थं महाबलः । तेनैव सहितस्तूर्णं जगाम मथुरां पुरीम् ।

magadhādhipatestasya sahāyārthaṁ mahābalaḥ tenaiva sahitastūrṇaṁ jagāma mathurāṁ purīm

that mighty one, for the aid of that lord of Magadha, together with him, swiftly went to the city of Mathura,

Verse 38 (padma.6.246.38)

बलैराच्छाद्य पृथिवीं नानाजनपदान्विताम् । संनिवेश्य महासैन्यं रुरोध मथुरां पुरीम् ।

balairācchādya pṛthivīṁ nānājanapadānvitām saṁniveśya mahāsainyaṁ rurodha mathurāṁ purīm

covering the earth, filled with various realms, with his troops; having stationed his great army, he besieged the city of Mathura.

Verse 39 (padma.6.246.39)

कृष्णोऽपि चिंतयित्वाऽथ पौराणां कुशलं तदा । ययाचे सागरं भूमिं निवासार्थं जनस्य च ।

kṛṣṇo'pi ciṁtayitvā'tha paurāṇāṁ kuśalaṁ tadā yayāce sāgaraṁ bhūmiṁ nivāsārthaṁ janasya ca

Krishna then, considering the welfare of the citizens, entreated the ocean for land, for the dwelling of his people.

Verse 40 (padma.6.246.40)

त्रिंशद्योजनविस्तीर्णां ददौ कृष्णस्य सागरः । असृजत्पयसां मध्ये तत्र द्वारवतीं पुरीम् ।

triṁśadyojanavistīrṇāṁ dadau kṛṣṇasya sāgaraḥ asṛjatpayasāṁ madhye tatra dvāravatīṁ purīm

The ocean gave Krishna land extending thirty yojanas; there, in the midst of the waters, he created the city of Dvaravati,

Verse 41 (padma.6.246.41)

बहुप्रासादसंयुक्तां हेमप्राकारतोरणाम् । नानामणिमयैर्दिव्यैर्गृहपंक्तिभिरावृताम् ।

bahuprāsādasaṁyuktāṁ hemaprākāratoraṇām nānāmaṇimayairdivyairgṛhapaṁktibhirāvṛtām

filled with many palaces, with golden ramparts and archways, encircled by rows of divine houses set with various jewels,

Verse 42 (padma.6.246.42)

उद्यानैश्च तथा रम्यैस्तडागैर्बहुभिर्युताम् । असृजत्पुंडरीकाक्षो यथेंद्रस्यामरावतीम् ।

udyānaiśca tathā ramyaistaḍāgairbahubhiryutām asṛjatpuṁḍarīkākṣo yatheṁdrasyāmarāvatīm

and likewise with delightful gardens, endowed with many lakes — the lotus-eyed one created it, like Indra's own Amaravati.

Verse 43 (padma.6.246.43)

सुषुप्तान्मथुरायां तु पौरांस्तत्र जनार्दनः । उद्धृत्य सहसा रात्रौ द्वारावत्यां निवेशयत् ।

suṣuptānmathurāyāṁ tu paurāṁstatra janārdanaḥ uddhṛtya sahasā rātrau dvārāvatyāṁ niveśayat

Janardana, taking up the citizens of Mathura, sleeping there, suddenly by night, settled them in Dvaravati.

Verse 44 (padma.6.246.44)

प्रबुद्धास्ते जनाः सर्वे पुत्रदारसमन्विताः । हेमहर्म्यतलेविष्टा विस्मयं परमं ययुः ।

prabuddhāste janāḥ sarve putradārasamanvitāḥ hemaharmyataleviṣṭā vismayaṁ paramaṁ yayuḥ

Awakening, all those people, together with their sons and wives, found themselves seated upon golden mansion-floors, and were struck with the greatest astonishment.

