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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 7: Lord Caitanya in Five Features
Ādi 7.144Ādi 7.146

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Ādi 7.145

প্রেমা হৈতে কৃষ্ণ হয় নিজ ভক্তবশ ।

প্রেমা হৈতে পায় কৃষ্ণের সেবা–সুখরস ॥ ১৪৫ ॥

premā haite kṛṣṇa haya nija bhakta-vaśa

premā haite pāya kṛṣṇera sevā-sukha-rasa

Translation

“The Supreme Lord, who is greater than the greatest, becomes submissive to even a very insignificant devotee because of his devotional service. It is the beautiful and exalted nature of devotional service that the infinite Lord becomes submissive to the infinitesimal living entity because of it. In reciprocal devotional activities with the Lord, the devotee actually enjoys the transcendental mellow of devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Devotion Wins the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    For one who develops love of Godhead, liberation becomes subservient and unimportant. Becoming one with the Supreme Lord is not the devotee's priority.

  2. 2

    Although the Lord is greater than the greatest, He becomes submissive to an insignificant devotee through sincere and unalloyed devotional service.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa became Arjuna's chariot driver and carried out his request to place the chariot between the two armies. This shows the Lord's reciprocal relationship with His devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • Mukti stands before the devotee and is prepared to render all kinds of services.
  • The Māyāvādī philosophers’ standard of mukti is very insignificant for a devotee, for by devotional service even the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes subordinate to him.
  • Such is the relationship between the Supreme Lord and a devotee that although the Lord is greater than the greatest, He is prepared to render service to the insignificant devotee by dint of his sincere and unalloyed devotional service.

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

Collective delight. The Pañca-tattva gives divine love a relational and communal form.

The mood of Ādi 7 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Ādi 7: Lord Caitanya in Five Features

Back to this verse in Ādi 7
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. premālove of Kṛṣṇa
  2. haitefrom
  3. kṛṣṇathe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. hayabecomes
  5. nijaHis own
  6. bhakta-vaśasubmissive to devotees
  7. premālove of God
  8. haitefrom
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Bhāva & rasa · The language of sacred feeling

    Transcendental devotional moods and relationships, discussed explicitly in Rāmānanda’s dialogue and the teachings on prema. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “mellow”, “relationship”

  • 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: “insignificant”

  • 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.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Kṛṣṇa's willingness to serve His devotee teach me about sincere devotion?

Practice

Perform one small act of service to Kṛṣṇa today, giving attention to the sincerity of your intention.

Live this todaySincere Devotion Wins the Supreme LordThis 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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