Father of Krishna and husband of Devaki, known for his surname Anakadundubhi, who imprisoned by Kamsa, exchanged newborn Krishna with Yashoda's daughter, and ultimately entered the fire after Krishna's death.
वसुदेव (vasudeva) [Printed book page 3-173] Vasudeva (I) — of the family of Yayāti; a son of Deva-
mīḍha (also Śūra) and Māriṣā. He had a surname Ānaka-
dundubhi because at his birth anakas and dundubhis were
sounded as a sign of receiving Hari's grace. Married the
seven daughters of Devaka; six other wives of:
1 Father
of Kṛṣṇa by Devakī; when marrying her he promised
Kamsa, who drove the chariot and who heard a voice
Page3-174+ 48 from air that her eighth son would kill him, to give him
all sons born of Devakī to be killed by him. Took her first
son to Kamsa who spared him; was thrown in prison with
Devakī by Kamsa. Vasudeva's prayer to the new born Kṛṣṇa;
took the babe to Nandagopa's house and exchanged him for
the daughter, born to Yaśoda at that time, without anybody
knowing it. Released by Kamsa;
2 met Nanda who went to
the capital for paying annual tribute and after enquiring of
his welfare advised him to return home as he expected some
trouble at the Vraja. Requested Garga to go to Vraja and
perform
samskāras to his sons.
3 Visited by Nārada. Vasu-
deva enquired of
Bhāgavata dharma; listened to the tradi-
tional account of the talk between the nine sons of Ṛṣabha
and Nimi and was pleased along with Devakī;
4 met by Kṛṣṇa
at Sudharmā sabhā painted by Citralekhā;
5 joined the Yadus
in defeating Pauṇḍraka Māyā. Vasudeva cut off Sālva
before Kṛṣṇa in battle. Welcomed Kṛṣṇa after the Kuru-
kṣetra war; went to Syamantapañcaka for the solar eclipse;
here he met the sages and asked them how to get rid of
karma by karma. Nārada's praise of. The sages induced him
to undertake a sacrifice; requested by Vasudeva to be his
Ṛtviks for the
yajña they agreed. At the end of the sacrifice,
he had his
avabhṛta with all his eighteen wives to the great
satisfaction of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, when all castes and even
animals were fed; others were honoured with presents. At
leave-taking Vasudeva took hold of Nanda's hands and
showed that the tie of friendship was the greatest of all ties
and wept in joy. Gave Nanda presents; praise of Kṛṣṇa
and Rāma and his joy.
6 Kamsa who heard from Nārada that Vasudeva had kept
his sons Rāma and Kṛṣṇa under the safe custody of Nanda
wanted to kill him. When he was persuaded not to do so,
Kamsa imprisoned Vasudeva until Kṛṣṇa released him;
celebrated his
upanayana.7 Stationed to defend the
eastern gate of Mathurā; consulted by Kṛṣṇa on the
eve of attack on Jarāsandha. His part in the third
campaign of Jarā; came with Devakī and Kṛṣṇa
Page3-175+ 33 to Rukmiṇī's residence where Pradyumna and Māyāvatī had
already arrived. His concern at Kṛṣṇa not returning for a
long time from the cave of Jāmbavatī.
8 In previous births
Sutapa and Kaśyapa (see Devakī). Heard of Kṛṣṇa's
decease and also of all the Vṛṣṇis
9 and wept; gave his sons
Saumī and Kauśika in adoption to his brother, Vṛka;
10 nine
brothers and four sisters;
11 chastised by Kamsa in the Yādava
assembly;
12 praise of Kṛṣṇa by Vasudeva;
13 entered fire after
Kṛṣṇa's death.
14 [
Footnote: 1) Bhā. IX. 24., 23-45; Br. III. 61. 23; 71. 146, 160-1, 174; M. 44. 72; Vā. 86. 28; 96. 144, 159-161, 198; 98. 94; Vi. IV. 14. 19.] [
Footnote: 2) Bhā. I. 1. 12; 2. 7; 8. 33; III. 2. 25; X. 26. 17; 1. 23 to the end; ch. 3 (whole); 4. 14 and 24; Br. III. 71. 210-35; M. 46. 1-2; 47. 2-6; Vi. V. 1. 5; 3. 15-23.] [
Footnote: 3) Bhā. X. 5. 20-31; 8. 1.] [
Footnote: 4) Ib. XI. 2. 3; 31. 15-22.] [
Footnote: 5) Ib. X. [67 (v) 42, 47]; 62. 20.] [
Footnote: 6) Ib. X. 66. [2]; 77. 25-9; 80. [13]; 82. 5; chh. 84. and 85 (whole).] [
Footnote: 7) Ib. X. 36. 17-24, [29 and 31]; 44. 33 and 51; 45. 2-9, 26-9.] [
Footnote: 8) Ib. X. 50. 20 [2]; [50 (v) 8]; [51 (v) 26]; 55. 35; 56. 24.] [
Footnote: 9) Ib. XI. 31. 15 and 18.] [
Footnote: 10) Br. III. 71. 192, 73. 94.] [
Footnote: 11) Vi. IV. 14. 27-31.] [
Footnote: 12) Ib. V. 15. 4-5, 18.] [
Footnote: 13) Ib. V. 15. 20-28.] [
Footnote: 14) Ib. V. 38. 4.] [ID=12393]