Shloka 18
Vasudeva and Devakī Glorify Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; The Recovery of Devakī’s Six Sons from Sutala
युवां न न: सुतौ साक्षात् प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरौ । भूभारक्षत्रक्षपण अवतीर्णौ तथात्थ ह ॥ १८ ॥
yuvāṁ na naḥ sutau sākṣāt pradhāna-puruṣeśvarau bhū-bhāra-kṣatra-kṣapaṇa avatīrṇau tathāttha ha
พระองค์ทั้งสองมิใช่บุตรของเรา หากเป็นองค์อธิศวรโดยตรงเหนือปรธานและปุรุษ ดังที่พระองค์ตรัสเอง พระองค์เสด็จอวตารเพื่อกำจัดเหล่ากษัตริย์กษัตริยะผู้เป็นภาระแก่แผ่นดิน
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, in this verse Vasudeva offers himself and his wife as excellent examples of those who are materially deluded. Although at the time of His birth in Kaṁsa’s prison Lord Kṛṣṇa told Vasudeva and Devakī that His mission was to rid the earth of unwanted kṣatriyas, still His two parents could not avoid thinking of Him as their helpless son who needed protection from King Kaṁsa. In reality, of course, both Vasudeva and Devakī were participating in the divine pastime of the Lord’s birth under the perfect direction of His internal energy; only out of transcendental humility does Vasudeva criticize himself in this way.
FAQs
This verse states that Kṛṣṇa (with Balarāma) descends to relieve the earth’s burden by eliminating oppressive, irreligious rulers and restoring dharma.
Out of awakened realization, Vasudeva acknowledges their divinity—identifying them as the supreme controllers of material nature (pradhāna) and the Supreme Person (puruṣa), beyond ordinary parent-child relations.
See divine purpose behind the Lord’s actions, strengthen faith that dharma is ultimately protected, and cultivate devotion by recognizing God’s supremacy beyond worldly roles and relationships.