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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 20.349Madhya 20.351

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 20.350

রাজমন্ত্রী সনাতন — বুদ্ধ্যে বৃহস্পতি ।

প্রভুর কৃপাতে পুছে অসঙ্কোচ-মতি ॥ ৩৫০ ॥

rāja-mantrī sanātana — buddhye bṛhaspati

prabhura kṛpāte puche asaṅkoca-mati

Translation

Sanātana Gosvāmī had been a minister under Nawab Hussain Shah, and he was undoubtedly as intelligent as Bṛhaspati, the chief priest of the heavenly kingdom. Due to the Lord’s unlimited mercy, Sanātana Gosvāmī questioned Him without hesitation.

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.

The Lord’s Mercy Enables Questions

  1. 1

    Sanātana Gosvāmī had served as a minister under Nawab Hussain Shah.

  2. 2

    He was undoubtedly as intelligent as Bṛhaspati, the chief priest of the heavenly kingdom.

  3. 3

    Due to the Lord’s unlimited mercy, Sanātana Gosvāmī questioned Him without hesitation.

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:

When Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī was imprisoned by Nawab Hussain Shah, he received news from Rūpa Gosvāmī that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had gone to Mathurā. Sanātana Gosvāmī thereafter satisfied the superintendent of the jail by sweet solicitations and bribery.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 20
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. rāja-mantrī sanātanaSanātana Gosvāmī was formerly an intelligent minister for Nawab Hussain Shah
  2. buddhyein intelligence
  3. bṛhaspatiexactly like Bṛhaspati, the priest in the heavenly kingdom
  4. prabhura kṛpātebecause of the unlimited mercy of the Lord
  5. pucheinquires
  6. asaṅkoca-matiwithout hesitation
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Kṛpā & transformation · Mercy changes a life

    Transformative encounters with grace, from scholars and travelers to renunciants and householders. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • 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: “served”

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

How does Sanātana Gosvāmī’s example encourage you to ask sincere questions?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about today’s reading that you have hesitated to ask.

5

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 todayThe Lord’s Mercy Enables QuestionsThis 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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