Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 5.120
Learn Before Describing the Absolute Truth
“Svarūpa Dāmodara continued, “Because you have committed an offense to Lord Jagannātha and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, you will attain a hellish destination. You do not know how to describe the Absolute Truth, but nevertheless you have tried to do so. Therefore you must be condemned.”
What the purport teaches
- The poet tried to describe the Absolute Truth without knowledge of it. Svarūpa Dāmodara condemned this as offensive and warned of a hellish destination.
- The poet separated Lord Jagannātha’s body from His soul and indicated that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was different from Lord Jagannātha. In this way, he offended both Lords.
- One who lacks knowledge of the Absolute Truth is called a-tattva-jña. Describing the Absolute Truth from a position of bodily self-worship, fruitive activity or sense gratification leads to offense.
Try this today
Choose one statement you would make about the Lord and check it against this translation and purport.
Ask yourself
Am I willing to acknowledge what I do not yet understand before speaking about the Lord?
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.