Mukunda — Giver of Liberation

"Mukunda" means the one who grants liberation. Hymns such as Kulashekhara Alvar's "Mukundamala" sing the glory of this name.

According to tradition, "Mukunda" is connected with "mukti", liberation, and "da", the giver: he is the one who frees souls from the bondage of birth and death. Devotional teachers add another lovely sense: Mukunda gives a devotion so sweet that even liberation seems small beside it.

The name appears frequently in the Shrimad Bhagavatam, especially where devotees speak of taking shelter at the Lord's feet. A recurring message of the Bhagavatam is that one who fully surrenders at Mukunda's feet is no longer bound by any other debt or obligation. The gopis of Vraja and devotees like Uddhava also call to the Lord with this name.

Kulashekhara Alvar, a South Indian king who became a saint, composed the "Mukundamala Stotra". In it he prays again and again that, birth after birth, his mind may remain fixed at Mukunda's feet; he asks not for heaven or a kingdom, only for remembrance of the Lord. Simple kirtans repeating "Mukunda, Madhava, Govinda" are still sung in temples and homes. The name reminds the devotee that true freedom is found in the Lord's shelter.

Name Sa

मुकुन्द

Name Roman

Mukunda

Meaning

giver of liberation

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam; Mukundamala Stotra of Kulashekhara Alvar