Verse 45 (padma.6.246.45)

बहुभिर्धनधान्यैश्च दिव्यवस्त्रविभूषणैः । परिपूर्णैरिवाभोगैर्गृहमुख्यैः समावृताः ।

bahubhirdhanadhānyaiśca divyavastravibhūṣaṇaiḥ paripūrṇairivābhogairgṛhamukhyaiḥ samāvṛtāḥ

Surrounded by fine houses, filled as if with abundance — with much wealth and grain, and divine garments and ornaments,

Verse 46 (padma.6.246.46)

तस्मिन्प्रहृष्टाः संतस्थुर्दिवि देवगणा इव । यवनेन तदा योद्धुं रामकृष्णौ महाबलौ ।

tasminprahṛṣṭāḥ saṁtasthurdivi devagaṇā iva yavanena tadā yoddhuṁ rāmakṛṣṇau mahābalau

they dwelt there greatly rejoicing, like the hosts of gods in heaven. Then, to fight with that Yavana, Rama and Krishna, both of great might,

Verse 47 (padma.6.246.47)

विनिर्ययतुरात्मेशौ मथुराया बहिस्तदा । रामो लांगलमादाय मुशलं च महारथः ।

viniryayaturātmeśau mathurāyā bahistadā rāmo lāṁgalamādāya muśalaṁ ca mahārathaḥ

those two masters of the self, went forth outside Mathura. Rama, that great warrior, taking up his plough and club,

Verse 48 (padma.6.246.48)

जघान समरे क्रुद्धो यवनानां महद्बलम् । कृष्णस्तु शार्ङ्गमासज्य बाणैरग्निशिखोपमैः ।

jaghāna samare kruddho yavanānāṁ mahadbalam kṛṣṇastu śārṅgamāsajya bāṇairagniśikhopamaiḥ

in fury slew, in battle, the great army of the Yavanas. Krishna, taking up the Sharnga bow, with arrows like flames of fire —

Verse 49 (padma.6.246.49)

निर्ददाह बलं सर्वं म्लेच्छानां देवकीसुतः । निहतं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा स कालयवनो बली ।

nirdadāha balaṁ sarvaṁ mlecchānāṁ devakīsutaḥ nihataṁ svabalaṁ dṛṣṭvā sa kālayavano balī

that son of Devaki burned up the entire army of the Mlecchas. Seeing his own army slain, that mighty Kalayavana —

Verse 50 (padma.6.246.50)

युयुधे वासुदेवेन गदया यवनेश्वरः । कृष्णोऽपि कदनं तेन कृत्वा चिरमनामयः । विमुखः प्राद्रवत्तस्मात्संग्रामात्कमलेक्षणः । सोनुयातोऽतिवेगेन तिष्ठतिष्ठेति चाब्रुवन् ।

yuyudhe vāsudevena gadayā yavaneśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo'pi kadanaṁ tena kṛtvā ciramanāmayaḥ vimukhaḥ prādravattasmātsaṁgrāmātkamalekṣaṇaḥ sonuyāto'tivegena tiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cābruvan

That lord of the Yavanas fought with Vasudeva, mace against mace. Krishna too, having done battle with him for a long time, unweariedly, the lotus-eyed one turned away and fled from that battle; that Yavana pursued him with great speed, crying, "Stand, stand!"

Verse 51 (padma.6.246.51)

वेगात्कृष्णो गिरिगुहां प्रविवेश महामतिः । तत्र प्रसुप्तो राजाऽसौ मुचुकुंदो महामुनिः ।

vegātkṛṣṇo giriguhāṁ praviveśa mahāmatiḥ tatra prasupto rājā'sau mucukuṁdo mahāmuniḥ

Swiftly, that great-minded Krishna entered a mountain cave. There lay sleeping that king, the great sage Muchukunda.

Verse 52 (padma.6.246.52)

अदृश्यस्तस्य नृपतेः संस्थितो भगवान्हरिः । यवनोऽपि महावीरो गदामुद्यम्य पाणिना ।

adṛśyastasya nṛpateḥ saṁsthito bhagavānhariḥ yavano'pi mahāvīro gadāmudyamya pāṇinā

The Lord Hari stood there, unseen by that king. And that great hero, the Yavana too, raising his mace in hand,

Verse 53 (padma.6.246.53)

