Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 39
The Deliverance of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva
Yamala-Arjuna Līlā Prelude and Culmination
श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं सङ्कीर्तितस्ताभ्यां भगवान्गोकुलेश्वर: । दाम्ना चोलूखले बद्ध: प्रहसन्नाह गुह्यकौ ॥ ३९ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca itthaṁ saṅkīrtitas tābhyāṁ bhagavān gokuleśvaraḥ dāmnā colūkhale baddhaḥ prahasann āha guhyakau
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: The two young demigods thus offered prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Godhead, is the master of all and was certainly Gokuleśvara, the master of Gokula, He was bound to the wooden mortar by the ropes of the gopīs, and therefore, smiling widely, He spoke to the sons of Kuvera the following words.
Kṛṣṇa was smiling because He was thinking to Himself, “These two young demigods fell from the higher planetary system to this planet, and I have delivered them from the bondage of standing for a long time as trees, but as for Me, I am bound by the ropes of the gopīs and am subject to their chastisements.” In other words, Kṛṣṇa submits to being chastised and bound by the gopīs because of pure love and affection worthy of being praised by a devotee in so many ways.
FAQs
This verse highlights the paradox of bhakti: Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Gokula and the Supreme Bhagavān, allows Himself to be bound to a mortar, yet remains fully sovereign and gracious.
Kṛṣṇa’s smile signals compassion and intimacy—He is about to address Nalakuvara and Maṇigrīva (the Guhyakas) with mercy, even while appearing bound in His childlike pastime.
Even the Supreme can be “bound” by love: cultivate sincere devotion, humility, and remembrance of God, trusting that divine grace responds to heartfelt glorification and surrender.