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Shloka 34

The Appearance of Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) and the Divine Exchange with Yoga-māyā

वर्षवातातपहिमघर्मकालगुणाननु । सहमानौ श्वासरोधविनिर्धूतमनोमलौ ॥ ३४ ॥ शीर्णपर्णानिलाहारावुपशान्तेन चेतसा । मत्त: कामानभीप्सन्तौ मदाराधनमीहतु: ॥ ३५ ॥

varṣa-vātātapa-hima- gharma-kāla-guṇān anu sahamānau śvāsa-rodha- vinirdhūta-mano-malau

My father and mother, you endured rain, wind, blazing sun, scorching heat, and bitter cold according to the seasons. By prāṇāyāma and the restraint of breath you cleansed the mind of all impurity; living on dry fallen leaves and even on air alone, with tranquil hearts you worshiped Me, longing for a boon from Me.

varṣa-vāta-ātapa-hima-gharma-kāla-guṇānthe qualities of rain, wind, sun, cold, heat, and time (seasons)
varṣa-vāta-ātapa-hima-gharma-kāla-guṇān:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootvarṣa + vāta + ātapa + hima + gharma + kāla + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व-समास (वर्षादयः)
anuthrough, along, in accordance with
anu:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootanu (अव्यय)
Formउपसर्ग/अव्यय (in the sense of ‘along/according to/through’)
sahamānauenduring, bearing
sahamānau:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeVerb
Rootsah (धातु)
Formशतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन
śvāsa-rodha-vinirdhūta-mano-malauwhose mental impurities were blown away by breath-control
śvāsa-rodha-vinirdhūta-mano-malau:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootśvāsa + rodha + vi-nir-dhū (धातु) + manas + mala (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास: ‘ययोः मनोमलौ विनिर्धूतौ (श्वासरोधेन)’

Vasudeva and Devakī did not obtain the Supreme Personality of Godhead as their son very easily, nor does the Supreme Godhead accept merely anyone as His father and mother. Here we can see how Vasudeva and Devakī obtained Kṛṣṇa as their eternal son. In our own lives, we are meant to follow the principles indicated herewith for getting good children. Of course, it is not possible for everyone to get Kṛṣṇa as his son, but at least one can get very good sons and daughters for the benefit of human society. In Bhagavad-gītā it is said that if human beings do not follow the spiritual way of life, there will be an increase of varṇa-saṅkara population, population begotten like cats and dogs, and the entire world will become like hell. Not practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness but simply encouraging artificial means to check the population will be futile; the population will increase, and it will consist of varṇa-saṅkara, unwanted progeny. It is better to teach people how to beget children not like hogs and dogs, but in controlled life.

D
Devakī
V
Vasudeva

FAQs

This verse describes devotees enduring rain, wind, heat, and cold as part of disciplined practice, showing that tolerance and steadiness help purify the mind for devotion.

Śukadeva explains their intense discipline and inner purification to show their readiness and devotion in the lead-up to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s appearance.

By accepting discomfort without losing purpose—maintaining regulated habits, self-control, and prayerful focus—one gradually reduces mental impurities and strengthens devotion.