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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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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 2: The Ecstatic Manifestations of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Madhya 2.86Madhya 2.88

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 2.87

যেবা নাহি বুঝে কেহ,     শুনিতে শুনিতে সেহ,

কি অদ্ভুত চৈতন্যচরিত ।

কৃষ্ণে উপজিবে প্রীতি,     জানিবে রসের রীতি,

শুনিলেই বড় হয় হিত ॥ ৮৭ ॥

yebā nāhi bujhe keha, śunite śunite seha,

ki adbhuta caitanya-carita

kṛṣṇe upajibe prīti, jānibe rasera rīti,

śunilei baḍa haya hita

Translation

If one does not understand in the beginning but continues to hear again and again the wonderful effects of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes will bring love for Kṛṣṇa. Gradually one will come to understand the loving affairs between Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs and other associates of Vṛndāvana. Everyone is advised to continue to hear over and over again in order to greatly benefit.

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.

Repeated Hearing Brings Love for Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Not understanding at first is no reason to stop hearing. Everyone is advised to hear these pastimes again and again.

  2. 2

    Continued hearing of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes brings love for Kṛṣṇa through their wonderful effects.

  3. 3

    Understanding develops gradually, including understanding the loving affairs between Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs and the other associates of Vṛndāvana.

How it feels

Overwhelming divine separation. A preview of the last years reveals the Lord’s intense separation from Kṛṣṇa.

The mood of Madhya 2 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 2: The Ecstatic Manifestations of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

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

The author expects that reading the pastimes of the Lord will gradually help a person awaken his dormant love of Kṛṣṇa. Actually this Caitanya-caritāmṛta was compiled by the author during very old age.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 2
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. yebāwhoever
  2. nāhidoes not
  3. bujheunderstand
  4. kehasomeone
  5. śunite śunitehearing and hearing
  6. sehahe
  7. kiwhat
  8. adbhutawonderful
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: “vṛndāvana”, “gopīs”

  • Prema · Love of Godhead

    The culminating devotional purpose that unites the narration: bestowed, cultivated, taught, celebrated, and tasted. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “love for krsna”

  • 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”

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

Can I continue hearing patiently even when understanding does not come immediately?

Practice

Read this translation aloud twice today, giving yourself time to hear it again.

Live this todayRepeated Hearing Brings Love for KṛṣṇaThis 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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