Verse 2.4.227

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 2.4.227:

मन्ये महा-प्रेष्ठ-जनानुवश्यता न दुःख-दोषौ विदधीत कौचन ।
किन्तु प्रमोदं निज-भक्त-वत्सल-त्वादीन् महा-कीर्ति-गुणांस् तनोति सा ॥ २२७ ॥

manye mahā-preṣṭha-janānuvaśyatā na duḥkha-doṣau vidadhīta kaucana |
kintu pramodaṃ nija-bhakta-vatsala-tvādīn mahā-kīrti-guṇāṃs tanoti sā || 227 ||

manye–I think; mahā-preṣṭha-jana–by His dearly beloved devotees; anuvaśyatā–being controlled; na–not; duḥkha–unhappiness; doṣau–or inconvenience; vidadhīta–create; kaucana–any; kintu–rather; pramodam–great bliss; nija–own; bhakta–for devotees; vatsalatva–the quality of affection; ādīn–and so forth; mahā–great; kīrti–renown; guṇān–virtues; tanoti–broadcasts; sā–that (the activity of being subjugated by His devotees).

However, we think that Śrī Bhagavān does not experience distress or inconvenience when subjugated by His dearmost devotees. Rather, He finds great bliss when under their control. In this way, Bhagavān broadcasts His glorious quality of being affectionate to His devotees.

Commentary: Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā with Bhāvānuvāda

(By Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī himself including a deep purport of that commentary)

After having expressed the opinion of others, Śrī Nārada refutes it and conveys his own view in two verses, beginning here with manye.

He says, “When Bhagavān agrees to submit to His intimate devotees, neither party experiences any distress or inconvenience. Also, the subsequent decrease of awe and reverence does not give rise to any defect. Accepting this subjugation, Bhagavān brings joy to the world and expands His illustrious reputation for being affectionate to His devotees.” The word ādi indicates qualities such as the great munificence the Lord displays towards His devotees.

He continues, “In this way, the mutual bliss of Bhagavān and the devotees grows, manifesting the pastimes of ever-increasing affection that wipe out any last trace of distress. There is nothing wrong with the Supreme Controller submitting to the control of His devotees; rather, this increases His celebrity of being bhakta-vatsala (affectionate to His devotees) and is a sign of His greatness.”