कृष्णं हंतु समारब्धो गुहां तां प्रविवेश ह । दृष्ट्वा शयानं राजानं मत्वा कृष्णं जनार्दनम् ।

kṛṣṇaṁ haṁtu samārabdho guhāṁ tāṁ praviveśa ha dṛṣṭvā śayānaṁ rājānaṁ matvā kṛṣṇaṁ janārdanam

began, to slay Krishna, to enter that cave. Seeing the sleeping king, and mistaking him for Krishna Janardana —

Verse 54 (padma.6.246.54)

पादेन ताडयामास मुचुकुंदं महामुनिम् । ततः प्रबुद्धो भगवान्मुचुकुंदो महामुनिः ।

pādena tāḍayāmāsa mucukuṁdaṁ mahāmunim tataḥ prabuddho bhagavānmucukuṁdo mahāmuniḥ

he struck the great sage Muchukunda with his foot. Then that lordly great sage Muchukunda, awakened —

Verse 55 (padma.6.246.55)

क्रोधात्संरक्तनयनो हुंकारं कृतवानसौ । तस्य हुंकारशब्देन तथा क्रोधनिरीक्षणात् ।

krodhātsaṁraktanayano huṁkāraṁ kṛtavānasau tasya huṁkāraśabdena tathā krodhanirīkṣaṇāt

his eyes reddened with anger, uttered a roar of "Hum!" By the sound of that roar, and by that angry glance —

Verse 56 (padma.6.246.56)

निर्दग्धो भस्मतां प्राप यवनस्त्यक्तजीवितः । ततस्तु कृष्णो ददृशे राजर्षेः पुरतः प्रभुः ।

nirdagdho bhasmatāṁ prāpa yavanastyaktajīvitaḥ tatastu kṛṣṇo dadṛśe rājarṣeḥ purataḥ prabhuḥ

the Yavana was utterly burnt to ashes, his life given up. Then the Lord Krishna revealed himself before that royal sage,

Verse 57 (padma.6.246.57)

नीलोत्पलदलश्यामः पुंडरीकनिभेक्षणः । शंखचक्रगदापाणिः पीतवासा जनार्दनः ।

nīlotpaladalaśyāmaḥ puṁḍarīkanibhekṣaṇaḥ śaṁkhacakragadāpāṇiḥ pītavāsā janārdanaḥ

dark as a blue-lotus petal, with eyes like the lotus, bearing conch, discus, and mace, clad in yellow garments — Janardana.

Verse 58 (padma.6.246.58)

दृष्ट्वा तं सहसोत्थाय राजर्षिरमितौजसम् । अहोभाग्यमहोभाग्यमित्युवाच महामुनिः ।

dṛṣṭvā taṁ sahasotthāya rājarṣiramitaujasam ahobhāgyamahobhāgyamityuvāca mahāmuniḥ

Seeing him, that royal sage, of measureless splendor, rising up at once, said, "Oh, what fortune! Oh, what fortune!" said that great sage,

Verse 59 (padma.6.246.59)

पुलकांकितसर्वांगः सानंदाश्रुजलाकुलः । स्तुवन्वै जयशब्देन प्रणनाम मुहुर्मुहुः ।

pulakāṁkitasarvāṁgaḥ sānaṁdāśrujalākulaḥ stuvanvai jayaśabdena praṇanāma muhurmuhuḥ

his whole body thrilled with rapture, overcome with tears of joy, praising him with cries of "Victory!", he bowed again and again.

Verse 60 (padma.6.246.60)

मुचुकुंद उवाच- धन्योस्मि कृतकृत्योस्मि दर्शनात्परमेश्वर । अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं सफलं मम ।

mucukuṁda uvāca dhanyosmi kṛtakṛtyosmi darśanātparameśvara adya me saphalaṁ janma jīvitaṁ saphalaṁ mama

Muchukunda said: "I am blessed, my purpose is accomplished, by this sight of you, O Supreme Lord. Today my birth has borne fruit, my life has borne fruit.

Verse 61 (padma.6.246.61)

नमस्ते वासुदेवाय जगन्नाथाय शार्ङ्गिणे । दामोदराय देवाय तेजसां निधये नमः ।

namaste vāsudevāya jagannāthāya śārṅgiṇe dāmodarāya devāya tejasāṁ nidhaye namaḥ

Homage to you, Vasudeva, Lord of the world, wielder of the Sharnga bow! Homage to Damodara, the God, the treasury of all splendors!

