1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by līlā and chapter

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 19.196

বসুদেব-দেবকীর কৃষ্ণ চরণ বন্দিল ।

ঐশ্বর্যজ্ঞানে দুঁহার মনে ভয় হৈল ॥ ১৯৬ ॥

vasudeva-devakīra kṛṣṇa caraṇa vandila

aiśvarya-jñāne duṅhāra mane bhaya haila

Translation

“When Kṛṣṇa offered prayers at the lotus feet of His mother and father, Vasudeva and Devakī, they both felt awe, reverence and fear due to knowledge of His opulences.

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.

Knowledge of Opulence Awakens Awe

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa offered prayers at the lotus feet of His mother and father, Vasudeva and Devakī.

  2. 2

    Both parents knew of Kṛṣṇa’s opulences.

  3. 3

    Because of that knowledge, they felt awe, reverence and fear.

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:

After this, a brāhmaṇa scholar named Raghupati Upādhyāya arrived and discussed Kṛṣṇa consciousness with the Lord. Kavirāja Gosvāmī then extensively describes the living condition of Śrī Rūpa and Sanātana at Vṛndāvana.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 19
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. vasudeva-devakīraof Vasudeva and Devakī
  2. kṛṣṇaLord Kṛṣṇa
  3. caraṇato the lotus feet
  4. vandilaoffered prayers
  5. aiśvarya-jñānebecause of knowledge of the opulence
  6. duṅhāraof both of them
  7. manein the minds
  8. bhaya hailathere was fear
3

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: “lotus feet”

  • 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: “offered”

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 stands out to you about the parents’ response to Kṛṣṇa’s prayers?

Practice

Pause over this scene and name the three feelings Vasudeva and Devakī experienced.

Live this todayKnowledge of Opulence Awakens AweThis 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 19.196? Get an answer from the verses themselves.