Bound by Love (Digital)

A lecture delivered by Śrī Śrīmad Gour Govinda Swami Mahārāja

Note: This is a digital edition (Pdf)

The Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (14.29) describes the words of Nrsimhadeva addressing His dear devotee Prahlada,

sadā mukto ‘pi baddho ‘smi bhaktena sneha rajjubhiḥ
ajito ‘pi jito ‘haṁ tair avaśo ‘pi vaśī kṛtāḥ

“Although I am supremely free and independent, I am in bondage, sadā mukto ‘pi baddho ‘smi bhaktena sneha rajjubhiḥ.” What is that bondage? That bondage is prema-bandhana, the bondage of love. “I become bound up with the rope of love of My devotee. I am bound by that love. ajito ‘pi jito ‘haṁ tair avaśo ‘pi vaśī kṛtāḥ, although I am ajita, unconquerable, I am conquered by this love, bhaktair jitatvā. This is true love.”