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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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Madhya-līlā · 25 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 Madhya 1.197

ম্লেচ্ছজাতি, ম্লেচ্ছসেবী, করি ম্লেচ্ছকর্ম ।

গো-ব্রাহ্মণ-দ্রোহি-সঙ্গে আমার সঙ্গম ॥ ১৯৭ ॥

mleccha-jāti, mleccha-sevī, kari mleccha-karma

go-brāhmaṇa-drohi-saṅge āmāra saṅgama

Translation

“Actually we belong to the caste of meat-eaters because we are servants of meat-eaters. Indeed, our activities are exactly like those of the meat-eaters. Because we always associate with such people, we are inimical toward the cows and brāhmaṇas.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Association and Conduct Shape Our Character

  1. 1

    One may be born in a family of meat-eaters or acquire that character through association. Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs acknowledged the influence of their service and association.

  2. 2

    The first principle of Vedic civilization is avoidance of meat-eating and intoxication. Birth in a brāhmaṇa family does not excuse conduct opposed to these principles.

  3. 3

    A king or president must represent the Supreme Personality of Godhead and rule according to religious principles. Leaders become sinful by sanctioning activities contrary to the śāstras.

Key points from the purport
  • At the present moment in India the presidential offices are occupied by many so-called brāhmaṇas, but the state maintains slaughterhouses for killing cows and makes propaganda against Vedic civilization.
  • Presently in India, intoxication and meat-eating are encouraged, and the so-called learned brāhmaṇas presiding over this state of affairs have certainly become degraded according to the standard given herein by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī.
  • Sanātana and Rūpa Gosvāmīs pleaded guilty to such activities; they therefore classified themselves among the mlecchas, although they had been born in a brāhmaṇa family.

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

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

Further reading

Madhya 1: The Later Pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

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
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Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. mleccha-jātibelonging to the meat-eater caste
  2. mleccha-sevīservants of the meat-eaters
  3. kariwe execute
  4. mleccha-karmathe work of meat-eaters
  5. gocows
  6. brāhmaṇabrāhmaṇas
  7. drohithose inimical to
  8. saṅgewith
  9. āmāraour
  10. saṅgamaassociation
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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: “associate”, “association”

  • 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: “servants”, “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

How do my associations influence the activities I accept or support?

Practice

Choose one meal today that avoids meat-eating.

Live this todayAssociation and Conduct Shape Our CharacterThis 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 Madhya 1.197? Get an answer from the verses themselves.