Mukunda(n)

This is a name of Lord Krishna. Mukunda is a precious stone and denotes one of the nine treasures of Kubera, the King of wealth. The name itself means 'the One who liberates'. From time to time in various ages Lord Vishnu incarnates as an avatar (embodiment of the Divine) and liberates many matured souls from the wheel of birth and death, thus making them attain the highest realm of Divinity at the lotus feet of the Lord. Even though Sri Krishna was playing the role of a cowherd, He could grant liberation (or mukti), which is the ultimate spiritual goal and the highest spiritual stage known to mankind, in an instant. When the individual soul dissolves into the Divine, it has reached liberation. He who has this name is reminded constantly of this highest goal.

Many of us have heard of or have read the book "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda, who belongs to the line of Gurus descendent from Babaji, who is considered to be an immortal Guru and a reincarnation of Lord Krishna. Yogananda's boyhood name was Mukundan and it later became Paramahamsaji. His new interpretations of the teachings of the Bible showed the similarity of its teachings with that of Hinduism and in this way he made a great contribution to promoting better understanding between the East and the West. True to his boyhood name Mukunda, he helped to liberate humanity from the bondage of this world.