The Bhagavata Purana describing the Krishna Avatar says that it is a unique child that Vasudeva sees before him. The Lord appears in His divine form — with lotus eyes, four arms sporting the disc, conch, mace and other weapons, the bright Srivatsa mark on His chest, and the shining Kaustuba on the neck; wearing the yellow cloth with the diadem, gem-studded ear rings and so on.
It is no wonder that Vasudeva understands the Paratva of His son and sees Him as the very Paramatma, while Nandagopa is not fully aware of this truth though he is quick to sense the child’s divinity and extraordinary appeal, pointed out Srimati Prema Pandurang in a discourse.
Soon after Krishna’s birth, Nandagopa goes to Mathura to pay the annual tribute to Kamsa. Vasudeva hears of Nandagopa’s arrival and meets him when cordialities and greetings are exchanged.
As if by intuitive promptings, Vasudeva then cautions Nandagopa to be careful and asks him to hasten back to Vraja as evil portents seem to be in the offing.
On his return, Nandagopa is astounded to see the dead Putana’s huge body and hears the story. He and the people of Vraja are many a time caught between realisation and delusion when they witness Krishna’s seemingly sporting ways in dealing with the diverse kinds of dangers and threats to His safety that take place frequently as He grows up. He recalls Vasudeva’s words and counsel and is sure of his child’s amazing and marvellous prowess.
At times, even Yasodha is insightful to the child’s Paratva when once He reveals the entire universe to her within His tiny mouth as He yawns lying on her lap. It is a momentary flash of illumination that gets submerged in the spell of Maya when she has to revert to her role as the mother of a mischievous and playful child.