Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 2.88
Sanskrit Verses Need Not Prevent Understanding
“In reply to those critics who say that Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is full of Sanskrit verses, it can be said that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is also full of Sanskrit verses, as are the commentaries on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Nonetheless, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam can be understood by everyone, as well as by advanced devotees who study the Sanskrit commentaries. Why, then, will people not understand the Caitanya-caritāmṛta? There are only a few Sanskrit verses, and these have been explained in the Bengali vernacular. What is the difficulty in understanding?”
What the purport teaches
- Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and its commentaries contain Sanskrit verses. Nevertheless, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam can be understood by everyone.
- Advanced devotees also study its Sanskrit commentaries. The presence of Sanskrit does not make the text inaccessible.
- Caitanya-caritāmṛta contains only a few Sanskrit verses, and these are explained in Bengali. Their presence is therefore no reason to assume the book cannot be understood.
Try this today
Reread one passage you found difficult today, using its supplied translation or explanation rather than skipping it.
Ask yourself
Do unfamiliar words make me hesitate to study, even when explanations are available?
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.