Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.51.39-40
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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viriñcena
—
by Lord Brahmā
Instrumental of Viriñca — Brahmā. The four-faced demiurge of this universe, but explicitly a creature in Bhāgavatam — he prays to Viṣṇu in SB 10.1. Gauḍīyas firmly subordinate Brahmā to Bhagavān; this verse cites that subordination.
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dharma-guptaye
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for the protection of religious principles
Compound: dharma + guptaye (for the guarding). Echoes Gītā 4.7-8 directly — paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām, dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya. The Bhāgavata and Gītā speak with one voice on the avatāra's purpose.
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ānakadundubheḥ
—
of Vasudeva (Ānakadundubhi)
Genitive — at whose birth the kettle-drums (ānaka-dundubhi) of heaven sounded; hence Vasudeva's epithet. Even the father's name carries the celebratory acoustic of Bhagavān's descent.
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vāsudevaḥ iti
—
by the name Vāsudeva
Phrase — 'by the name Vāsudeva.' Bhagavān names Himself. Gauḍīyas note: in the Pāñcarātra system, Vāsudeva is the first of the catur-vyūha (Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, Aniruddha). The name He gives Mucukunda is the head of His own emanation-tree.
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yadu-kule
—
in the Yadu dynasty
Same compound as verse 8 — the lineage Kālayavana wielded as a taunt is here re-claimed by Kṛṣṇa as His own celebrated home. The taunt becomes the answer.
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avatīrṇaḥ
—
descended
Past participle of ava-√tṝ — to cross down. The technical Vaiṣṇava term for divine descent. Avatāra is not 'incarnation' in the Western sense; it is Bhagavān's own self-deposition into the world without loss of Self.
However, on your request, hear from me as I speak about my present birth and activities, though they are difficult to understand. Hear only, but do not desire to understand in truth or to a great degree. I was requested previously to protect the devotees (dharma-guptaye) and destroy the demons. I have now appeared in the Yadu dynasty. “As Vāsudeva, your name was previously famous as he in whom all beings reside (vasanti yatra bhūtāni), taking the name as an ordinary compound. But this name appears to be recent because of special qualities which had previously been hidden.” I am famous as the son of Vasudeva. I am most famous (hi) among all the forms of the Lord who appeared as sons such as Rāma, since I am the main form.
Hear about my present birth from me with attention. I was requested by Brahmā, along with Śiva and Bhūmi, arriving on the bank of the milk ocean according to rules. I should protect dharma in order to protect the devotees. He speaks of his birth first. I appeared, not arising from a womb, as the son of Vasudeva, who was born the sound of drums from heaven. This indicates his fame and greatness. They call me Vāsudeva. “This name already exists. He is the presiding deity of citta.” I am the son of Vasudeva. That is the well-known name at this time. That is me alone. Though it is possible to have that name as a son of Rāma or other avatāras, it is famous as my name, because of affection for my father. Other names like Kṛṣṇa, Dāmodara, Govinda are not mentioned as they are secret. Since he is not qualified to hear about this birth, his identity in the next verse is described. And later, in describing his activities, his pastimes in Gokula are not mentioned, but the description of his killing demons is explained.
Kṛṣṇa narrows the infinite into a single biography for His friend: 'Brahmā asked, I descended in the Yadu line at Vasudeva's home, people call Me Vāsudeva.' The cosmic confession contracts into a name a friend can use.
At SB 10.1.17-25, Bhūmi-devī comes weeping to the demigods, asuras have crushed the earth's order, and Brahmā leads them all to the milk-ocean to petition Viṣṇu. Viṣṇu's reply — that He will appear in the Yadu line at Vasudeva's home — is the exact promise Kṛṣṇa is now relating to Mucukunda eons later.
Gauḍīyas treasure this back-reference: the same Bhāgavata-text Mucukunda has not yet read is being summarized to him by its own protagonist. The avatāra remembers, and tells, His own appearance-narrative.
My note
Source: vedabase.io