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

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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 16: The Pastimes of the Lord in His Childhood and Youth
Ādi 16.40Ādi 16.42

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Ādi 16.41

মহত্ত্বং গঙ্গায়াঃ সততমিদমাভাতি নিতরাং

যদেষা শ্রীবিষ্ণোশ্চরণকমলোৎপত্তিসুভগা ।

দ্বিতীয়–শ্রীলক্ষ্মীরিব সুরনরৈরর্চ্যচরণা

ভবানীভর্তুর্যা শিরসি বিভবত্যদ্ভুতগুণা ॥ ৪১ ॥

mahattvaṁ gaṅgāyāḥ satatam idam ābhāti nitarāṁ

yad eṣā śrī-viṣṇoś caraṇa-kamalotpatti-subhagā

dvitīya-śrī-lakṣmīr iva sura-narair arcya-caraṇā

bhavānī-bhartur yā śirasi vibhavaty adbhuta-guṇā

Translation

“ ‘The greatness of mother Ganges always brilliantly exists. She is the most fortunate because she emanated from the lotus feet of Śrī Viṣṇu, the Personality of Godhead. She is a second goddess of fortune, and therefore she is always worshiped both by demigods and by humanity. endowed with all wonderful qualities, she flourishes on the head of Lord Śiva.’”

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.

The Ganges Is Glorious Through Her Divine Origin

  1. 1

    Mother Ganges’ greatness always shines brilliantly. She is most fortunate because she emanated from the lotus feet of Śrī Viṣṇu, the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    She is described as a second goddess of fortune. Both demigods and humanity always worship her.

  3. 3

    Endowed with all wonderful qualities, she flourishes on the head of Lord Śiva.

How it feels

Grief and transformed pride. Lakṣmīdevī’s departure brings sorrow; Keśava Kāśmīrī’s pride yields to surrender.

The mood of Ādi 16 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Ādi 16: The Pastimes of the Lord in His Childhood and Youth

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

Therefore at her request He later married His second wife, Viṣṇupriyā-devī. This chapter also describes the Lord’s argument with Keśava Kāśmīrī, the celebrated scholar, and the Lord’s criticism of his prayer glorifying mother Ganges.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Ādi 16
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. mahattvamgreatness
  2. gaṅgāyāḥof mother Ganges
  3. satatamalways
  4. idamthis
  5. ābhātishines
  6. nitarāmwithout comparison
  7. yatbecause
  8. eṣāshe
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

    Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “lotus feet”

Concept links are an editorial study map; only the verse is the text itself.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the Ganges’ connection with Śrī Viṣṇu deepen your appreciation of her greatness?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and recall why mother Ganges is called most fortunate.

Live this todayThe Ganges Is Glorious Through Her Divine OriginThis 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.

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