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 3: The External Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Ādi 3.86Ādi 3.88

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Ādi 3.87

ত্বাং শীলরূপচরিতৈঃ পরমপ্রকৃষ্টৈঃ

সত্ত্বেন সাত্ত্বিকতয়া প্রবলৈশ্চ শাস্ত্রৈঃ ।

প্রখ্যাতদৈবপরমার্থবিদাং মতৈশ্চ

নৈবাসুরপ্রকৃতয়ঃ প্রভবন্তি বোদ্ধুম্‌ ॥ ৮৭ ॥

tvāṁ śīla-rūpa-caritaiḥ parama-prakṛṣṭaiḥ

sattvena sāttvikatayā prabalaiś ca śāstraiḥ

prakhyāta-daiva-paramārtha-vidāṁ mataiś ca

naivāsura-prakṛtayaḥ prabhavanti boddhum

Translation

“O my Lord, those influenced by demoniac principles cannot realize You, although You are clearly the Supreme by dint of Your exalted activities, forms, character and uncommon power, which are confirmed by all the revealed scriptures in the quality of goodness and the celebrated transcendentalists in the divine nature.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Know Kṛṣṇa Through Authentic Scripture

  1. 1

    Authentic scriptures describe Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental activities, features, form and qualities. Kṛṣṇa explains Himself in the Bhagavad-gītā and is further explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead by authentic scriptures, not simply by popular opinion. No vote can place someone in the position of God.

  3. 3

    Those influenced by demoniac principles cannot realize the Lord despite His exalted activities, character and uncommon power. Revealed scriptures and celebrated transcendentalists confirm His supremacy.

Key points from the purport
  • The authentic scriptures describe the transcendental activities, features, form and qualities of Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa explains Himself in the Bhagavad-gītā, the most authentic scripture in the world.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead by these authentic scriptures, not simply by vox populi.
  • In the Bhagavad-gītā the Lord says that only fools deride Him, thinking that anyone can speak like Kṛṣṇa.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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

Further reading

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 summaryBack to this verse in Ādi 3
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. tvāmYou
  2. śīlacharacter
  3. rūpaforms
  4. caritaiḥby acts
  5. paramamost
  6. prakṛṣṭaiḥeminent
  7. sattvenaby uncommon power
  8. sāttvikatayāwith the quality of predominant goodness
3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I base my understanding of Kṛṣṇa on authentic scripture or on popular opinion?

Practice

Read a short passage from the Bhagavad-gītā today, attending to how Kṛṣṇa explains Himself.

Live this todayKnow Kṛṣṇa Through Authentic ScriptureThis 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 3.87? 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