1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by līlā and chapter

Ādi-līlā · 17 chapters

1234567891011121314151617
How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Say the verse. Read the transliteration aloud, slowly.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each word and its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation. Ask: what is happening here, and who is it about?
  4. 4Read the purport slowly. Read it twice. Don't rush.
  5. 5See Lord Caitanya as Kṛṣṇa. Remember who is acting in the pastime.
  6. 6Take one thing into your day. Note one point and one practice.
Read the full guide: how to read Caitanya Caritamrta ›
Ādi-līlā · Chapter 1: The Spiritual Masters
Ādi 1.64Ādi 1.67

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Texts Ādi 1.65-66

ঈশ্বরের অবতার এ–তিন প্রকার ।

অংশ–অবতার, আর গুণ–অবতার ॥ ৬৫ ॥

শক্ত্যাবেশ–অবতার—তৃতীয় এমত ।

অংশ–অবতার—পুরুষ–মৎস্যাদিক যত ॥ ৬৬ ॥

īśvarera avatāra e-tina prakāra

aṁśa-avatāra, āra guṇa-avatāra

Translation

There are three categories of incarnations of Godhead: partial incarnations, qualitative incarnations and empowered incarnations. The puruṣas and Matsya are examples of partial incarnations.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Three Categories of Incarnations

  1. 1

    There are three categories of incarnations of Godhead.

  2. 2

    These are partial incarnations, qualitative incarnations and empowered incarnations.

  3. 3

    The puruṣas and Matsya are examples of partial incarnations.

How it feels

Reverence and gratitude. The narrator takes shelter of the guru-paramparā; receptivity begins with humility.

The mood of Ādi 1 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Ādi 1: The Spiritual Masters

From Śrīla Prabhupāda's chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

These incarnations are considered in three divisions — incarnations of the potency of the Lord, incarnations of His qualities, and incarnations of His authority. In this connection, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s direct manifestations and His manifestations for transcendental pastimes are discussed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Ādi 1
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. īśvareraof the Supreme Lord
  2. avatāraincarnations
  3. e-tinathese three
  4. prakārakinds
  5. aṁśa-avatārapartial incarnations
  6. āraand
  7. guṇa-avatāraqualitative incarnations
  8. śakti-āveśa-avatāraempowered incarnations
3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which examples help you remember the category of partial incarnations?

Practice

Write down the three categories and place the puruṣas and Matsya under partial incarnations.

Live this todayThree Categories of IncarnationsThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask Caitanya CaritamrtaHave a question about CC Ādi 1.65-66? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 9 · 2 minAsk Caitanya CaritamrtaBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the book's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnLīlās & chapters