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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

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 ›

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Ādi 8.81

বৃন্দাবন–দাসের পাদপদ্ম করি’ ধ্যান ।

তাঁর আজ্ঞা লঞা লিখি যাহাতে কল্যাণ ॥ ৮১ ॥

vṛndāvana-dāsera pāda-padma kari’ dhyāna

tāṅra ājñā lañā likhi yāhāte kalyāṇa

Translation

I took permission from Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura by praying at his lotus feet, and upon receiving his order I have attempted to write this auspicious literature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seeking permission before writing auspicious literature

  1. 1

    The author sought permission from Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura by praying at his lotus feet. Upon receiving his order, he attempted to write this auspicious literature.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī took permission not only from the Vaiṣṇavas and Madana-mohana but also from Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.

  3. 3

    Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura is understood to be the Vyāsa of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī took permission not only from the Vaiṣṇavas and Madana-mohana but also from Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, who is understood to be the Vyāsa of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

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

Vulnerability and obedience. Kavirāja writes by mercy and command rather than personal self-assertion.

The mood of Ādi 8 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Ādi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Kṛṣṇa and Guru

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

In his very old age, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī went to Vṛndāvana, and by the order of Śrī Madana-mohanajī he wrote Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Thus we are now able to relish its transcendental bliss.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Ādi 8
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. vṛndāvana-dāseraof Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura
  2. pāda-padmalotus feet
  3. kari’doing
  4. dhyānameditation
  5. tāṅrahis
  6. ājñāorder
  7. lañāreceiving
  8. likhiI write
  9. yāhātein which permission
  10. kalyāṇaall auspiciousness
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”

  • Vraja-smaraṇa · Remembrance of Vṛndāvana

    The remembered sweetness of Vraja that colors Mahāprabhu’s pilgrimage, Ratha-yātrā, and later states of separation. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “vṛndāvana”

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 can seeking permission help you approach devotional work with humility?

Practice

Before reading today, offer a respectful prayer at the lotus feet of Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.

Live this todaySeeking permission before writing auspicious literatureThis 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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