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

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
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 20.279-280Madhya 20.282

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 20.281

যস্যৈক-নিশ্বসিতকালমথাবলম্ব্য

জীবন্তি লোমবিলজা জগদণ্ডনাথাঃ ।

বিষ্ণুর্মহান্ স ইহ যস্য কলাবিশেষো

গোবিন্দমাদিপুরুষং তমহং ভজামি ॥ ২৮১ ॥

yasyaika-niśvasita-kālam athāvalambya

jīvanti loma-vila-jā jagad-aṇḍa-nāthāḥ

viṣṇur mahān sa iha yasya kalā-viśeṣo

govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Translation

“ ‘The Brahmās and other lords of the mundane worlds appear from the pores of Mahā-Viṣṇu and remain alive for the duration of His one exhalation. I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda, of whom Mahā-Viṣṇu is a portion of a plenary portion.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Govinda Is the Lord Adored

  1. 1

    This quotation from the Brahma-saṁhitā describes the Brahmās and other lords of the mundane worlds appearing from Mahā-Viṣṇu’s pores.

  2. 2

    These lords remain alive for the duration of one exhalation of Mahā-Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    The verse adores the primeval Lord, Govinda. Mahā-Viṣṇu is a portion of a plenary portion of Him.

Key points from the purport
  • For an explanation, refer to Ādi-līlā, chapter five, verse 71.

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

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:

At this time Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very pleased with him, and thus Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī received knowledge of the Absolute Truth from the Lord Himself. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 20
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. yasyawhose
  2. ekaone
  3. niśvasitaof breath
  4. kālamtime
  5. athathus
  6. avalambyataking shelter of
  7. jīvantilive
  8. loma-vila-jāḥgrown from the hair holes
3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description of Mahā-Viṣṇu deepen your appreciation of Govinda?

Practice

Read aloud the words, “I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda,” and pause to consider their meaning.

4

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

2 lectures given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayGovinda Is the Lord AdoredThis 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 20.281? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 9 · 2 minAsk Caitanya CaritamrtaBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the book's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnLīlās & chapters