Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 49
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
प्रदाय मृत्यवे पुत्रान् मोचये कृपणामिमाम् । सुता मे यदि जायेरन् मृत्युर्वा न म्रियेत चेत् ॥ ४९ ॥ विपर्ययो वा किं न स्याद् गतिर्धातुर्दुरत्यया । उपस्थितो निवर्तेत निवृत्त: पुनरापतेत् ॥ ५० ॥
pradāya mṛtyave putrān mocaye kṛpaṇām imām sutā me yadi jāyeran mṛtyur vā na mriyeta cet
Nag-isip si Vasudeva: Sa pag-aalay ng aking mga anak na lalaki kay Kaṁsa, na wari’y anyo ng kamatayan, maililigtas ko ang kawawang Devakī. Maaaring hindi pa isilang ang aking mga anak ay mamatay na si Kaṁsa; o ayon sa di-masukat na tadhana, isa sa aking mga anak ang papatay sa kanya. Kaya sa ngayon, mangangako muna ako na ibibigay ang mga anak upang humupa ang agarang banta; at kapag namatay si Kaṁsa sa takdang panahon, wala na akong dapat ikatakot.
Vasudeva wanted to save the life of Devakī by promising to deliver his sons to Kaṁsa. “In the future,” he thought, “Kaṁsa may die, or I may not beget any sons. Even if a son is born and I deliver him to Kaṁsa, Kaṁsa may die at his hands, for by providence anything could happen. It is very difficult to understand how things are managed by providence.” Thus Vasudeva decided that he would promise to deliver his sons to the hands of Kaṁsa in order to save Devakī from the imminent danger of death.
FAQs
Vasudeva is ready to surrender even his own sons, not out of cruelty, but to relieve Devaki’s immediate suffering—showing compassion joined with painful sacrifice.
He speaks to protect Devaki from being killed at once; by promising to hand over each child, he hopes to avert Kamsa’s violence and buy time.
It highlights choosing the least harmful option under pressure, acting with responsibility and empathy even when outcomes are uncertain.