The Pure and Unalloyed Love of Mother Yaśodā
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals the supreme depths of transcendental love through the character of Mother Yaśodā. By studying his purports, we understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead willingly subordinates Himself to her parental affection, the role of His internal potency in facilitating this relationship, and the unparalleled mercy she achieved by becoming the mother of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
The Embodiment of Parental Affection
The spiritual world is full of various relationships with the Supreme Lord, and Mother Yaśodā represents the perfection of vātsalya-rasa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that she and Nanda Mahārāja are the absolute embodiments of parental love, treating the creator of the universe simply as their dependent, beloved child.
- Nanda Maharaja and mother Yasoda are the embodiments of parental love. Above all of these are Srimati Radharani and Her assistants, the gopis Lalita, Visakha and others, who embody conjugal love.
- Child Krsna did not belong only to Nanda and Yasoda; He was the son of all the elderly inhabitants of Vrndavana and the friend of all contemporary boys and girls. Everyone loved Him. He was the life and soul of everyone, including the animals, the cows and calves.
- In the vatsalya-rasa, characterized by parental affection, one can become like Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda.
Binding the Supreme Controller
One of the most astonishing pastimes in all of Vedic history is the binding of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how Mother Yaśodā, acting out of genuine maternal duty to discipline her mischievous son, was able to bind the limitless Supreme Personality of Godhead with the ropes of her pure love.
- The Personality of Godhead appeared in Vrndavana as the son of mother Yasoda, who bound the Lord with rope just as an ordinary mother binds a material child.
- It is stated (SB 10.9.12) that Mother Yasoda bound the child Krsna with a rope, as if He were an ordinary son born of her body.
- When mother Yasoda was trying to bind the offending child, she saw that the binding rope was short by a distance the width of two fingers. Thus she brought another rope to join to it - SB 10.9.15.
The Divine Covering of Yogamāyā
To allow this intimate parental exchange to take place, the Lord's divinity must be hidden. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the internal spiritual energy, yogamāyā, completely covered Mother Yaśodā's understanding of Kṛṣṇa's supreme opulence, ensuring that her maternal feelings remained completely unalloyed.
- The glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are studied through the three Vedas, the Upanisads, the literature of Sankhya-yoga, and other Vaisnava literature, yet mother Yasoda considered that Supreme Person her ordinary child - SB 10.8.45.
- Here (in SB 10.6.9), of course, the two mothers Rohini and Yasoda were not maya-mohita, deluded by the external energy, but to develop the pastimes of the Lord, they were captivated by yogamaya. Such maya-moha is the action of yogamaya.
- Mother Yasoda, by the grace of the Lord, could understand the real truth. But then again, the supreme master, by the influence of the internal potency, yogamaya, inspired her to become absorbed in intense maternal affection for her son Krsna - SB 10.8.43.
Maternal Anxiety and Protection
Even though Kṛṣṇa is the protector of all universes, Mother Yaśodā constantly worried for His safety. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that her transcendental anxiety over demons and dangers was a pure expression of vātsalya-rasa, leading her to constantly chant protective mantras over her invincible child.
- When it was learned that the demon was entering Gokula in an angry mood, Mother Yasoda became so anxious to protect her child that her face dried up and there were tears in her eyes.
- There is the following description of Mother Yasoda's affection for Krsna: After rising early in the morning, Mother Yasoda first of all offered her breast milk to Krsna, and then she began to chant various mantras for His protection.
- Mother Yasoda sometimes enjoyed transcendental ecstasy in happiness when her child was saved from a dangerous situation, such as being attacked by Putana or some other demon.
The Incomparable Fortune of Mother Yaśodā
The perfection of love exhibited by Mother Yaśodā yielded a level of divine reciprocation unmatched in all creation. Śrīla Prabhupāda continually references the Vedic conclusion that the mercy she received surpassed even the benedictions given to the greatest demigods and the goddess of fortune.
- It is stated that Yasoda received such incomparable mercy from the Supreme Personality of Godhead that it cannot even be compared to the mercy received by Brahma, or by Lord Siva, or even by the goddess of fortune, Laksmi, who is always situated on the chest of Lord Visnu.
- What to speak of Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, the goddess of fortune, Laksmi, is the Lord's constant companion in service, since she always associates with His body. But even she could not get such mercy - as mother Yasoda.
- O learned brahmana (Sukadeva Gosvami), mother Yasoda's breast milk was sucked by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What past auspicious activities did she and Nanda Maharaja perform to achieve such perfection in ecstatic love - SB 10.8.46.
Following in Her Footsteps
While Mother Yaśodā's position is highly exalted, it serves as an inspiration for pure devotees, not an identity to be usurped. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly instructs that a Vaiṣṇava should never falsely claim to become Yaśodā, but should instead humbly follow in her footsteps to awaken pure parental devotion.
- The Mayavadis think that they have themselves become Krishna. Similarly, if we think that we are Mother Yasoda, that will be the same philosophy. You should aspire to follow the footsteps of Mother Yasoda and Love Krishna in maternal affection.
- Anyone who desires to be Krsna conscious in motherly affection or parental affection should contemplate the bodily features of mother Yasoda. It is not that one should desire to become like Yasoda, for this is Mayavada.
- By spontaneous nature they (the raganuga devotees) become attracted to some of the eternal devotees such as Nanda or Yasoda, and they try to follow in their footsteps spontaneously.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's deep explanations of Mother Yaśodā reveal the absolute pinnacle of vātsalya-rasa. Through the divine arrangement of yogamāyā, the Supreme Lord—who is beyond the full comprehension of the Vedas and the greatest demigods—becomes a completely dependent child, relishing the loving chastisement, protective anxiety, and sweet milk of His mother. Mother Yaśodā’s ability to bind the infinite Lord with the ropes of her unalloyed love demonstrates a level of mercy and intimacy unmatched anywhere in the cosmic manifestation. For the aspiring Vaiṣṇava, Mother Yaśodā stands as the ultimate eternal guide. By meditating on her activities and humbly following in her footsteps, devotees can learn the true meaning of pure, unconditional surrender and awaken their dormant love for Kṛṣṇa.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Yasoda. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.