Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 16
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
सर्वस्य जगतः पालौ गोपालौ तौ बभूवतुः कृष्णश्चोलूखले बद्धो दाम्ना व्यग्रयशोदया
sarvasya jagataḥ pālau gopālau tau babhūvatuḥ kṛṣṇaścolūkhale baddho dāmnā vyagrayaśodayā
แม้ทรงเป็นผู้พิทักษ์แห่งสรรพโลก ทั้งสองก็ทรงปรากฏเป็นเพียงโคบาล; และพระกฤษณะถูกพระนางยโศดาผู้ร้อนรนผูกด้วยเชือกติดกับครกไม้ แล้วประทับอยู่ที่นั่น
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Cultivates bhakti through the paradox of the cosmic protector accepting maternal discipline; supports devotional reflection and storytelling.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dāmodara-līlā: the universe-protector bound by Yaśodā","lookup_keywords":["Dāmodara","Yaśodā","ulūkhala","dāmna","gopāla"],"quick_summary":"Though cosmic guardians, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa appear as simple cowherds; Kṛṣṇa is bound to a mortar by Yaśodā, illustrating līlā and the supremacy of bhakti over majesty."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (protectors of all yet bound)
Concept: Bhakti’s intimacy (mādhurya) ‘binds’ the Lord; divine omnipotence voluntarily submits to love.
Application: Devotional practice emphasizing affectionate remembrance (smaraṇa) and service (sevā) over fear-based religiosity.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Krishna-Lila (Vaishnava Itihasa-katha)
Primary Rasa: vatsalya
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a cowherd home, Yaśodā anxiously ties mischievous child Kṛṣṇa to a heavy mortar; the cosmic protector appears as a small boy, subdued by love.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Yaśodā in traditional attire tying rope around Bāla-Kṛṣṇa’s waist beside an ulūkhala, butter pots nearby, warm ochres and greens, expressive eyes, devotional domestic intimacy","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Dāmodara with gold halo, rope around waist, ornate mortar, Yaśodā bending with jeweled bangles, rich gold work, butter pots and cowherd motifs, temple-arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine lines and soft shading, clear depiction of rope binding technique and mortar, calm interior courtyard, emphasis on narrative clarity and gentle expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior with textiles and utensils, Yaśodā tying Kṛṣṇa, attendants peeking, realistic mortar and rope, delicate flora border, subtle humor and tenderness"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कृष्णश्चोलूखले → कृष्णः च उलूखले; व्यग्रयशोदया → व्यग्रा यशोदया
Related Themes: Agni Purana Avatāra-khaṇḍa: Kṛṣṇa bāla-līlā sequence (Pūtanā, Śakaṭa, Yamala-arjuna)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys bhakti-theology: the cosmic protector willingly accepts human-like limitation through maternal affection, illustrating devotion’s power over the Divine.
Alongside its many technical disciplines, the Agni Purana also preserves core Vaishnava narrative-theology; this verse exemplifies how the text integrates avatara-katha (incarnation lore) with doctrinal teaching about lila and grace.
Meditating on Damodara (Krishna bound by Yashoda) is traditionally held to deepen humility and loving devotion, teaching that sincere bhakti can ‘bind’ the Lord more than power or austerity.