Question: Dāmodara līlā lasts only one day, while we celebrate it for an entire month. In contrast, Govardhana līlā lasts for seven days, while we celebrate it for one day. Is there anything significant about Dāmodara līlā?
Answer by Romapada Swami：
Govardhana līlā is not greater than Dāmodara līlā.
Perhaps that is your understanding, but that is not what our Acharyas indicate.
The fact that we worship the Dāmodara līlā the whole month is due to the fact that this is the month of Dāmodara.
It is not the “month of Govardhana.”
So, then, what is special about the Dāmodara līlā that results in our worshiping it for the whole month?
There are many wonderful celebrations during the entire Kārtika month. However, the Dāmodara līlā takes a very special position.
There are several factors to be considered, but perhaps the most outstanding factor is Kṛṣṇa’s demonstrating that He is controlled by the love of His devotees.
In all cases, Kṛṣṇa is controlled by His devotees. However, the control that is exhibited by Mother Yaśodā is superlative.
Just as Queen Kunti expresses in her prayers to Krishna (Chapter 8 of Canto 1 of Srimad Bhagavatam), in many ways, Kṛṣṇa shows different contradictory characteristics.
On the one hand, Kṛṣṇa is the unlimited Supreme Lord. And on the other hand, He is subordinate to His devotees. That is the superlative trait that Krishna shows the world.
Mother Yaśodā is eternally in a relationship as Kṛṣṇa’s mother.
Like other rasas, one who follows the path Mother Yaśodā can achieve the same kind of love as the residents of Vṛndāvana and that is this feature of the Dāmodara month.
Mother Yaśodā is a perfected, a nitya-siddha, personality.
Other associates of Vṛndāvana are also nitya-siddha devotees.
The path of spontaneous devotion can be achieved by following these perfected devotees in the way that Rūpa Gosvāmī has taught us.
This teaching of bhakti is essential for those who are followers of Lord Caitanya.
Therefore, the Dāmodara līlā takes prominence.
The teaching of spontaneous love like the residents of Vṛndāvana is taught though the love of Mother Yaśodā.
