https://www.boloji.com/articles/54969/legendary-muchukunda-of-ikaswaku-dynasty
14 September 2025
Legendary Muchukunda
(The great king in the
dynasty of Ikaswaku)
P C K PREM
A
Page from Ancient Literature
Kalayavana
-yavana
is amazed and stunned when he witnesses a miracle. Krishna emerges
out of Mathura and appears a scintillating and radiant phenomenon. Wonderstruck
at the divine dazzle and sparkle, he pursues the lord hurriedly without notice.
Yavana is intensely philosophical and chases the lord but fails to keep
pace and lags behind. Earlier, Krishna is armoured and the next moment,
he finds the lord without weapon and a wish for a duel with the lord arises in
the mind. Krishna is not aware that someone is pursuing and wishes to
have a fight. Yavana, despite swiftness and keenness to take hold of the
lord, fails.
Yavana
finds
Krishna is not visible and therefore laments and feels embittered. He
utters unpalatable and uncharitable words but fails to provoke the lord.
Finally, he observes the lord entering a cave of a huge mountain.
Yavana
enters
cave in search of the lord and to his surprise, he finds a man sleeping inside
unconscious of the world outside. Yavana is angry and infuriated. He is
baffled and confused and thinks the sleeping man as Krishna. He thinks Krishna
is teasing him. He knows not the ambiguous conduct of the lord that an
unexpected revelation is sure to shock. He disturbs the sleep of a man. The man
opens his eyes, looks terribly angry and the fiery eyes reduce Yavana to
ashes.
The
mystifying man of spiritual power is from the dynasty of Ikaswaku, a
distinguished son of Mandhata. Later on, people know him as Muchukunda,
a devotee of Brahma and a man of truth, an unconquerable king of vast
prudence of that age. At that time, lord Indra faces a lethal threat
from daityas, who are a superior power.
Gods
of heavens deliberate for a long time and feel incapable of defeating the
powerful daityas. Muchukunda offers to help gods and provides
security and protection for an unspecified long period.
After
ages, the gods are able to secure the service of Guha -Karteykeya,
a son of lord Shiva. Now, the gods go to Muchukunda and express
gratitude for the protection he ensured to gods. They also reveal the
truth that ages have gone into oblivion and no one from his dynasty
lives on earth.
The
gods ask him to ask for a boon and blessing but do not assure of Kaivilaya
Moksa -self-realization i.e. the true self, an area of control of lord Vishnu.
Muchukunda listens to gods but does not say anything. After ages, he feels
tired, terribly fatigued, and only wants to sleep, after tireless work
of guarding the gods of heavens. One of the gods tells him if any stupid
fellow disturbs him, the mere look will turn him into ashes.
At
this moment, Krishna appears before Muchukunda and greatly enjoys
ecstatic moments of a lifetime. He recognizes the lord and praises but wants to
know the mystery. Lord tells him of the terror daityas create on earth, and
therefore, to end the brutalities, he takes birth in the house of Vasudeva,
a family of Yadu to get rid of the atrocious demons. Muchukunda is
stunned and after serious reflections on life, existence, tapa and
penance, devotion- bhakti and moksa, he speaks of the glories of
the lord but is disinclined to live a life of three Gunas and so, seeks
refuge in the Supreme Person, the Pure Consciousness. The lord is delighted at
the devotion and so blesses him, “You will attain me, the Absolute, O Muchukunda.
Sri
Suka continued.
The mystical time of joys abundant appeared infinite
and inexhaustible. When Krishna emerged from the main gate of the city
of Mathura, Kalayavana -Yavana was startled to witness a wonderful
phenomenon. He appeared as if a rising moon, most dazzling and charming to the
eyes. Endowed with four massive long arms, he was dark brown in appearance,
gracefully and enchantingly attired in yellow silk with a white curl of hair around
the neck, and the neck appeared brilliantly gem-adorned.
Yavana was
lost in the glory and dazzle of the Supreme lord steadily coming out of the
city of Mathura. He observed the lord minutely, looked into the eyes and
face, and felt enchanted as the divine expressions appeared as fresh blossoming
lotuses. He was thrilled as he looked at the ever beautiful and splendid cheeks
while the divine smiles adorned with brilliant alligator-shaped earrings. The
celestial sage had already described the divine beauty and gorgeous figure of Krishna.
Yavana was
now, profoundly reflective. He thought long over the entire situation. Yavana
followed him for a long time with the intent to overtake. However, he found
it quite difficult to keep pace with the Supreme Lord. He observed the son of Vasudeva
Krishna, who was fully armoured and the weapons dazzled the eyes. Next
moment, the lord walked on foot he saw and was amazed to see him without weapons.
