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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 5: The Glories Of Lord Nityānanda Balarāma
Ādi 5.140Ādi 5.142

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Ādi 5.141

যস্যাঙ্ঘ্রিপঙ্কজরজোঽখিললোক–পালৈ–

র্মৌল্যুত্তমৈর্ধৃতমুপাসিত–তীর্থতীর্থম্‌ ।

ব্রহ্মা ভবোঽহমপি যস্য কলাঃ কলায়াঃ

শ্রীশ্চোদ্বহেম চিরমস্য নৃপাসনং ক্ব?॥ ১৪১ ॥

yasyāṅghri-paṅkaja-rajo ’khila-loka-pālair

mauly-uttamair dhṛtam upāsita-tīrtha-tīrtham

brahmā bhavo ’ham api yasya kalāḥ kalāyāḥ

śrīś codvahema ciram asya nṛpāsanaṁ kva

Translation

“What is the value of a throne to Lord Kṛṣṇa? The masters of the various planetary systems accept the dust of His lotus feet on their crowned heads. That dust makes the holy places sacred, and even Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Lakṣmī and I Myself, who are all portions of His plenary portion, eternally carry that dust on our heads.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet Surpass Royal Honor

  1. 1

    The Kauravas spoke ill of Śrī Kṛṣṇa while flattering Baladeva to gain His support. Lord Baladeva became angry and spoke in praise of Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    A throne has little value for Lord Kṛṣṇa: the masters of the planetary systems accept the dust of His lotus feet on their crowned heads.

  3. 3

    That dust makes the holy places sacred. Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Lakṣmī and Baladeva eternally carry it on their heads.

Key points from the purport
  • When the Kauravas, to flatter Baladeva so that He would become their ally, spoke ill of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord Baladeva became angry and spoke this verse (Bhāg. 10.68.37).

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

Connected verses· 1

The purport of CC Ādi 5.141 quotesSB 10.68.37

When the Kauravas, to flatter Baladeva so that He would become their ally, spoke ill of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord Baladeva became angry and spoke this verse.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Shelter and wonder. The glory of Nityānanda reveals the intimate support behind the descent.

The mood of Ādi 5 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Ādi 5: The Glories Of Lord Nityānanda Balarāma

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

Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu reclines in the midst of the watery portion of the universe and generates the first living creature of the universe, Brahmā. The imaginary universal form is a partial manifestation of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Ādi 5
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. yasyawhose
  2. aṅghri-paṅkajalotuslike feet
  3. rajaḥthe dust
  4. akhila-lokaof the universal planetary systems
  5. pālaiḥby the masters
  6. mauli-uttamaiḥwith valuable turbans on their heads
  7. dhṛtamaccepted
  8. upāsitaworshiped
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 this verse change your sense of what deserves the highest honor?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to offer respect to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet Surpass Royal HonorThis 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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