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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 21: The Opulence and Sweetness of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
Madhya 21.32Madhya 21.34

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 21.33

স্বয়ন্ত্বসাম্যাতিশয়স্ত্র্যধীশঃ স্বারাজ্যলক্ষ্ম্যাপ্তসমস্তকামঃ ।

বলিং হরদ্ভিশ্চিরলোকপালৈঃ কিরীটকোটীড়িতপাদপীঠঃ ॥ ৩৩ ॥

svayaṁ tv asāmyātiśayas try-adhīśaḥ

svārājya-lakṣmy-āpta-samasta-kāmaḥ

baliṁ haradbhiś cira-loka-pālaiḥ

kirīṭa-koṭīḍita-pāda-pīṭhaḥ

Translation

“ ‘The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the master of the three worlds and the three principal demigods [Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva]. No one is equal to or greater than Him. By His spiritual potency, known as svārājya-lakṣmī, all His desires are fulfilled. While offering their dues and presents in worship, the predominating deities of all the planets touch the lotus feet of the Lord with their helmets. Thus they offer prayers to the Lord.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is Master of the Three Worlds

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is the master of the three worlds and of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva. No one is equal to or greater than Him.

  2. 2

    His spiritual potency, known as svārājya-lakṣmī, fulfills all His desires.

  3. 3

    The predominating deities of all the planets offer Him dues, presents and prayers. In worship, they touch His lotus feet with their helmets.

Key points from the purport
  • This quotation is verse 21 of the second chapter, Third Canto, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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

Awe becoming attraction. The Lord’s vast opulence is placed beside the intimate sweetness of Kṛṣṇa.

The mood of Madhya 21 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 21: The Opulence and Sweetness of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa

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

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then describes Lord Brahmā’s interview with Kṛṣṇa at Dvārakā and the Lord’s curbing the pride of Brahmā. There is also a description of one of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with Brahmā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 21
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. svayampersonally the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. tubut
  3. asāmya-atiśayaḥwho has no equal or superior
  4. tri-adhīśaḥthe master of three places, namely Goloka Vṛndāvana, Vaikuṇṭhaloka and the material world, or the master of Mahā-Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, or the master of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, or the master of the three worlds (the higher, lower and middle planetary systems)
  5. svārājya-lakṣmīby His personal spiritual potency
  6. āptaalready achieved
  7. samasta-kāmaḥall desirable objects
  8. balima presentation or taxation
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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

What does the deities’ worship teach me about approaching Kṛṣṇa with respect?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa today, acknowledging Him as the master of the three worlds.

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 todayKṛṣṇa Is Master of the Three WorldsThis 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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