He deliberated again and resolved to challenge him but did not reveal the
purpose. Because the lord was unarmed, it would look apt if he had a fight he
thought. He prepared himself for a duel with a defenseless person without a
proper chariot or horse and pursued Krishna with the objective to outdistance
Krishna while he walked with quick steps.
He was ready for an encounter with the lord, who was
without weapons. He deliberated for some time as he swiftly chased lord Krishna,
and resolved again and wanted genuinely an equal fight without prejudice or
discrimination. Now, he was at the back of the lord. However, Krishna never
looked back that someone was pursuing him with the objective to kill or defeat.
Yavana failed to understand the mysterious play of the Supreme Person.
****
Great Lord appeared beyond reach. Possibly, the lord
was beyond reach even for those, who were masters of yoga. Yavana
did not understand Maya -delusory potency of the Supreme Lord. However,
the lord did not indulge in deceptive acts or waywardness and so was quite
simple and unassuming in conduct Yavana thought. The Knower of minds of
all, the Supreme Spirit, the Lord of lords, Sri Krishna without inkling,
tempted and lured the lord of Yavanas and took him far away to a great
mountain cave. Unconsciously, he moved promptly to the door of a huge cave but
he never allowed a feeling in the mind of Yavana to creep in that he had
walked very fast. Every time, Yavana thought to catch hold of Krishna,
the lord appeared within grip but still he slipped away and so Yavana eager
for a combat with the great lord, failed to minimize the distance.
He continuously pursued Krishna but was
unable to reach and hold him. Quite desperate he was when he told, “O Yadu,
it is not good for you. You are born in the great dynasty of Yadus, and
to run away without even a meet-up, is quite wrong.”
He had failed to keep pace with the lord as evil
lurking in the mind fuelled his ego and obsession to defeat the lord. On the
other hand, the mysterious destiny not only guided him to the imminent collapse
but also waited and prepared the background for the ultimate fall. Therefore,
it prevented him from touching the sacred feet of the lord. He also failed to provoke
the lord even as he uttered offensive and unpalatable words.
In spite of provocations and objections he raised, Yavana
could not get at Krishna. Soon, the lord approached the opening of a
mountain, entered a cave while Yavana followed the lord stealthily. He
felt worn out but condemned and criticized, and at the same time, tried to
measure the immensity of the power of the lord within. In the meantime, he
continued the vigorous chase. When Yavana entered, he saw a different
man sleeping inside the cave. An astonished Yavana stood perplexed, still
and silent. An inactive and snoozing man also raised curiosity and many questions
raised heads within but he failed to find answers of the divine mystery. He was
incapable of fathoming the hidden desires of the lord, and therefore,
deliberated seriously.
Yavana thought
and whispered, “Look at this. He brought me to such a place after treading a
long distance as if he were unaware of anything. Now, he was asleep like an
innocent man.”
Thus, mystery of a long chase was still
incomprehensible to Yavana. Yavana thought deep, and was baffled.
As if he were a foolish man, he thought that it was Krishna, who slept
inside the cave after a long run. Without restraint, he struck him with the foot.
He did not know that a revelation of a great secret awaited him. Like an
impudent and confused man, he disturbed a man, who was in deep sleep and
eagerly awaited the reaction.
****
The unknown man in deep sleep, felt a bit agitated
and slowly messaged his eyes and face, and after a few moments, opened eyes. He
looked around and saw Yavana, who stood nearby and appeared stubborn and
impudent. He was obviously quiet but within exasperation and anger distressed.
He got up, observed the situation and appeared annoyed, and therefore, when he
looked at Yavana, he emitted terrific fire and reduced Yavana to
ashes.
The strange and mysterious man was a man of immense spiritual
prowess. He was born in the dynasty of Ikaswaku, and was a distinguished
and well-known son of Mandhata. Later on, the people knew him as Muchukunda.
He was devoted to Brahma in letter and spirit, was a man of truth, and
was true to the promises he made. He was an invincible king of understanding and
judiciousness.
Once, lord Indra scared of the demons desperately
tried to seek protection from different quarters. Lord Indra found it difficult
to save life and the kingdom, therefore, ran about frantically to escape from
the clutches of the mighty daityas. He covered nearly all the regions
and directions but failed to find appropriate shelter. However, the fierce
demons chased him fully equipped with lethal and mystical weapons. Lord Indra
appeared before king Muchukunda and beseeched for a refuge.
He wanted protection for the gods of heavens
terribly afraid of the demons. Bighearted king Muchukunda, known for
firmness of word uttered, might and integrity, agreed to grant security to the
gods for a long time. It was a long time and none could measure it but the
mighty Muchukunda protected the gods of heavens. Celestial beings did
not know the time limit but in terms of celestial years, it was indefinite.
