Adhyatma Chintane – Issue #16: The Meaning of the Word “Vasudeva”

by Vinaya HS on August 6, 2007

in Spirituality

Today we will learn the meaning of the word Vasudeva. This is one of the most beautiful meanings I have learnt so far.

Vasu means “Vasanthi Asmin Sarvani Bhutani ithi” i.e. in whom all beings reside and “Vasanthi ayam dehe ithi” i.e. He who resides in all jiivas.

Deva means “Divu kreda ithi” i.e. for whom the acts of creation, sustenance, and destruction are mere play.

So, Vasucha Devasha Vasudevaha. He is both Vasu and Deva, so he is Vasudeva.

Feel free to offer your suggestion or correct any mistake in the comments section.

Naham Kartha Harih Kartha

Note:

For newcomers, Adhyatma Chintane is a weekly column by my school friend R, where he discusses all things spiritual, in readily understandable tidbits. The purpose is to spread awareness about our culture and tradition, which is increasingly becoming a distant memory. A new issue will be delivered to your inbox/feed reader every Monday morning.

For previous issues, hit the search box.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Goutham August 6, 2007 at 4:49 PM

ಶರಣು ಸ್ವಾಮಿಗಳಿಗೆ,

ತಮ್ಮ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮ ಚಿಂತನೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಆಸಕ್ತಿಯೇನೊ ಇದೆ, ಆದರೆ ಇದರಿಂದ ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನವೇನು ಬದಲಾಗುವ ಹಾಗೆ ಕಾಣೋದಿಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮ ದೈನಂದಿನ ಬದುಕಿಗೆ ಉಪಯುಕ್ತ ವಾದದ್ದು ಏನಾದರು ಹೇಳು ಶಿವ. ಉಧ್ಧಟತನವೆನೆಸಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಷಮೆಯಿರಲಿ.

ನಿನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ.
ಗೌತಮ್.

2 R August 7, 2007 at 2:58 PM

Good feedback, but last few learnings were applicable for general life which u can apply for your day-today life
but anyway i will try and in-corporate ur feedback Thanks

3 Littilgurl September 3, 2007 at 6:31 PM

Wow!!

4 Muralitharan Doraisamy March 22, 2008 at 7:10 PM

To the Editor,

I am currently a postgrad student at Murdoch Uni in Perth.

And am researching the sanskrit meaning or perhaps the true meaning of the word Vasudeva. It seems one view by Norbert Klaes in Conscience and Consciousness, maintains that Vasudeva simply means, the best and highest of men and does not mean a god or avatar.

But from your explanation or definition, it clearly states the opposite, meaning that, “Vasudeva” would mean a God or and Avatar.

Please shed some light on this subject.

Thanks.

Murali.

5 sunil January 26, 2010 at 8:21 PM

Hi sunil here from infosys,

Im more interested in spiritual aspects and adhyatmith chintane… need to know more about it…. can some1 suggest me on this .

Thank you.. my email address sunilanil1437279@aol.com

6 Sagnik February 11, 2010 at 4:39 PM

That’s an exquisite explanation, my friend! Surely the most scientific and beautiful meaning of Vasudeva that I’ve come across.
I’d be honoured if we can keep in touch.

Tam namami Harim Param!

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