Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.258
Hearing and Chanting Lead to Loving Service
“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “According to the verdict of the śāstras, the process of hearing and chanting is the best means to attain loving service to Kṛṣṇa.”
What the purport teaches
- The Tattvavādīs taught that performing the duties of the four varṇas and āśramas for Kṛṣṇa was the best process. They understood the highest goal as returning home, back to Godhead.
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu differed: according to the śāstras, hearing and chanting about Lord Viṣṇu is the best means to attain loving service to Kṛṣṇa.
- He taught that the highest goal is love of Godhead, whether in the material or spiritual world. In the material world this is practiced according to scriptural injunction; in the spiritual world the achievement is already there.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes today hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa with the intention of developing loving service.
Ask yourself
How can I make love of Godhead, rather than merely a change of place, the aim of my practice?
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.