****
After a long time, the gods of heavens appeared
before Guha -Karteykeya, the younger son of lord Shiva -the
destroyer and requested him to protect the gods. Karteykeya agreed to become
the guardian of heavens and the general of the army of gods. The gods felt
assured and satisfied.
All
gods went to king Muchukunda and said, “O king, you made efforts to protect
us from the demons, and therefore, we lived happily. You served the gods of
heaven for many ages. During a long period, you faced challenges and suffered.
Now, you may kindly take rest. O, crown of the brave, you left your kingdom on
earth -a mortal plane where you nearly eliminated all enemies. You also left
wealth and pleasures of life for the protection of gods. Now, it is more than a
lifetime of many ages. It appears many ages have rolled on during the long unmeasured
time. Now, the sons, the queens, the relatives, the friends, the learned men of
the court, the ministers and the people of your time and age have died and none
lives now. All are lost in the womb of death.”
The divine souls compassionately looked at the king
as if blessing the mighty soul in mortal frame.
After a moment, the lord of gods said gently, “O
king, the Time-Spirit is mightier than the mighty. It is immortal. It is the Almighty
and the eternal lord. O wise king, a herdsman drives away animals to the final
destination at the end of day. Similarly, the Almighty sweeps away created
beings -the animate or the inanimate to their ultimate destiny as if he were
playing. O king, we pray for you. God bless you. You may ask anything other than
Kaivilaya Moksa - It is stage in life when human beings attain enlightenment.
The divine illumination leads to Moksa -salvation in a lifetime with
cessation of Karmas because only the Imperishable lord Vishnu,
the sole authority grants deliverance to the created beings, the ultimate self-realization.”
King Muchukunda listened to the gods
attentively. He was tired after a long time of arduous work of protection and security
of gods.
He
went around the gods, prayed, worshipped, and then said to gods, “I am
fatigued. I want to sleep.” A wish none could refuse to gift.
The gods granted the boon and blessed. He returned
and entered a mountain-cave and went to sleep. However, before taking leave of
gods, one god told him, “O noble king, if some unintelligent or unwise man
disturbs you during sleep, you will reduce the foolish man to ashes the moment
you will open eyes and look at him.”
That was how the great man of tapa Muchukunda reduced
Yavana to ashes, for Yavana disturbed deep sleep of a person, who
had gained enormous power through the virtue of dedication and service to the
gods of heavens. He was the only man from the mortal world, the great earth,
capable of granting protection to immortal gods whose life was in danger
because of the ferocious daityas’s continuous threat, chase and dreadful
infliction of injuries on gods in terms of loss of life, land and property.
When Yavana turned to ashes, Krishna appeared before the great
saintly king Muchukunda and delighted him with the sacred darshana -glimpses.
****
Beholding the lord attired in yellow silk as usual,
was like a dark brown cloud and bore mark of a white thread on His sacred
breast, and irradiated an eternal divine glow. Endowed with four arms,
splendidly decorated with sylvan flowers, he wore a smiling and lovely,
cheerful and heavenly countenance. A divinity incarnate lord stood before Muchukunda.
Thus, the lord captivated a human being and enlivened him with loving smiles and
endearing glances. He felt extremely blessed and so for some time, stood
befuddled and thunderstruck, and therefore, for a long time, Muchukunda immensely
enjoyed ecstatic moments of a lifetime.
A divine luster overwhelmed king Muchukund. After
a short pause, he said humbly, “Who are you? O divine man, tell me. You are
radiant, and dazzle eyes. Why do you wander in this thorny forest with
lotus-like tender feet? What is the objective of arriving at this particular
cave? Are you the sun god or the moon god or lord Indra -the lord of gods
of paradise and the guardian of heavens and various other specific spheres? Are
you the Effulgence (an incarnate of the Effulgent)? Kindly enlighten me O
lord.”
He was desperate to find a cogent answer to the inquisitiveness
taking birth. After a few moments, he spoke again, “I consider you no other
than lord Vishnu, the Supreme Person out of the three most revered gods -
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Creator, the Preserver and the
Destroyer respectively. You appear to be the most glittering and you…
You dispel darkness of the cave as well as the
darkness of ignorance that engulfs a mind. You are the effulgence incarnate. O
jewel among the men, if it pleases you, tell me about your birth and pedigree, karmas
or family name. If you wish to know about me then I may tell you I am a Ksatriya
from the family of Ikaswaku, and one of the sons of king Mandhata.”
He stopped for a moment and then said, “I am Muchukunda.”
