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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 5.161

প্রস্তাবে কহিলুঁ কবির নাটক-বিবরণ ।

অজ্ঞ হঞা শ্রদ্ধায় পাইল প্রভুর চরণ ॥ ১৬১ ॥

prastāve kahiluṅ kavira nāṭaka-vivaraṇa

ajña hañā śraddhāya pāila prabhura caraṇa

Translation

In the course of the narration, I have also told about the drama by the poet from Bengal. Although he was ignorant, because of his faith and humility he nevertheless obtained shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

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.

Faith and Humility Lead to Shelter

  1. 1

    The narration also includes the drama written by the poet from Bengal.

  2. 2

    Although the poet was ignorant, he had faith and humility. His ignorance did not prevent him from receiving shelter.

  3. 3

    Because of his faith and humility, he obtained shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

How it feels

Humility and discernment. The Lord directs a seeker to Rāmānanda and clarifies genuine spiritual qualification.

The mood of Antya 5 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Antya 5: How Pradyumna Miśra Received Instructions from Rāmānanda Rāya

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

Although Svarūpa Dāmodara condemned the entire drama, by reference to secondary meanings of the introductory verse he nevertheless satisfied the brāhmaṇa. That brāhmaṇa poet thus became greatly obliged to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, renounced his family connections and stayed at Jagannātha Purī with the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Antya 5
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. prastāveby the way
  2. kahiluṅI have explained
  3. kaviraof the poet
  4. nāṭaka-vivaraṇadescription of the drama
  5. ajña hañāalthough being ignorant
  6. śraddhāyawith faith and love
  7. pāilagot
  8. prabhura caraṇashelter at the lotus feet Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
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Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

    Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “shelter”, “lotus feet”

  • Dainya & humility · Making room for grace

    The humility expressed by the author, devotees, transformed scholars, renunciants, and the Śikṣāṣṭaka. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “humility”

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 can you approach what you do not yet understand with faith and humility?

Practice

Before studying today, offer a brief prayer for shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Live this todayFaith and Humility Lead to ShelterThis 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 5.161? Get an answer from the verses themselves.