Vasudeva- Hindu FigureMortal"Father of Krishna"

The Wedding and the Prophecy

Vasudeva, a Yadava prince of Mathura, married Devaki, cousin of the tyrant Kamsa. On their wedding day, a divine voice announced that Devaki's eighth son would destroy Kamsa. Kamsa drew his sword to kill Devaki on the spot. Vasudeva stopped him with a desperate promise: he would surrender every child born to them.

Kamsa imprisoned the couple. He murdered their first six sons as each was born. The seventh child, Balarama, was mystically transferred from Devaki's womb to that of Rohini, Vasudeva's other wife, in Gokul.

The Journey to Gokul

The eighth child was born at midnight. Vishnu appeared before the couple in his four-armed form and commanded Vasudeva to carry the infant to Gokul, across the Yamuna. The chains binding Vasudeva fell away. The iron doors of the prison swung open. The guards collapsed into sleep.

Vasudeva placed the newborn Krishna in a basket and stepped into the storm. When he reached the Yamuna, the river was in flood. The water parted to let him pass. The serpent Shesha rose from the river and spread his hood over the child to shield him from the rain. In Gokul, Vasudeva exchanged Krishna for the newborn daughter of Nanda and Yashoda, then walked back to the prison. The doors closed. The chains returned.

Later Life

Vasudeva and Devaki remained in Kamsa's prison until Krishna returned to Mathura as a young man, killed Kamsa, and freed his parents. Vasudeva lived out his days in Dvaraka under his son's protection.