(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 8 April 2019, Amritsar, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.6.37)
Devotional service binds us to Krsna in responsibility. The first time we do little seva, we gradually start to develop our service and the more service we take, the more we continue to develop our service. For example, Srimati Radharani came from Yavat to Mother Yashoda’s house everyday to cook for Krsna. Radharani took that service very seriously. It was her responsibility to cook for Krsna, and she was bound to that service. So one might think, what freedom is there in such service when it looks like the duty is actually limiting one’s freedom? Heavy duty…
So this is our dilemma, because we want our freedom. We want to make our own choices. Being bound by duty or by obligation is like signing a contract… it is all too oppressive. This puts great stress on the mind and creates a disturbance. But it is out of love that one can both be bound and be happy at the same time. If you bind me with duty or with ropes or with chains, I will not be happy. But if you bind me with love, I will be happy. Oh yes, then you can bind me (laughter). When one is bound by love, one is actually not loosing their freedom.