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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 20: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Instructs Sanātana Gosvāmī in the Science of the Absolute Truth
Madhya 20.188Madhya 20.190

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 20.189

আদি-চতুর্ব্যূহ — ইঁহার কেহ নাহি সম ।

অনন্ত চতুর্ব্যূহগণের প্রাকট্য-কারণ ॥ ১৮৯ ॥

ādi-catur-vyūha — iṅhāra keha nāhi sama

ananta catur-vyūha-gaṇera prākaṭya-kāraṇa

Translation

“The first expansion of the caturvyūha, quadruple forms, is unique. There is nothing to compare with Them. These quadruple forms are the source of unlimited quadruple forms.

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.

Unique Source of Unlimited Quadruple Forms

  1. 1

    Caturvyūha means quadruple forms.

  2. 2

    The first expansion of these quadruple forms is unique. There is nothing to compare with Them.

  3. 3

    These quadruple forms are the source of unlimited quadruple forms.

How it feels

Humility and restored identity. A seeker relinquishes status, asks fundamental questions, and receives sambandha knowledge.

The mood of Madhya 20 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 20: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Instructs Sanātana Gosvāmī in the Science of the Absolute Truth

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

First they discussed the constitutional position of the living entities, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained to Sanātana Gosvāmī how the living entity is one of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s energies. After this, the Lord explained the way of devotional service.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 20
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. ādi-catur-vyūhathe original quadruple group
  2. iṅhāraof this
  3. keha nāhino one
  4. samaequal
  5. anantaunlimited
  6. catur-vyūha-gaṇeraof the quadruple expansions
  7. prākaṭyaof manifestation
  8. kāraṇathe cause
3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to you about these forms being both incomparable and the source of unlimited quadruple forms?

Practice

Write one sentence describing the first caturvyūha as unique and the source of unlimited quadruple forms.

4

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayUnique Source of Unlimited Quadruple FormsThis 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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