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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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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 4: The Confidential Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Ādi 4.98 Ādi 4.101

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Texts Ādi 4.99-100

প্রেমভক্তি শিখাইতে আপনে অবতরি ।

রাধা–ভাব–কান্তি দুই অঙ্গীকার করি’ ॥ ৯৯ ॥

শ্রীকৃষ্ণচৈতন্যরূপে কৈল অবতার।

এই ত’ পঞ্চম শ্লোকের অর্থ পরচার ॥ ১০০ ॥

prema-bhakti śikhāite āpane avatari

rādhā-bhāva-kānti dui aṅgīkāra kari’

Translation

To promulgate prema-bhakti [devotional service in love of Godhead], Kṛṣṇa appeared as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya with the mood and complexion of Śrī Rādhā. Thus I have explained the meaning of the fifth verse.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Appears as Caitanya to Spread Love

1
Kṛṣṇa Himself appeared as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya.
2
He appeared with the mood and complexion of Śrī Rādhā.
3
His purpose was to promulgate prema-bhakti, devotional service in love of Godhead.

How it feels

Profound longing. Kṛṣṇa desires to taste Rādhā’s love, His own sweetness as She sees it, and Her joy.

The mood of Ādi 4 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Ādi 4: The Confidential Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

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

The third reason that Lord Caitanya appeared was to enjoy the bliss tasted by Rādhārāṇī. The Lord thought that undoubtedly Rādhārāṇī enjoyed His company and He enjoyed the company of Rādhārāṇī, but the exchange of transcendental mellow between the spiritual couple was more pleasing to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī than to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in Ādi 4

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

prema-bhaktidevotional service in love of Godhead
śikhāiteto teach
āpaneHimself
avataridescending
rādhā-bhāvathe mood of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī
kāntiand luster
duitwo
aṅgīkāra kari’accepting

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

Prema · Love of Godhead
The culminating devotional purpose that unites the narration: bestowed, cultivated, taught, celebrated, and tasted. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “love of godhead”, “prema-bhakti”
Rādhā-bhāva · The confidential inner purpose
The Lord’s desire to taste the love and perspective of Śrī Rādhā, illuminated by later ecstatic pastimes. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “rādhā”
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 does knowing His purpose shape your understanding of devotional service?

Practice

Write down the meaning of prema-bhakti and spend a moment reflecting on loving service to Godhead.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Appears as Caitanya to Spread LoveThis 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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