Infinite Within Finite

[Paramhamsa Vani]

Sree Sree Guru Gaurangau Jayatah!

Mother Yasoda, measuring the belly of her little child Gopala, brought the rope but could not fasten it as the rope was short by two fingers. She was very surprised. She brought another rope and joined it with the first rope and again it was two fingers less. The rope was made very long (say more than a mile) yet she could not fasten the child. Every time it was two fingers less. As the Supreme Lord in that little child Form is infinite, infinite miles of rope will not be able to fasten the child. This is His inconceivable power. Within a finite form, He is infinite. Rabindranath Tagore has also said, “simara madhye asim tumi”—God is infinite within a limited Form. Yasoda was very tired. All the gopis were laughing from a distance. Yet Yasoda did not stop trying to fasten Gopala. Ultimately, the Supreme Lord, being attracted by the tremendous sweet affection of His mother, accepted fastening. Then the child could be tied by the first rope. Two fingers being less every time indicates that to get God, His grace as well as sincere steadfast endeavor of service to attract His grace are both essential. When these two coincide, the desired fruit will be achieved.

--- Jagad-guru His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj