Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 5.159
Gopāla’s Transcendental Form and Protection
“The glories of Lord Gopāla, who is merciful to brāhmaṇas, are very great. The narration of Sākṣi-gopāla was spoken by Nityānanda Prabhu and heard by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”
What the purport teaches
- The Deity of Śrī Gopāla is eternally sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha, the transcendental form of the Lord. The Deity surpasses material regulative principles and extends the reality of transcendental principles.
- One can be situated in a transcendental position after becoming a brāhmaṇa. As a brāhmaṇa, however, one must follow the regulative principles very strictly.
- The name brahmaṇya-deva indicates Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself. A devotee under Kṛṣṇa’s protection is automatically situated as a brāhmaṇa, and such a brāhmaṇa is not illusioned.
Try this today
Spend a minute reflecting on Śrī Gopāla as the eternal transcendental form of the Lord.
Ask yourself
How does understanding Gopāla’s Deity as the Lord’s eternal transcendental form affect your regard for Him?
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.