Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 17.229
Our Relationship With Kṛṣṇa Never Breaks
“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu caused the dead son to speak about knowledge, and then the two brothers personally became the sons of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura patiently kept the kīrtana from being disturbed by lamentation over his son’s death. When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu learned of the death, He expressed regret that He had not been told earlier.
- At the Lord’s request, the dead boy explained that he was His eternal servant and was going elsewhere according to His direction. His words gave the family transcendental knowledge: at death one accepts another body, so sober persons do not lament.
- The Lord assured Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura that He and Nityānanda Prabhu were his eternal sons and would never give up his company. Material relationships end, but our relationship with Kṛṣṇa, revived by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s grace, never breaks to cause lamentation.
Try this today
Take one minute today to reflect on the boy’s words: “I am Your eternal servant, a dependent living being.”
Ask yourself
How might remembering my eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa change the way I understand temporary relationships?
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.