Vasudeva, or Vasudev, is one among the numerous names of God
Vishnu. It is popularly used to refer to Sri Krishna. Vasudev was also one of
the names given to Krishna during the naming
ceremony. Meaning of Vasudeva is mentioned in the Vishnu Purana.
Vasudev means one who resides in all objects and bestows
them with splendor.
Vishnu Purana states:
He who is Prime and Greater than the greatest, who is the
Supreme Soul resident in himself – who cannot be differentiated by form, color
etc., who is without deterioration or destruction, and without birth, growth
and dissolution; who can only be asserted as existing – is called by the
learned as Vasudeva, in consequence of his existing everywhere and in all objects.
Naming of Sri Krishna as Vasudev: As the infant was of dark complexion the first name that was
given to the baby was Krishna . He was also
given the name Vasudeva by Sage Garga.