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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

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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 19: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Instructs Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī
Madhya 19.171Madhya 19.173

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 19.172

লক্ষণং ভক্তিযোগস্য নির্গুণস্য হ্যুদাহৃতম্ ।

অহৈতুক্যব্যবহিতা যা ভক্তিঃ পুরুষোত্তমে ॥ ১৭২ ॥

lakṣaṇaṁ bhakti-yogasya

nirguṇasya hy udāhṛtam

ahaituky avyavahitā

yā bhaktiḥ puruṣottame

Translation

“ ‘These are the characteristics of transcendental loving service to Puruṣottama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: it is causeless, and it cannot be obstructed in any way.

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.

Loving Service Is Causeless and Unobstructed

  1. 1

    Transcendental loving service is directed to Puruṣottama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    This loving service is causeless.

  3. 3

    It cannot be obstructed in any way.

How it feels

Empowerment and hope. The seed of bhakti is received, planted, and watered; intimate realization becomes transmissible.

The mood of Madhya 19 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 19: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Instructs Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī

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

During this time, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa extended an invitation to the Lord with great respect. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu introduced Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī to Vallabha Bhaṭṭa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 19
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. lakṣaṇamthe symptom
  2. bhakti-yogasyaof devotional service
  3. nirguṇasyabeyond the three modes of nature
  4. hicertainly
  5. udāhṛtamis cited
  6. ahaitukīcauseless
  7. avyavahitāuninterrupted
  8. yāwhich
  9. bhaktiḥdevotional service
  10. puruṣa-uttameto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What conditions do I place on my willingness to serve the Lord?

Practice

Perform one small act of service today without making it depend on receiving something in return.

Live this todayLoving Service Is Causeless and UnobstructedThis 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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