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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 20: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Instructs Sanātana Gosvāmī in the Science of the Absolute Truth
Madhya 20.60Madhya 20.62

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 20.61

অক্ষ্ণোঃ ফলং ত্বাদৃশ-দর্শনং হি

তনোঃ ফলং ত্বাদৃশ-গাত্রসঙ্গঃ ।

জিহ্বা-ফলং ত্বাদৃশ-কীর্তনং হি

সুদুর্লভা ভাগবতা হি লোকে ॥” ৬১ ॥

akṣṇoḥ phalaṁ tvādṛśa-darśanaṁ hi

tanoḥ phalaṁ tvādṛśa-gātra-saṅgaḥ

jihvā-phalaṁ tvādṛśa-kīrtanaṁ hi

su-durlabhā bhāgavatā hi loke

Translation

“ ‘My dear Vaiṣṇava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one’s eyesight, touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of touch, and glorifying your good qualities is the tongue’s real activity, for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of the Lord.’”

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.

Honor the Rare Pure Devotee

  1. 1

    Seeing a pure Vaiṣṇava is the perfection of one’s eyesight.

  2. 2

    Touching such a devotee’s lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of touch.

  3. 3

    Glorifying the devotee’s good qualities is the tongue’s real activity. A pure devotee of the Lord is very difficult to find in the material world.

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:

He then crossed the Ganges and fled. One of his servants, Īśāna, followed him, carrying eight gold coins.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 20
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. akṣṇoḥof the eyes
  2. phalamthe perfect result of the action
  3. tvādṛśaa person like you
  4. darśanamto see
  5. hicertainly
  6. tanoḥof the body
  7. phalamthe perfection of activities
  8. tvādṛśaof a person like you
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”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

    Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “lotus feet”

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 recognize the value of seeing and honoring a pure devotee?

Practice

Spend a moment today speaking appreciatively about a pure devotee’s good qualities.

Live this todayHonor the Rare Pure DevoteeThis 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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