Question: Vasudeva & Devaki are eternal parents of Lord Krsna as SB 10.8.48 purport says. “This means that whenever Kåñëa descends, Nanda and Yaçodä, as well as Vasudeva and Devaké, also descend as the Lord’s father and mother. Their personalities are expansions of Kåñëa’s personal body; they are not ordinary living beings.” However, later in 10.8.50 purport we find “Because whenever Kåñëa appears on this earth He superficially needs a father and mother, Droëa and Dharä, His eternal father and mother, appeared on earth before Kåñëa as Nanda Mahäräja and Yaçodä. In contrast to Sutapä and Påçni, they did not undergo severe penances and austerities to become the father and mother of Kåñëa. This is the difference between nitya-siddha and sädhana-siddha.”
In his commentary to SB 10.55.1, VCT writes “The Vasu named Droëa (Kåñëa’s vibhuti) was merged into Nanda and Droëa’s wife Dharä merged into Yaçodä”
In 10.9.20 commentary, VCT writes “Çukadeva says, ‘O Paréksit! Although you know about the Nanda and Yaçodä who are famous in the scriptures as nitya-siddhas, in answer to your casual question (10.8.46) about their austerities in previous lives I told the story of Droëa and Dharä, who are very small expansions of Nanda and Yaçodä.’”
Here are my two questions.
(1) Similar to Droëa and Dharä, are Sutapä and Påçni an amsa or vibhuti of Vasudeva & Devaki?
(2) Since Vasudeva and Devaki are also eternal associates, why in their ‘previous life’ Sutapä and Påçni are considered sadhana-siddhas?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
The following two commentaries of VCT will help address both of these questions.
10.3.37-38 “Some also reason that since the nitya siddha parikaras (eternal associates of the Lord) Vasudeva and Devaké had nitya siddha aiçvarya-jïäna mixed bhakti, their aàçäs Påçni and Sutapä also had mixed bhakti.”
10.3.43 “This indicates that the birth as Kåñëa is the full, complete form and the previous two (namely, Prsnigarbha and Vamana) are His aàçäs, partial expansions. In verse 31 of this chapter, Kåñëa told Devaké, “You were previously Påçni” but He did not say “Påçni is you.” In verse 45 Kåñëa says, “By knowing I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by constantly thinking of Me with love as your son, you will go to My spiritual abode.” By this evidence, it is shown that Påçni and Sutapä are expansions of Devaké and Vasudeva.”
In the BBT translation of 10.3.45, Kåñëa says to Devaké and Vasudeva “…always know that I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By thus thinking of Me constantly with love and affection, you will achieve the highest perfection: returning home, back to Godhead.”
By these references, both of the above questions have been answered.
