Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.85.18
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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sutau
—
sons
The very word Vasudeva is now retracting. The whole speech turns on this single noun: he uses it only to disown it — 'You are not our sutau but the pradhāna-puruṣa-īśvarau.'
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pradhāna-puruṣa-īśvarau
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the Lords of nature and its director (Mahā-Viṣṇu)
Triple compound, dual ending. Three sāṅkhya-vedānta technical terms compressed into one word: They control pradhāna (matter), puruṣa (Mahā-Viṣṇu), and are īśvara of both. Vasudeva is naming the highest theological altitude in a single breath.
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bhū-bhāra-kṣatra-kṣapaṇe
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for diminishing the burden of warrior-rulers upon the earth
Long compound: bhū (earth) + bhāra (burden) + kṣatra (warrior caste) + kṣapaṇa (eliminating). The avatāra's purpose. Gauḍīyas emphasize that this is the secondary mission; the primary is Vraja-līlā for the devotees.
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avatīrṇau
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descended
Dual past participle of ava + √tṝ, 'to cross down'. Avatāra-vocabulary in its purest form. Vasudeva uses the very word the śāstras reserve for the Lord's descent.
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, in this verse Vasudeva offers himself and his wife as excellent examples of those who are materially deluded. Although at the time of His birth in Kaṁsa’s prison Lord Kṛṣṇa told Vasudeva and Devakī that His mission was to rid the earth of unwanted kṣatriyas, still His two parents could not avoid thinking of Him as their helpless son who needed protection from King Kaṁsa. In reality, of course, both Vasudeva and Devakī were participating in the divine pastime of the Lord’s birth under the perfect direction of His internal energy; only out of transcendental humility does Vasudeva criticize himself in this way.
"We are the proof of this, having attachment to sons, body and other things. You are not our sons. But thinking of you as our sons, we develop attachment to you. You have said (attha) when you were born that you appeared to destroy the ksatriyas who were burden to the earth."
The plural is used instead of the dual: you are not our (naḥ) sons. This is according to the rule asmado dvayośca. (Pāṇini 1.2.51) You said this at the time of your birth.
The plural is used instead of the dual: you are not our (naḥ) sons. This includes his wives. You are the Lords of pradhāna and the puruṣas. “Why have we come here?” You have come to rid the earth of its burden of rulers. You have said this, when you were born, or through Nārada. The dual is used, according to the circumstance, though actually the two brothers are one. The singular is used in the next verse. “O father! You have constant affection for me and people related to me.” That is true. But it is impudent of me to think of the Lord as my son. He thus speaks this verse. Or O Lord! It is proper that as a son you have affection for us. He then confirms that they are his sons. Though you are the Lords of pradhāna and puruṣas, are you not directly our sons? Yes, you are. You have directly appeared in this world as our sons in my house to destroy the kings who are a burden to the earth.
A parent who has just realized the child in his arms is the king of the kingdom does not stop being a parent — but a second knowledge layers itself over the first. Vasudeva: 'You are not our sons.' He says it while still calling Them by name.
My note
Source: vedabase.io