One-line: Krishna’s father, trapped by a promise and then used by the Goddess’s birth-plan.
First seen / best remembered: Book 4 (Book 4 retelling; atlas: ). Name trap: this card is Krishna’s father; Vasudeva can also appear as a name of Krishna.
Who they are: Vasudeva is Krishna’s father and Devaki’s husband. He is forced into a terrible bargain with Kamsa and then watches child after child be killed. When Krishna is born, Vasudeva becomes the carrier who moves the child through the night to safety.
What they do that matters:
- Promises to hand over Devaki’s children to Kamsa.
- Carries newborn Krishna out of prison.
- Swaps Krishna with Yashoda’s daughter as Yoga Maya covers the escape.
Other names: None in this storybook layer.
Family / lineage (when relevant): Husband of Devaki; father of Krishna.