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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
  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 ›
Antya-līlā · Chapter 1: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Second Meeting with the Lord
Antya 1.169Antya 1.171

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Antya 1.170

বিধুরেতি দিবা বিরূপতাং শতপত্রং বত শর্বরীমুখে ।

ইতি কেন সদাশ্রিয়োজ্জ্বলং তুলনামর্হতি মৎপ্রিয়াননম্ ॥ ১৭০ ॥

vidhur eti divā virūpatāṁ

śata-patraṁ bata śarvarī-mukhe

iti kena sadā śriyojjvalaṁ

tulanām arhati mat-priyānanam

Translation

“ ‘Although the effulgence of the moon is brilliant initially at night, in the daytime it fades away. Similarly, although the lotus is beautiful during the daytime, at night it closes. But, O My friend, the face of My most dear Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is always bright and beautiful, both day and night. Therefore, to what can Her face be compared?’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Rādhārāṇī’s Beauty Shines Day and Night

  1. 1

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks to Madhumaṅgala about His most dear Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

  2. 2

    The moon’s brilliance fades during the day, while the lotus, beautiful by day, closes at night.

  3. 3

    Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s face remains bright and beautiful both day and night. Kṛṣṇa therefore asks what could possibly compare with Her face.

Key points from the purport
  • This verse (Vidagdha-mādhava 5.20) is spoken by Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Madhumaṅgala.

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

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

Further reading

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

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

Although he could not follow the Bengali devotees, after some time he also came to Jagannātha Purī, where he stayed with Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī composed an important verse beginning with the words priyaḥ so ’yam, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu relished it very much.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Antya 1
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. vidhuḥthe moon
  2. etibecomes
  3. divāby daytime
  4. virūpatāmfaded away
  5. śata-patramthe lotus flower
  6. bataalas
  7. śarvarī-mukhein the beginning of evening
  8. itithus
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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: “rādhārāṇī”

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

Why are even the moon and lotus insufficient comparisons for Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s face?

Practice

Pause today to recall Kṛṣṇa’s praise: Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s face is beautiful both day and night.

Live this todayRādhārāṇī’s Beauty Shines Day and NightThis 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.

Ask Caitanya CaritamrtaHave a question about CC Antya 1.170? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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