2023-08-06 13:21:25
King Muchukunda
Shri Rama was born in the Ikshavaku dynasty, the descendant of Suryavansha. A famous king Mandhata came from the same lineage. King Muchukunda was his son. His kingdom included the entire length and breadth of the earth. He was so powerful that even Indra used to be desirous of his help.
Once, in a battle, gods were defeated by the demons. They went to king Muchukunda and sought his help. King Muchukunda agreed to help them and fought against the demons for a long time. Since gods were not able to find a suitable commander, king Muchukunda had to protect them against the merciless demons until the gods got an able commander like Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva. Then Indra said to the king Muchukunda: "O king, we are indebted to you for the help and protection which you have been giving us, by sacrificing your own family life. Now you are free. Tell me what you want?"
Muchukunda requested them to let him go back to Earth to his empire.
Indra replied ," Here in the heaven, one year equals three hundred and sixty years of the earth. Since, it has been a long time, so there is not any sign of your kingdom and your family because it has been destroyed. We are happy and pleased with you, so ask for any boon except salvation because salvation is beyond our capacities".
Muchkunda was sad. He then thought for a while and asked Indra for a boon to sleep. While fighting on the side of the gods, king Muchukunda did not get an opportunity to sleep even for a moment. Now, since his responsibilities were over, overcome by tiredness, he was feeling very sleepy. So, he said: "O King of gods, I want to sleep. No one should disturb my sleep and one who dares to disturb my sleep should get burnt to ashes".
Indra said: "So be it, go to the earth and enjoy your sleep, one who awakens you would be reduced to ashes".
After this, king Muchukunda descended on the earth and selected a cave, where he could sleep without being disturbed. He slept for a long time. Many Yugas passed and then came Dwapara Yuga. Lord Krishna took incarnation in Vasudev's house who belonged to the Yadav dynasty.
During that time, a demon by the name of Kalayavana attacked Mathura. Lord Krishna wanted this demon to get killed by Muchukunda, so he ran towards the cave where Muchukunda was sleeping. Kalayavana too followed him in hot pursuit. Kalayavana was very proud of his strength and power. He ran after Lord Krishna challenging him to fight with him. But instead of accepting the challenge, Lord Krishna hid in the cave where Muchkunda was sleeping. But before hiding, he put His yellow silken apparel (Pitamber) on the sleeping Muchukunda.
The proud and arrogant Kalayavana entered the cave and mistaking the sleeping Muchukunda for Shri Krishna, he awakened him by pulling the yellow silken apparel from his body. As soon as Muchukunda woke up and cast his sight on the demon, Kalayavana was reduced to ashes. Muchukunda started to look here and there because the whole cave was illuminated by the radiance of Lord Krishna. He found out that it was due to the presence of Lord Krishna. Though initially he did not recognize Lord Krishna but after giving a thought he remembered that the person who was standing in front of him was none other than lord himself. Muchukunda fell at his feet.
Lord Krishna lifted him up and took him in embrace and asked him to seek any boon. But Muchukunda had realized the futility and non-permanence of the worldly matters. So, he did not ask for anything. He asked for his total devotion towards the Almighty God, because he knew that God is the liberator and one who is fortunate enough to have his divine sight gets liberated from the cycle of birth and death. In his life, Muchukunda had not got an opportunity to prove his devotion towards God. So, when he got an opportunity, he asked for it giving it more value than his own salvation.
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