Shloka 13
Dāmodara-līlā: Mother Yaśodā Binds Kṛṣṇa; the Two-Fingers Mystery; Prelude to the Yamala-Arjuna Deliverance
न चान्तर्न बहिर्यस्य न पूर्वं नापि चापरम् । पूर्वापरं बहिश्चान्तर्जगतो यो जगच्च य: ॥ १३ ॥ तं मत्वात्मजमव्यक्तं मर्त्यलिङ्गमधोक्षजम् । गोपिकोलूखले दाम्ना बबन्ध प्राकृतं यथा ॥ १४ ॥
na cāntar na bahir yasya na pūrvaṁ nāpi cāparam pūrvāparaṁ bahiś cāntar jagato yo jagac ca yaḥ
Tuhan Yang Maha Tinggi tiada dalam dan tiada luar, tiada awal dan tiada akhir, tiada depan dan tiada belakang—Dialah Yang Meliputi segalanya, melampaui waktu; alam dan sandaran alam pun Dia.
In Bhagavad-gītā (10.12), Kṛṣṇa is described as the Supreme Brahman ( paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma ). The word brahma means “the greatest.” Kṛṣṇa is greater than the greatest, being unlimited and all-pervading. How can it be possible for the all-pervading to be measured or bound? Then again, Kṛṣṇa is the time factor. Therefore, He is all-pervading not only in space but also in time. We have measurements of time, but although we are limited by past, present and future, for Kṛṣṇa these do not exist. Every individual person can be measured, but Kṛṣṇa has already shown that although He also is an individual, the entire cosmic manifestation is within His mouth. All these points considered, Kṛṣṇa cannot be measured. How then did Yaśodā want to measure Him and bind Him? We must conclude that this took place simply on the platform of pure transcendental love. This was the only cause.
FAQs
This verse declares that Kṛṣṇa transcends all spatial and temporal divisions—yet He also pervades them—being simultaneously the inner and outer reality of the cosmos and its supreme source.
To highlight the wonder of devotion: the same limitless Supreme Lord, beyond ‘before/after’ and ‘inside/outside,’ becomes present in a childlike form for loving exchanges with His devotees.
Remembering the Divine as present in all situations reduces fear and ego, and helps one act with humility, devotion, and steadiness amid change.