Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 14.42
The Lord’s Play Is Rooted in Love
“Śacīmātā said, “Why do You steal others’ things? Why do You beat the other children? And why do You go inside others’ houses? What do You not have in Your own house?””
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa Himself. His stealing and fighting are not those of a thief or enemy, but of a friend in a loving condition.
- The Lord steals as a child not because He is in want, but out of a natural instinct. Śacīmātā asks what He lacks in His own house.
- Whatever we find in the material world already exists in the spiritual world. There these activities are free from miserable conditions and take place in friendship and love, whereas material stealing and fighting are based on enmity and envy.
Try this today
Write one sentence distinguishing the Lord’s loving childhood play from actions based on envy.
Ask yourself
How does knowing that the Lord acts in friendship and love change your understanding of His childhood play?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.