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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 20.57Madhya 20.59

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 20.58

ন মেঽভক্তশ্চতুর্বেদী মদ্ভক্তঃ শ্বপচঃ প্রিয়ঃ ।

তস্মৈ দেয়ং ততো গ্রাহ্যং স চ পূজ্যো যথা হ্যহম্‌ ॥ ৫৮ ॥

na me ’bhaktaś catur-vedī

mad-bhaktaḥ śva-pacaḥ priyaḥ

tasmai deyaṁ tato grāhyaṁ

sa ca pūjyo yathā hy aham

Translation

“[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] ‘Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. Indeed, all respects should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Devotion Makes One Dear to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Even great learning in the Sanskrit Vedic literatures does not make someone Kṛṣṇa’s devotee without pure devotional service.

  2. 2

    A pure devotee is very dear to Kṛṣṇa regardless of birth. Such a devotee has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation.

  3. 3

    All respects should be given to pure devotees, and their offerings should be accepted. Kṛṣṇa says they are as worshipable as He is.

Key points from the purport
  • This verse is included in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (10.127), compiled by Sanātana Gosvāmī.

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:

The following summary of this chapter is given by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya. When Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī was imprisoned by Nawab Hussain Shah, he received news from Rūpa Gosvāmī that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had gone to Mathurā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 20
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. meMy
  3. abhaktaḥdevoid of pure devotional service
  4. catuḥ-vedīa scholar in the four Vedas
  5. mat-bhaktaḥMy devotee
  6. śva-pacaḥeven from a family of dog-eaters
  7. priyaḥvery dear
  8. tasmaito him (a pure devotee, even though born in a very low family)
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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: “pure devotee”

  • 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: “service”

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

Do I value pure devotion more than learning or family background?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and set aside the desire for personal gain.

Live this todayPure Devotion Makes One Dear to 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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