Story of Vasudeva

Father of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Genealogy.

See under Kṛṣṇa.

Previous birth and current birth.

Vasudeva was the rebirth of Prajāpati Kasyapa. Aditi and Surasā, the wives of Kaśyapa took birth as Devakī and Rohiṇī respectively. (For details see under Kaśyapa).

Marriage and Family.

Rohiṇī, the wife of Vasudeva, gave birth to Balarāma, the fighter Sāraṇa, Durdhara, Dama, Piṇḍāraka and Mahāhanu. Of Devakī who was also called Māyā and Amāvāsī, the younger son Kṛṣṇa and his beautiful sister Subhadrā were born. Vijaya, Rocamāna, Vardhamāna and Devala were sons born by Upadevī. The two sons Agāvaha and Mandaga, otherwise called Angada were born of Vṛkadevī. Revanta who could not be defeated in battle, was born from Saptamīdevī. The first son of Vasudeva was Kauśika, whose birth was from a Vaiśya woman called Śraddhā Devī when Vasudeva was travelling in the forest. Kapila, a mighty son was born by the queen Śrutandharā. Saubhadra head of the archers and Abhava were born by his wife Janā. (Padma Purāṇa, P. 1314).

Other details.

(i) Vasudeva was the son of Śūrasena, and the husband of Devakī, the father of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the brother of Kuntī, and the minister of Ugrasena. It was Vasudeva who sent the priest Kaśyapa to Śataśṛṅga to perform the purification ceremonies such as naming etc. of the Pāṇḍavas. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 123, Dākṣiṇātyapāṭha).

(ii) After the Bhārata-battle, Vasudeva asked Śrī Kṛṣṇa and learned from him the detailed news about the battle. (Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 60).

(iii) Vasudeva fell into a swoon when he heard that Subhadrā had become unconscious. (Mahābhārata Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 61, Stanza 5).

(iv) The ceremony of offering to the manes (Śrāddha) of Abhimanyu was performed by Vasudeva. (Mahābhārata Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 62, Stanza 1).

(v) When the Yādavas fought among themselves after drinking liquor, Śrī Kṛṣṇa went to Dvārakā and visited Vasudeva, and requested him to protect his wives who were awaiting Arjuna. Then after kissing the feet of Vasudeva, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balabhadra Rāma went to do penance. (Mahābhārata Mausala Parva, Chapter 4, Stanza 8).

(vi) When the dynasty of Vṛṣṇi was completely destroyed Vasudeva thinking about the Supreme soul in his heart forsook his body. (Mahābhārata Mausala Parva, Chapter 7, Stanza 15).

(vii) Arjuna performed the funeral rites of Vasudeva and aided his four wives to enter the funeral pyre. (Mahābhārata Mausala Parva, Chapter 7, Stanza 19).

(viii) Vasudeva entered heaven and took his place among Viśvadevas (gods concerned with offering to the manes). (Mahābhārata Svargārohaṇa Parva, Chapter 5, Stanza 17).

(ix) The synonyms of Vasudeva, used in Mahābhārata are Ānakadundubhi, Śauri, Śūraputra, Śūrasūnu, Yadūdvaha and so on.