Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 16.121-122
The Paradoxical Power of Kṛṣṇa’s Lips
“My dear lover,” Lord Caitanya said in the mood of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, “let Me describe some of the characteristics of Your transcendental lips. They agitate the mind and body of everyone, they increase lusty desires for enjoyment, they destroy the burden of material happiness and lamentation, and they make one forget all material tastes. The whole world falls under their control. They vanquish shame, religion and patience, especially in women. Indeed, they inspire madness in the minds of all women. Your lips increase the greed of the tongue and thus attract it. Considering all this, We see that the activities of Your transcendental lips are always paradoxical.
What the purport teaches
- Lord Caitanya speaks in the mood of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, addressing Kṛṣṇa as Her dear lover. His transcendental lips agitate the mind and body and increase desires for enjoyment.
- Those lips destroy the burden of material happiness and lamentation and make one forget all material tastes. The whole world falls under their control.
- They vanquish shame, religion, and patience, especially in women, while inspiring madness and increasing the tongue’s longing. Their activities are therefore described as always paradoxical.
Try this today
Write down one paradox described here, keeping in mind that Lord Caitanya is speaking in Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s mood.
Ask yourself
What contrast do you notice between increasing longing and making material tastes disappear?
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.