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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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Antya-līlā · 20 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 ›

Antya-līlā · Chapter 1: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Second Meeting with the Lord

Antya 1.106 Antya 1.108

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Antya 1.107

‘ঈশ্বর-স্বভাব’ — ভক্তের না লয় অপরাধ ।

অল্পসেবা বহু মানে আত্মপর্যন্ত প্রসাদ ॥ ১০৭ ॥

‘īśvara-svabhāva’ — bhaktera nā laya aparādha

alpa-sevā bahu māne ātma-paryanta prasāda

Translation

Characteristically, the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not take seriously an offense committed by a pure devotee. The Lord accepts whatever small service a devotee renders as being such a great service that He is prepared to give even Himself, what to speak of other benedictions.

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.

The Lord Greatly Values Small Service

1
The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not take seriously an offense committed by a pure devotee.
2
He accepts even a small service from a devotee as something very great.
3
The Lord is prepared to give even Himself in return, what to speak of other benedictions.

How it feels

Recognition and encouragement. Rūpa’s devotional insight receives the Lord’s approval; even a dog receives mercy.

The mood of Antya 1 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Antya 1: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Second Meeting with the Lord

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

After this incident, the dog was liberated and went back home, back to Godhead. Meanwhile, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī reached Bengal, after returning from Vṛndāvana.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in Antya 1

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

īśvara-svabhāvathe characteristic of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
bhakteraof the pure devotee
nā layadoes not take
aparādhaany offense
alpa-sevāvery small service
bahu mānethe Lord accepts as very great
ātma-paryantagiving Himself
prasādamercy

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

Sādhu-saṅga · Love grows through association
Spiritual association shapes the movement, empowers disciples, and reveals truths through loving conversations. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “pure devotee”
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 the Lord’s appreciation of small service encourage you to serve Him?

Practice

Offer one small act of service to the Lord today, remembering how greatly He values it.

Live this todayThe Lord Greatly Values Small ServiceThis 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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