Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 40
Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti
तथाप्यद्यतनान्यङ्ग शृणुष्व गदतो मम । विज्ञापितो विरिञ्चेन पुराहं धर्मगुप्तये । भूमेर्भारायमाणानामसुराणां क्षयाय च ॥ ३९ ॥ अवतीर्णो यदुकुले गृह आनकदुन्दुभे: । वदन्ति वासुदेवेति वसुदेवसुतं हि माम् ॥ ४० ॥
tathāpy adyatanāny aṅga śṛnuṣva gadato mama vijñāpito viriñcena purāhaṁ dharma-guptaye
Nonetheless, my friend, hear as I speak of My present birth, name, and lilas. Long ago Brahmā petitioned Me to protect dharma and to destroy the asuras who burdened the earth. Thus I descended in the Yadu dynasty, in the home of Ānakadundubhi; and because I am the son of Vasudeva, people call Me Vāsudeva.
FAQs
In this verse Krishna states that He appeared in the house of Ānakadundubhi (Vasudeva), and thus people call Him “Vāsudeva,” meaning the son of Vasudeva.
Within the narrative of Canto 10 Chapter 51, Krishna reveals His present identity to Mucukunda to clarify who He is and to explain His divine mission—protecting dharma and removing the demonic burden from the earth.
A practical takeaway is to support dharma through truthful living, self-control, compassion, and devotion—aligning one’s daily choices with what uplifts others and strengthens spiritual principles.