Shloka 20
Dāmodara-līlā: Mother Yaśodā Binds Kṛṣṇa; the Two-Fingers Mystery; Prelude to the Yamala-Arjuna Deliverance
नेमं विरिञ्चो न भवो न श्रीरप्यङ्गसंश्रया । प्रसादं लेभिरे गोपी यत्तत्प्राप विमुक्तिदात् ॥ २० ॥
nemaṁ viriñco na bhavo na śrīr apy aṅga-saṁśrayā prasādaṁ lebhire gopī yat tat prāpa vimuktidāt
Neither Virinci (Brahmā), nor Bhava (Śiva), nor even Śrī Lakṣmī who ever rests upon the Lord’s chest, obtained from the Deliverer of liberation such mercy as the gopī mother Yaśodā received.
This is a comparative study between mother Yaśodā and other devotees of the Lord. As stated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 5.142) , ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya: the only supreme master is Kṛṣṇa, and all others are His servants. Kṛṣṇa has the transcendental quality of bhṛtya-vaśyatā, becoming subordinate to His bhṛtya, or servant. Now, although everyone is bhṛtya and although Kṛṣṇa has the quality of becoming subordinate to His bhṛtya, the position of mother Yaśodā is the greatest. Lord Brahmā is bhṛtya, a servant of Kṛṣṇa, and he is ādi-kavi, the original creator of this universe ( tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye ). Nonetheless, even he could not obtain such mercy as mother Yaśodā. As for Lord Śiva, he is the topmost Vaiṣṇava ( vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ ). What to speak of Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, is the Lord’s constant companion in service, since she always associates with His body. But even she could not get such mercy. Therefore Mahārāja Parīkṣit was surprised, thinking, “What did mother Yaśodā and Nanda Mahārāja do in their previous lives by which they got such a great opportunity, the opportunity to be the affectionate father and mother of Kṛṣṇa?”
FAQs
This verse says that even Brahmā, Śiva, and Lakṣmī did not receive the unique favor that Mother Yaśodā received—she attained Kṛṣṇa Himself through intimate parental devotion.
To show that awe-filled divine status is not the highest access to Kṛṣṇa; the deepest intimacy comes through pure bhakti—here, Yaśodā’s vātsalya (motherly love) that draws the Lord under her control.
Prioritize loving service and sincerity over prestige or intellectual pride—Kṛṣṇa is conquered by heartfelt devotion, not by position, power, or mere spiritual achievement.