1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by līlā and chapter

Antya-līlā · 20 chapters

1234567891011121314151617181920
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 1.187Antya 1.189

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Antya 1.188

হরিমুদ্দিশতে রজোভরঃ, পুরতঃ সঙ্গময়ত্যমুং তমঃ ।

ব্রজবামদৃশাং ন পদ্ধতিঃ, প্রকটা সর্বদৃশঃ শ্রুতেরপি ॥ ১৮৮ ॥

harim uddiśate rajo-bharaḥ

purataḥ saṅgamayaty amuṁ tamaḥ

vraja-vāma-dṛśāṁ na paddhatiḥ

prakaṭā sarva-dṛśaḥ śruter api

Translation

“ ‘The dust from cows and calves on the road creates a kind of darkness indicating that Kṛṣṇa is returning home from the pasture. Also, the darkness of evening provokes the gopīs to meet Kṛṣṇa. Thus the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs are covered by a kind of transcendental darkness and are therefore impossible for ordinary scholars of the Vedas to see.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pastimes Hidden by Transcendental Darkness

  1. 1

    Dust raised by cows and calves creates a kind of darkness on the road. It signals that Kṛṣṇa is returning home from the pasture.

  2. 2

    The darkness of evening provokes the gopīs to meet Kṛṣṇa. Their pastimes with Him are covered by transcendental darkness, beyond the sight of ordinary scholars of the Vedas.

  3. 3

    In Lalita-mādhava, Paurṇamāsī speaks this verse in a conversation with Gārgī.

Key points from the purport
  • This verse from the Lalita-mādhava (1.23) is spoken by Paurṇamāsī in a conversation with Gārgī.

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:

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. harimKṛṣṇa
  2. uddiśateit indicates
  3. rajaḥ-bharaḥdust from the cows
  4. purataḥin front
  5. saṅgamayaticauses to meet
  6. amumKṛṣṇa
  7. tamaḥthe darkness
  8. vraja-vāma-dṛśāmof the damsels of Vṛndāvana
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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: “gopīs”

  • 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: “conversation”

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 this verse suggest about the limits of ordinary scholarship in seeing Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes?

Practice

Reread the verse and note the difference between the evening scene and its transcendental significance.

Live this todayPastimes Hidden by Transcendental DarknessThis 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 1.188? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 9 · 2 minAsk Caitanya CaritamrtaBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the book's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnLīlās & chapters