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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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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 ›
Madhya-līlā · Chapter 10: The Lord’s Return to Jagannātha Purī
Madhya 10.177Madhya 10.179

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 10.178

অদ্বৈতবীথীপথিকৈরুপাস্যাঃ, স্বানন্দসিংহাসন-লব্ধদীক্ষাঃ ।

শঠেন কেনাপি বয়ং হঠেন, দাসীকৃতা গোপবধূবিটেন ॥ ১৭৮ ॥

advaita-vīthī-pathikair upāsyāḥ

svānanda-siṁhāsana-labdha-dīkṣāḥ

śaṭhena kenāpi vayaṁ haṭhena

dāsī-kṛtā gopa-vadhū-viṭena

Translation

Brahmānanda Bhāratī concluded, “ ‘Although I was worshiped by those on the path of monism and initiated into self-realization through the yoga system, I have nonetheless been forcibly turned into a maidservant by some cunning boy who is always joking with the gopīs.’”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

From Monism to Personal Service

  1. 1

    Brahmānanda Bhāratī quotes a verse written by Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura and quoted in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu.

  2. 2

    The verse describes someone honored by followers of monism and initiated into self-realization through yoga.

  3. 3

    Despite that standing, he describes himself as forcibly turned into a maidservant by a cunning boy who is always joking with the gopīs.

Key points from the purport
  • This is a verse written by Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura.

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

Relief and affectionate reunion. Devotees gather as the Lord returns; separation is temporarily relieved.

The mood of Madhya 10 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 10: The Lord’s Return to Jagannātha Purī

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

Due to his relationship with Keśava Bhāratī, Brahmānanda Bhāratī was also respectfully received by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When he arrived at Jagannātha Purī, he was advised to give up the deerskin clothing he wore.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 10
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. advaita-vīthīof the path of monism
  2. pathikaiḥby the wanderers
  3. upāsyāḥworshipable
  4. sva-ānandaof self-realization
  5. siṁha-āsanaon the throne
  6. labdha-dīkṣāḥbeing initiated
  7. śaṭhenaby a cheater
  8. kena-apisome
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Vraja-smaraṇa · Remembrance of Vṛndāvana

    The remembered sweetness of Vraja that colors Mahāprabhu’s pilgrimage, Ratha-yātrā, and later states of separation. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “gopīs”

  • Kīrtana community · A movement of shared hearts

    Devotional community as a living network of branches, service, festivals, care, and collective chanting. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “followers”

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

What change in outlook is expressed by moving from being worshiped to becoming a maidservant?

Practice

Read the quotation slowly, pausing at the contrast between being worshiped and becoming a servant.

Live this todayFrom Monism to Personal ServiceThis 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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