This is a prayer to Lord Krushna, as the Guru of the entire universe. It is the beginning verse of Krishnashtakam. Putting these together, “Vasudeva Sutan Devam” translates to “the son of Vasudeva, the god” or “the divine son of Vasudeva.” This phrase is often used to refer to Lord Krushna, highlighting his divine nature and lineage as the son of Vasudeva
This is a prayer to Lord Krushna, as the Guru of the entire universe. It is the beginning verse of Krishnashtakam. This verse describes the four important people in the life of Sri Krushna who would soon reveal himself as the Jagad Guru. Those four individuals are Vasudeva and Devaki (his parents), Kamsa (His maternal uncle and evil adversary since birth) and Chanura, a formidable and evil wrestler. Krushna was separated from his parents at birth, had to deal with Kamsa who was out to kill him by any means possible and fight with and defeat Chanura when he was a mere boy. It was an intense struggle for survival since birth which was the preparation ground for the Lord and Guru of the Universe.
Vasudeva = Vasudeva, Sri Krishna’s father; Sutam = to the son (Sutaha = son); Devam = to the Lord/God; Kamsa = Kamsa, Krishna’s maternal uncle or mama; Chanoora = Chanoora, a wrestler in Kamsa’s court; Mardanam = to the one who killed; Devaki = Devaki, Krishna’s mother; Parama = immense; Anandam = to the one who caused joy; Krishnam = to Lord Krishna; Vande = I bow upon/I salute or namaskar; Jagat = world; Gurum = to the teacher.
वसुदेवसुतं देवं
वसुदेव सुतं देवं, कंस चाणूर मर्दनम् |
देवकी परमानन्दं, कृष्णं वन्दे जगद् गुरुम् ||
Vasudeva Sutan Devam
Vasudeva Sutan Devaṃ Kans-Chaanoor mardanam |
Devaki Paramanandam Krushnam Vande Jagadgurum||
