Mukunda Mala Stotra

MUKUNDA-MĀLĀ-STOTRA

Of the many hundreds of poetic Sanskrit stotras—songs of glorification offered to the Supreme Lord, His devotees, and the holy places of His pastimes—King Kulasekhara ‘s Mukunda-mālā-stotra is one of the most perennially famous.Mukunda-mālā-stotra presents prayers from a saintly king beseeching Lord Kṛṣṇa. Some say that its author conceived it as a garland (mala)of verses offered for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure.

King Kulasekhara was part of Sri-sampradaya, the Vaishnava school founded by Lord Vishnu’s divine consort, Sri. A traditional history of King Kulasekhara states that once, as he slept in his palace quarters, he had a brilliant and distinct vision of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Upon awakening he fell into devotional trance and failed to notice dawn breaking. The royal musicians and ministers came as usual to his door to wake him, but after waiting for some time without hearing him respond, they reluctantly took the liberty of entering his room. The King came out of his trance and described his vision to them, and from that day on he no longer took much interest in ruling. He delegated most of his responsibilities to his ministers and dedicated himself to rendering devotional service to the Lord. After some years he abdicated the throne and went to SriRangam, where he remained in the association of Deity of Kṛṣṇa Ranganatha and His many exalted devotees. At SriRangam Kulasekhara is said to have composed in his two great works and one of them is Mukunda-mālā-stotra.

The Mukunda-mālā-stotra, although composed in elegant Sanskrit, is a simple expression of King Kulashekra’s devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa and his eagerness to share his good fortune with everyone else.Being thus in a very public work, it does not delve into intimate personal revelations. It aims at presenting the true feelings of a lover of God.It is the voice of a realized soul beseeching the Lord—and us—with the utmost sincerity.He calls to all people to hear of the treatment for the disease of birth and death. With this much we the readers should be completely satisfied, because it is a rare opportunity for us when a devotee opens his heart so freely.