Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 5.135
Proper Praise Requires Clear Understanding
“You have written something irregular, not knowing the regulative principles, but the goddess of learning, Sarasvatī, has used your words to offer her prayers to the Supreme Lord.
What the purport teaches
- Because of ignorance and a leaning toward Māyāvāda philosophy, the poet could not distinguish Māyāvāda from Vaiṣṇava philosophy.
- Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī explained that the poet’s way of praising Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Jagannātha was irregular and offensive.
- Fortunately, mother Sarasvatī tactfully used the poet’s words to offer prayers to her master, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Try this today
Reread the purport and note why the poet’s intended praise needed correction.
Ask yourself
How willing am I to learn the proper understanding behind words of praise?
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.