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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 3: The Glories of Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura
Antya 3.56Antya 3.58

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Antya 3.57

অজামিল পুত্রে বোলায় বলি ‘নারায়ণ’ ।

বিষ্ণুদূত আসি’ ছাড়ায় তাহার বন্ধন ॥ ৫৭ ॥

ajāmila putre bolāya bali ‘nārāyaṇa’

viṣṇu-dūta āsi’ chāḍāya tāhāra bandhana

Translation

“Ajāmila was a great sinner during his life, but at the time of death he accidentally called for his youngest son, whose name was Nārāyaṇa, and the attendants of Lord Viṣṇu came to relieve him from the bonds of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death.

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.

An Accidental Call Brings Divine Help

  1. 1

    Ajāmila had been a great sinner during his life. At the time of death, he called for his youngest son, Nārāyaṇa.

  2. 2

    Although he was addressing his son, he accidentally uttered the Lord’s name. In this discussion, his experience illustrates the power of such an utterance.

  3. 3

    The attendants of Lord Viṣṇu came to relieve him from the bonds of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death.

How it feels

Steadfast compassion. Haridāsa’s spiritual conviction and the reach of the holy name confront prejudice and temptation.

The mood of Antya 3 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Antya 3: The Glories of Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura

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

Hearing these words from Dāmodara Paṇḍita, the Lord sent him to Navadvīpa to supervise the affairs of His mother, Śacīdevī. He also especially requested Dāmodara Paṇḍita to remind His mother that He was sometimes going to her home to accept the food she offered.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Antya 3
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. ajāmilaAjāmila
  2. putreunto his son
  3. bolāyacalls
  4. balisaying
  5. nārāyaṇathe holy name of Nārāyaṇa
  6. viṣṇu-dūtathe attendants of Lord Viṣṇu
  7. āsi’coming
  8. chāḍāyaremove
  9. tāhāraof him
  10. bandhanathe bonds
3

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: “discussion”

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 does Ajāmila’s experience encourage me to value the Lord’s name despite my past mistakes?

Practice

Today, consciously say the name Nārāyaṇa, remembering the divine help described in this verse.

Live this todayAn Accidental Call Brings Divine HelpThis 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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