The name “Damodara” originates from two Sanskrit words — “dama” meaning rope, and “udara” meaning belly. On one occasion, after Krishna mischievously stole butter, His affectionate mother Yashoda tied Him with a rope around His belly. Hence, He became known as Damodara. This episode shows how the Supreme Lord, though unconquerable, allows Himself to be bound by the love of His devotees.
Krishna Bound by His Mother’s Love
Once, Lord Krishna broke a pot of butter and began eating the butter in a secluded place. Mother Yashoda found Him seated on an overturned mortar, feeding butter to monkeys. Seeing His mother approach, Krishna ran in fear, but Yashoda lovingly chased and captured Him. She tried to bind Him to a mortar as gentle chastisement, but the rope was always two inches short. Finally, seeing her exhaustion and devotion, Krishna allowed Himself to be bound — showing that only love can bind the Supreme Lord.
Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva
Bound to the mortar, Krishna crawled between two arjuna trees, pulling the mortar and causing the trees to fall. From them emerged Nalakuvara and Manigriva, sons of Kuvera, who had been cursed to become trees by sage Narada. Krishna delivered them, granting them liberation and devotion.
