In the fifty first chapter Mucukunda burns up Kalayavana with his glance and satisfies Krsna with his prayers. Krsna gives Mucunda benediction. Though others who are qualified by devotion can appreciate the beauty of Krsna, the asuras cannot taste that beauty even if the Lord is before their eyes, because of their inimical attitude. To show that fact, this verse describes the beauty of Krsna as he stood before Kalayavana. Kalayavana chased Krsna who was fleeing away (pradravantam).

Kālayavana saw him coming out of the city. The word vi--niṣkrantam indicates he was certain that Kṛṣṇa had come out. Śukadeva describes Kṛṣṇa, by seeing his real nature out of prema. This is not how Kālayavana saw him, since if he did, he could not have had enmity with him. Nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ: being covered by my yoga-māyā, I am not visible at all to the fools. (BG 7.26) Just as a person fond of bitter foods does not appreciate sweet foods, demons see only a dull shadow of the real Kṛṣṇa. Though they see Kṛṣṇa, they do not really see him. Because Kṛṣṇa appeared according to Nārada’s description, with four long, thick arms, because of the distinguishing characteristics related by Nārada, Kālayavana quickly understood that this was Kṛṣṇa. He had eyes pink like a fresh lotus. According to Amara-koṣa, aruṇa means very pale red. His cheeks possessed beauty (śrīmat). The suffix mat is used to suggest praise. Sukapola indicates the excellence of his body parts. He smiled because of pleasure. His earrings and other ornaments as well sparkled (sphūran). The first three verses describe Kṛṣṇa. Kālayavana thought, “This must be Vāsudeva. It cannot be anyone else.” He then describes Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa was going at quite a fast pace in a playful manner (pra—ā—dravantam). Out of pride Kālayavana wanted to catch him. But because Kṛṣṇa was difficult to catch even for yogīs, Kālayavana would be a laughing stock.

Kālayavana saw him coming out of the city, strolling at a casual pace, alone (vi-niṣkrantam). He was like the rising moon, a disc of light which gives joy to the mind and eye. Thus he saw the Lord clearly (vilokya), though he was at a distance. He is depicted as most beautiful. Nārada, having always seen the four armed form, described this to Kālayavana. Thus he saw Kṛṣṇa in his form now. His eyes were red like fresh lotuses. Also implied by the word nava (new) are the eyes’ wideness and happiness since these are constant qualities of his eyes. He was ever joyful and thus endowed with all beauty (śrīmat). Another cause of beauty is mentioned. He was endowed with or manifested (vibhrāṇam) beautiful cheeks, smile and lotus face. This person must be the son of Vasudeva, with extraordinary qualities like the Śrīvatsa mark. He was most beautiful with the lotus garland extending to his feet. The previously mentioned details of his form are also understood in what Kālayavana described. He recognized the Lord by what Nārada had described (iti). Or he thought (iti), “It cannot be anyone else.” He then decided, “Since he has no weapons I will also fight without weapons.” Kṛṣṇa was walking slightly fast, and casually (prādravantam). He wanted to catch Kṛṣṇa, out of pride, and because he thought he could do it. He pursued Kṛṣṇa on foot, though Kṛṣṇa could not be caught by yogīs. This shows the demon’s foolishness.