Many are the instances when the Supreme One’s accessibility and kindness are evident. Even when people are punished for their sins, His mercy is amply clear, said M.K. Srinivasan, in a discourse.
The demon Kakasura pecks at Sita’s breast, and injures Her. Yet, the Lord spares the demon’s life. In the case of Ravana, Lord Rama says He is ready to forgive the demon if he surrenders to Him. In the case of Hiranyakasipu, He waits to see if there is at least a trace of goodness in him. He would have spared the demon’s life had He seen His presence in some corner of the demon’s heart. But Hiranyakasipu has no thoughts of the Supreme One and is ultimately killed, for Hiranyakasipu tormented Prahlada in many ways and the Lord cannot tolerate those who torment His devotees. The Narasimha avatara is taken for the sake of the boy devotee — Prahlada — and the Lord’s mission will be fulfilled only when His devotee is spared suffering at the hands of his father — Hiranyakasipu. In the case of Putana, who comes to kill the infant Krishna, Lord Krishna sucks out her life, but she attains moksha. So even behind a punishment there is always His mercy.
The story of Muchukunda shows how He seeks people out and blesses them. Kalayavana wages a war against Lord Krishna. But Lord Krishna simply walks away without fighting Kalayavana. Kalayavana follows Lord Krishna who enters a cave. In the cave Muchukunda is asleep. He has been asleep for many yugas and, according to a boon, if someone wakes him up and Muchukunda glances at the intruder, then the latter will be burnt to ashes. Kalayavana stumbles over the sleeping Muchukunda. Muchukunda wakes up and looks at Kalayavana and Kalayavana is burnt to ashes. And then Lord Krishna emerges from the darkness and reveals Himself to Muchukunda. Thus Lord Krishna seeks out Muchukunda — a man who has been sleeping for ages. He ensures that Muchukunda is woken up from his slumber and then directs Muchukunda to do penance and attain liberation.
