Hare Krsna,
Initially Vasudeva was completely under awe and reverence of his son who appeared in the form of baby Visnu. Vasudeva was situated in the secondary rasa of adbuta (wonder or astonishment). When baby Krsna appeared with lotus eyes, four arms holding conch, club, disc and lotus flower, Srivatsa on his chest, etc. Vasudeva was filled with wonder because such a form of a baby is extraordinary. Awe and reverence are a naturally outcome of such a vision. Naturally his initial set of prayers glorify Krsna’s opulence and greatness as befitting those of the Supreme Lord. The prayers are also philosophically deep.
Within Vasudeva’s heart, there is affection for his son and at the same time knowledge of His transcendental nature. Both awakened at the same time. First Vasudeva feared that “my baby will be harmed by Kamsa.” This resulted in affection for his son. But when he became aware of the Supreme position of the Lord, he became fearless. In essence what I am observing is the swinging of Vasudeva’s emotions like a pendulum – swinging from awe and reverence to vatsalya mood. Vasudeva was very much aware of the fact that even though the Supreme Lord appeared as a baby and as his child, the child is still the Supreme Lord. He was not in ignorance, thinking that because the Supreme Godhead had appeared as his son, the Lord had become limited. Therefore, Vasudeva prays that the Lord is unlimitedly existing and all-pervading, inside and outside. This is also a message to readers like us that Krsna always maintains His supreme Godhead and transcendental nature even if He is born as a child. Otherwise, there is a risk of committing offense by thinking of Him as an ordinary child.
By verse 21 and 22, Vasudeva was not much fearful about his baby Krsna being killed by Kamsa. On the contrary, he is confident that Krsna will kill all the demons in order to protect the devotees and the citizens in general.
SB 10.3.21 -22: O my Lord, proprietor of all creation, You have now appeared in my house, desiring to protect this world. I am sure that You will kill all the armies that are moving all over the world under the leadership of politicians who are dressed as kṣatriya rulers but who are factually demons. They must be killed by You for the protection of the innocent public.
O my Lord, Lord of the demigods, after hearing the prophecy that You would take birth in our home and kill him, this uncivilized Kaṁsa killed so many of Your elder brothers. As soon as he hears from his lieutenants that You have appeared, he will immediately come with weapons to kill You.
What we see here is that Vasudeva’s sthayi-bhava in vatsalya always remained underneath but finally comes across strongly.
“Although Krsna cannot be killed, Vasudeva, as the father of Krsna, was trembling because in affection he thought that Kamsa would immediately come and kill his son.” (SB 10.3.22 Purport)
I also like Srila Prabhupada drawing a parallel to the Krsna consciousness movement where he says that “Krsna consciousness movement and Krsna are not different and no asuras can check it.” It is clear ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada’s child and he is in the vatsalya mood assuring all protection to his beautiful institution.
“The Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is also an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa in the form of the holy name (nāma-rūpe). Every one of us who is actually afraid of the asuric rulers and politicians must welcome this incarnation of Kṛṣṇa: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Then we will surely be protected from the harassment of asuric rulers.” (SB 10.3.21 Purport)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 