Verse 62 (padma.6.246.62)

अधोक्षजाय हरये नृसिंहवपुषे नमः । राघवाय नमस्तुभ्यं पुंडरीकेक्षणाय च ।

adhokṣajāya haraye nṛsiṁhavapuṣe namaḥ rāghavāya namastubhyaṁ puṁḍarīkekṣaṇāya ca

Homage to Adhokshaja, to Hari, to him whose form was the Man-Lion! Homage to you, Raghava, and to the lotus-eyed one!

Verse 63 (padma.6.246.63)

अच्युतायाविकाराय तथानंताय ते नमः । गोविंदाय नमस्तुभ्यं विष्णवे जिष्णवे नमः ।

acyutāyāvikārāya tathānaṁtāya te namaḥ goviṁdāya namastubhyaṁ viṣṇave jiṣṇave namaḥ

Homage to you, unfailing, unchanging, and likewise infinite! Homage to you, Govinda! Homage to Vishnu, the ever-victorious!

Verse 64 (padma.6.246.64)

नारायणाय श्रीशाय कृष्णाय परमात्मने । मुकुंदाय नमस्तुभ्यं चतुर्व्यूहाय ते नमः ।

nārāyaṇāya śrīśāya kṛṣṇāya paramātmane mukuṁdāya namastubhyaṁ caturvyūhāya te namaḥ

Homage to Narayana, Lord of Shri, to Krishna, the Supreme Soul! Homage to you, Mukunda! Homage to you, of the fourfold vyuha-form!

Verse 65 (padma.6.246.65)

नमः परमकल्याण नमस्ते परमात्मने । वासुदेवाय शांताय यदूनां पतये नमः ।

namaḥ paramakalyāṇa namaste paramātmane vāsudevāya śāṁtāya yadūnāṁ pataye namaḥ

Homage, O supremely auspicious one! Homage to you, Supreme Soul! Homage to Vasudeva, the tranquil, the Lord of the Yadus!"

Verse 66 (padma.6.246.66)

महेश्वर उवाच- एवं स्तुत्वा तु गोविंदं प्रणनाम पुनः पुनः । संतुष्टो भगवान्प्राह मुचुकुंदं महामुनिम् ।

maheśvara uvāca evaṁ stutvā tu goviṁdaṁ praṇanāma punaḥ punaḥ saṁtuṣṭo bhagavānprāha mucukuṁdaṁ mahāmunim

Maheshvara said: Having thus praised Govinda, he bowed again and again. The pleased Lord spoke to that great sage Muchukunda.

Verse 67 (padma.6.246.67)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- वरं वृणीष्व राजर्षे यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते । महेश्वर उवाच- सोऽपि मुक्तिं ययाचाथ पुनरावृत्तिवर्जिताम् ।

śrībhagavānuvāca varaṁ vṛṇīṣva rājarṣe yatte manasi varttate maheśvara uvāca so'pi muktiṁ yayācātha punarāvṛttivarjitām

Shri Bhagavan said: "Choose a boon, O royal sage, whatever is in your mind." Maheshvara said: He then asked for liberation, free of any return to rebirth.

Verse 68 (padma.6.246.68)

तस्मै ददौ तदा कृष्णो दिव्यं लोकं सनातनम् । राजा तु मानुषं रूपं विहायाथ महामतिः ।

tasmai dadau tadā kṛṣṇo divyaṁ lokaṁ sanātanam rājā tu mānuṣaṁ rūpaṁ vihāyātha mahāmatiḥ

Krishna then gave him that eternal, divine world. And that great-minded king, casting off his human form —

Verse 69 (padma.6.246.69)

समानं रूपमास्थाय देवस्य परमात्मनः । वैनतेयं समारुह्य शाश्वतं पदमाविशत् ।

samānaṁ rūpamāsthāya devasya paramātmanaḥ vainateyaṁ samāruhya śāśvataṁ padamāviśat

assuming a form equal to that of the Supreme God, and mounting Garuda, entered the eternal abode.