The Unconquerable Conquered: Damodara and the Power of Devotion

Is God a mean and spiteful person to be feared? Traditionally known as Ajita, the Supreme Being is the Unconquerable Lord, the source of everything, whose form embodies eternity, knowledge, and bliss (sach-chid-ānanda-rūpaḿ). He is the magnificent origin of all beauty, the light of the sun and the moon, and the master of time, the great destroyer.

But in the sacred land of Gokula, this Almighty, whose belly is the abode of the entire universe, revealed His sweetest truth: He is only conquered by pure, unconditional love.

Appearing as the all-attractive child Shri Krishna, the Lord broke Mother Yashoda's pot of yogurt and ran away from her in fear. Though He is infinite and elusive, Mother Yashoda ran faster than He and was able to catch Him. As punishment, she bound Him to a grinding mortar, earning Him the famous name Damodara, meaning "one who is bound by the belly".

This sacred incident proves that the Supreme Lord is bound not by physical ropes, but by His devotee's pure love (bhakti-baddham). This intimate pastime (lila) has the power to drown the connected in pools of ecstasy and deliver souls from the ocean of worldly sorrows.

Through the glorious example of Damodara, you will discover that God is a beautiful person whom no one need fear. Learn why the wisest sages, like Satyavrata Muni, reject all other benedictions-including impersonal liberation (moksha) and eternal life in Vaikuntha-in favor of seeking that ultimate gift: the Lord's own prema-bhakti (pure devotion).

Catch Him and be draped by His protection-for the unconquerable God is always found and controlled by the power of devotion.