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Study a Verse

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

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Ādi-līlā · 17 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Say the verse. Read the transliteration aloud, slowly.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each word and its meaning.
3Read the translation. Ask: what is happening here, and who is it about?
4Read the purport slowly. Read it twice. Don't rush.
5See Lord Caitanya as Kṛṣṇa. Remember who is acting in the pastime.
6Take one thing into your day. Note one point and one practice.

Read the full guide: how to read Caitanya Caritamrta ›

Ādi-līlā · Chapter 3: The External Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Ādi 3.82 Ādi 3.84

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Ādi 3.83

অহমেব ক্কচিদ্ব্রহ্মন্‌ সন্ন্যাসাশ্রমমাশ্রিতঃ ।

হরিভক্তিং গ্রাহয়ামি কলৌ পাপহতান্নরান্ ॥ ৮৩ ॥

aham eva kvacid brahman

sannyāsāśramam āśritaḥ

hari-bhaktiṁ grāhayāmi

kalau pāpa-hatān narān

Translation

“O learned brāhmaṇa, sometimes I accept the renounced order of life to induce the fallen people of the Age of Kali to accept devotional service to the Lord.”

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Renunciation to Encourage Devotional Service

1
The Lord says that He sometimes accepts the renounced order of life.
2
He does so to induce the fallen people of the Age of Kali to accept devotional service.
3
Devotional service to the Lord is the purpose of this acceptance of renunciation.

How it feels

Compassion and urgency. The holy name is offered for the age; divine love moves outward toward others.

The mood of Ādi 3 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Ādi 3: The External Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

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

This forgetfulness was so overwhelming that Advaita Prabhu was convinced that no one but Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself could enlighten people about devotional service to the Supreme Lord. Therefore Advaita requested Lord Kṛṣṇa to appear as Lord Caitanya.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in Ādi 3

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

ahamI
evacertainly
kvacitsomewhere
brahmanO brāhmaṇa
sannyāsa-āśramamthe renounced order of life
āśritaḥtaking recourse to
hari-bhaktimdevotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
grāhayāmiI shall give

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

Dainya & humility · Making room for grace
The humility expressed by the author, devotees, transformed scholars, renunciants, and the Śikṣāṣṭaka. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “fallen”
Sevā · Love translated into service
Devotional service expressed through cleansing, caring, teaching, honoring others, and living as Kṛṣṇa’s servant. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “service”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I respond today to the Lord’s encouragement to accept devotional service?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today for a simple act of devotional service to the Lord.

Live this todayRenunciation to Encourage Devotional ServiceThis 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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