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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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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 1.178Antya 1.180

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Antya 1.179

“কাঁহা তোমার কৃষ্ণরসকাব্য-সুধাসিন্ধু ।

তার মধ্যে মিথ্যা কেনে স্তুতি-ক্ষারবিন্দু” ॥ ১৭৯ ॥

“kāṅhā tomāra kṛṣṇa-rasa-kāvya-sudhā-sindhu

tāra madhye mithyā kene stuti-kṣāra-bindu”

Translation

“Your exalted poetic descriptions of the mellows of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes are like an ocean of nectar. But why have you put in a false prayer about Me? It is like a drop of detestable alkali.”

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s Pastimes

  1. 1

    Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu compares the exalted poetic descriptions of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes to an ocean of nectar.

  2. 2

    Yet He calls the prayer about Himself false, comparing it to a drop of detestable alkali.

  3. 3

    His words show deep appreciation for the poetry about Kṛṣṇa while expressing reluctance to accept praise of Himself.

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:

After examining the manuscripts of these two books, Rāmānanda Rāya approved and appreciated them very much. After the period of Cāturmāsya, all the devotees who had come from Bengal returned to their homes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Antya 1
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. kāṅhāwhere
  2. tomārayour
  3. kṛṣṇa-rasa-kāvyaof exalted poetry concerning the mellows of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes
  4. sudhā-sindhuocean of the nectar
  5. tāra madhyewithin that
  6. mithyāfalse
  7. kenewhy
  8. stutiprayer
  9. kṣāra-bindulike a drop of alkali
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: “mellows”

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 can I learn from appreciating another’s work without seeking praise for myself?

Practice

Read the comparison to an ocean of nectar slowly, and pause to appreciate the descriptions of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.

Live this todayNectar of Kṛṣṇa’s PastimesThis 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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