Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 16.108
Humble Submission, Not Pride in Learning
“The poetic champion was certainly most fortunate. His life was successful by dint of his vast learning and erudite scholarship, and thus he attained the shelter of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”
What the purport teaches
- The poetic champion was most fortunate: his learning culminated in attaining the shelter of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
- Śrī Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura sings that being most fallen is the best qualification for taking shelter of Lord Caitanya. The Lord came specifically to deliver fallen souls.
- Pride in false learning disqualifies one from accepting the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Although the poet was greatly learned, the Lord favored him because of his humble submission.
Try this today
Offer one humble prayer asking for Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s shelter, without presenting your learning or achievements as qualifications.
Ask yourself
Does what you know help you seek the Lord’s shelter, or sometimes make you feel you do not need Him?
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.