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Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.
Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 1.189
নীচ-জাতি, নীচ-সঙ্গী, করি নীচ কাজ ।
তোমার অগ্রেতে প্রভু কহিতে বাসি লাজ ॥ ১৮৯ ॥
nīca-jāti, nīca-saṅgī, kari nīca kāja
tomāra agrete prabhu kahite vāsi lāja
“Sir, we belong to the lowest class of men, and our associates and employment are also of the lowest type. Therefore we cannot introduce ourselves to You. We feel very much ashamed, standing here before You.
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioThree study points drawn from the translation and purport.
Rūpa and Sanātana were actually born in respectable brāhmaṇa families originally from Karṇāṭa. They presented themselves as low because their employment and association had changed their customs and behavior.
The purport describes three kinds of birth: birth from the mother, acceptance of the reformatory method, and initiation by the spiritual master.
According to the śāstras, a person’s classification is recognized by particular symptoms. The brothers identified themselves as low because the symptoms of brahminical culture were almost absent from their lives.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.
Anticipation and hidden longing. The author previews later pastimes, including the inner Vraja mood expressed at Ratha-yātrā.
The mood of Madhya 1 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas
From Śrīla Prabhupāda's chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:
Because he wrote that verse, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī was specifically blessed by the Lord. There is also a description of the many books written by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī and Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī.Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 1
Learn the words of the 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: “associates”, “association”
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: “lowest”
Concept links are an editorial study map; only the verse is the text itself.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
How are my daily work and associations shaping my conduct?
Identify one influence in your work or company that weakens your conduct, and take one small step to reduce it today.
His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.
Quoted in 2 lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.
In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.
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 Madhya 1.189? Get an answer from the verses themselves.