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
舒迦提婆·高斯瓦弥继续说道：那两位年轻天神如此赞颂了至上人格神、果库拉之主。尽管圣克里希纳是万有之主、确为果库拉的主宰，却被牧女们的绳索绑在木臼上；于是他展颜而笑，对俱毗罗之子——古希亚卡们——说道如下之言。
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.