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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

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 ›

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Antya 3.59

নামের অক্ষর-সবের এই ত’ স্বভাব ।

ব্যবহিত হৈলে না ছাড়ে আপন-প্রভাব ॥ ৫৯ ॥

nāmera akṣara-sabera ei ta’ svabhāva

vyavahita haile nā chāḍe āpana-prabhāva

Translation

“The letters of the holy name have so much spiritual potency that they act even when uttered improperly.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere chanting reveals the name’s spiritual potency

  1. 1

    The holy name is identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When someone eager for devotional service utters it offenselessly, even partially or improperly, it exhibits its spiritual potency.

  2. 2

    Negligent utterance for sense gratification is not a vibration of transcendental sound. Chanting while engaging in sense gratification impedes the attainment of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Offenseless utterance relieves one of unwanted practices and gradually awakens dormant love for Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura states that the word vyavahita (“improperly uttered”) is not used here to refer to the mundane vibration of the letters of the alphabet.
  • Utterance of the holy name while one engages in sense gratification is an impediment on the path toward achieving ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.
  • On the other hand, if one who is eager for devotional service utters the holy name even partially or improperly, the holy name, which is identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exhibits its spiritual potency because of that person’s offenseless utterance.

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

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:

He also especially requested Dāmodara Paṇḍita to remind His mother that He was sometimes going to her home to accept the food she offered. Thus, following the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Dāmodara Paṇḍita went to Navadvīpa, taking with him all kinds of prasādam from Lord Jagannātha.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Antya 3
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Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. nāmeraof the holy name
  2. akṣaraletters
  3. saberaof all
  4. eithis
  5. ta’certainly
  6. svabhāvathe characteristic
  7. vyavahita haileeven when improperly uttered
  8. nādo not
  9. chāḍegive up
  10. āpana-prabhāvatheir own spiritual influence
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Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Nāma-saṅkīrtana · The holy name shared together

    Chanting the holy names as the yuga-dharma, the Lord’s public movement, and the opening prayer of Śikṣāṣṭaka. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “holy name”, “chanting”

  • Prema · Love of Godhead

    The culminating devotional purpose that unites the narration: bestowed, cultivated, taught, celebrated, and tasted. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “love for krsna”, “ecstatic love”

  • 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.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is your chanting guided more by eagerness to serve Kṛṣṇa or by a desire for personal enjoyment?

Practice

Set aside one quiet minute to chant the holy name with the intention of serving Kṛṣṇa rather than seeking material enjoyment.

Live this todaySincere chanting reveals the name’s spiritual potencyThis 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 3.59? Get an answer from the verses themselves.