The Mukundamala is a Sanskrit hymn composed by the Hindu poet-saint Kulasekhara, seventh of the twelve Alvars of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Comprising 40 verses, the hymn is addressed to the deity Krishna.

Description

Scholars identify Kulasekhara as one of the earliest Chera/Kulasekhara rulers of Kodungallur (Mahodaya Pura) in modern-day Kerala. The hymns of the Mukundamala ask Mukunda, another name for Krishna, to give the unworthy author freedom from samsara. It describes the misery of the soul trapped in this world and exhorts that Krishna is the only means of salvation. The exploits of the deity are also described in the work. The hymn was completed at the Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam.

Hymns

The first hymn of the Mukundamala extols Vishnu's various attributes: "śrī-vallabheti vara-deti dayā-pareti bhakta-priyeti bhava-luṇṭhana-kovideti nātheti nāga-śayaneti jagan-nivāsety ālāpinaṁ prati-dinaṁ kuru māṁ mukunda""O, Mukunda! make me your glory great oft recount, As Laksmi's consort dear, as the bestower bounteous, As the all-merciful, as the great friend of the devout, As the deft destroyer of earthly bondage, as my sole support As the one lying on the serpent couch in sweet repose, As the all-pervading Lord of the universe." The second hymn of the work directly addresses Vishnu's incarnation of Krishna: "jayatu jayatu devo devakī-nandano ’yaṁ jayatu jayatu kṛṣṇo vṛṣṇi-vaṁśa-pradīpaḥ jayatu jayatu megha-śyāmalaḥ komalāṅgo jayatu jayatu pṛthvī-bhāra-nāśo mukundaḥ ""Victory, Victory unto Devaki’s celestial darling, Victory, Victory unto Krsna, the beacon-light of Vrsni’s clan, Victory, Victory unto Him, the cloud-hued, of body charming, Victory, Victory unto Mukunda who rid clean The Earth of its unwholesome burden."