Sri Krishna entered the cave, whereupon Kalayavana followed after Him and saw a man lying on the ground. Taking him for Sri Krishna, Kalayavana kicked him. The man had been sleeping for a very long time, and now, having been violently awakened, he looked around angrily in all directions and saw Kalayavana. 

The man stared harshly at him, igniting a fire in Kalayavana's body and in a moment burning him to ashes. This extraordinary person was Mucukunda. Previously, he had spent many long years helping to protect the demigods from the demons. When the demigods allowed Mucukunda to retire, he took from them the benediction of being covered by sleep. Upon Kalayavana's immolation, Sri Krishna showed Himself to Mucukunda, who was struck with wonder at seeing Krishna's incomparable beauty.