He was silent, thought for a while and resumed, “I
was extremely exhausted and weary because I was not only vigilant and but also
protected and guarded the sacred abodes – the heavens of the gods and goddesses
for many ages without respite or sleep. I cannot really measure the time and
age. O great Soul, I granted protection to the gods of heavens against the atrocious
and deadly invasion of the demons on noble gods. I did not sleep for ages. When
Kartekeya, a son of lord Shiva became the guardian and General of
the Army of the gods, I was relieved of the onerous responsibility. Later on, I
entered the cave and slept. Some unknown person disturbed me only a few moments
ago and a gaze of angry eyes reduced the stupid man to ashes. Because of the
sins, he met an unfortunate end. Afterward, I noticed you.”
A persistent probing continued and then, after a
long pause, the glorious lord told, “No one can count his descendants, exploits
and appellations.”
He, the eternal, now disclosed the truth about the
king’s unfathomable past, present and future. No one could reach last part of
His descendants and doings. The lord told of many incarnations, divine powers
and the plans of creation, preservation and destruction.
At last, He said to the monarch, “Hear from me as I
tell. Long ago, prayers to Brahma, the great Creator bore fruit. For the
vindication of virtues and dharma of life and existence and for finding
a solution to the menace of demons was essential.
The powerful demons were proving a threat to the
gods and the goddesses in all the directions and regions. The daityas were
making lives of human beings and the created beings miserable and swiftly
converting the great earth into hell, and therefore, I decided to appear in the
house of Vasudeva from Yadu dynasty to get rid of the atrocious
demons.”
“Earlier, people gave me different names.” The
Effulgent Being revealed the truth.
He told about the various demons and the ultimate
death they met. He talked of Yavana, whom the pious king had just
reduced to ashes. Again, he revealed many secrets of creation to the saintly
king. After revealing the celestial plan of the truth of life and existence of
the created beings, the Supreme Lord asked him to have a boon and blessings.
At this moment, the king recalled words of sage Garga,
who had told that the Supreme would take birth in the family of Yadus.
That truth stood materialized before him. For, the Effulgent was no one
else but the Supreme God he realized.
****
A great truth stood revealed to the king that
delighted and he learnt that the pleasures of transitory life are unreal and
short-lived.
“The eternal, the great lord’ is the embodiment of happiness
and bliss. After talking about enjoyment, contentment, abundance of wealth
whether material or physical on earth, a man suffers notwithstanding devotion
and dedication because all material joys are ephemeral.” He told.
Therefore, after offering a critical analysis of
life and consequent sufferings, king Muchukunda said, “O lord, what is hidden
from you. I do not wish to covet any boon other than an everlasting service at
your sacred feet. A supreme blessing is worth converting into truth of life, an
ecstasy divine. In the mortal world, men own nothing even if they assert they
possess wealth, power and pleasures.
Even nursing possessive instincts is a
waste…therefore, O lord I reject blessings and pleasures associated with the
qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas such as religious
virtues or merits, worldly pleasures, prosperity and wealth, and the
annihilation of enemies. Therefore, I seek refuge in you, the Supreme Person, a
Pure Consciousness free from the taint of Maya - deluding potency and,
who is above the three Gunas (modes of Prakriti).”
The king emitted a divine glow as the truth of the
Supreme Spirit enveloped when he said, “You bestow and bless supreme knowledge,
O Supreme Lord…. and while a man is at your lotus feet, bless him O lord, so
that he is divorced from the worldly fear and grief. O Supreme Spirit, I pray,
kindly protect, distressed as I am.”
Thus, a great king attained salvation. He had a rich
life of truth and dharma even as he lived a mortal existence.
Finally, the great
lord said, “O king, with your mind set on me, you should wander around the
whole world in extreme delight and joy and be free from any worry or anxiety.
Your devotion would continue uninterrupted forever, for divine blessings would infuse
you with the eternal glow. As a Ksatriya, you protected not only the
people, the gods and the goddesses but you were also engaged in the killing and
hunting.
Therefore, you look upon me as an asylum and
with a concentrated mind, should get rid of aberrant propensities. I tell you
again that you should take recourse to asceticism and tapa, devotion and
dedication, and then, you would take birth as a Brahmin, the foremost of
the twice born, and the most beloved of all the created beings in next incarnation.
So you will attain me, the Absolute.”
Muchukunda thus,
became a realised soul, and merged with the Supreme Spirit. There is nothing
more sacred and eternal than the holy name of the great lord. Worldly wealth
and prosperity are transitory and illusory, and drive a man to the web of modes
of Prakriti, and therefore, a man becomes a slave to three Gunas,
which do not lead him to salvation.
While the great king performed earthly duties with
devotion and dedication, he earnestly deliberated on the sanctified feet of the
Supreme Lord. Only at the feet of the great god, a man gets deliverance. If it happens
in contemporary times, it would lead man to freedom from the cycle of birth, death
and rebirth if only he surrenders with faith and devotion at the feet of the
great lord.
Devotion and dedication toward an objective guides a
man to success and glory.
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