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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Say the verse. Read the transliteration aloud, slowly.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each word and its meaning.
3Read the translation. Ask: what is happening here, and who is it about?
4Read the purport slowly. Read it twice. Don't rush.
5See Lord Caitanya as Kṛṣṇa. Remember who is acting in the pastime.
6Take one thing into your day. Note one point and one practice.

Read the full guide: how to read Caitanya Caritamrta ›

Madhya-līlā · Chapter 22: The Process of Devotional Service

Madhya 21.149 Madhya 22.2

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.1

বন্দে শ্রীকৃষ্ণচৈতন্যদেবং তং করুণার্ণবম্‌ ।

কলাবপ্যতিগূঢ়েয়ং ভক্তির্যেন প্রকাশিতা ॥ ১ ॥

vande śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-

devaṁ taṁ karuṇārṇavam

kalāv apy ati-gūḍheyaṁ

bhaktir yena prakāśitā

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He is an ocean of transcendental mercy, and although the subject matter of bhakti-yoga is very confidential, He has nonetheless manifested it so nicely, even in this Age of Kali, the age of quarrel.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy Reveals Confidential Devotional Service

1
Respectful obeisances are offered to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, an ocean of transcendental mercy.
2
The subject matter of bhakti-yoga is very confidential, yet He has manifested it so nicely.
3
He has revealed this teaching even in the Age of Kali, the age of quarrel.

How it feels

Trust and resolution. Devotional practice and association offer a steady path for awakening love.

The mood of Madhya 22 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Madhya 22: The Process of Devotional Service

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

In the twenty-second chapter, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu describes the process of devotional service. In the beginning He describes the truth about the living entity and the superexcellence of devotional service.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in Madhya 22

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

vandeI offer my respectful obeisances
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-devamunto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
tamunto Him
karuṇā-arṇavamwho is an ocean of mercy
kalauin this Age of Kali
apieven
ativery
gūḍhāconfidential

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: “offered”

Concept links are an editorial study map; only the verse is the text itself.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy encourage you to learn about bhakti-yoga?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, thanking Him for revealing bhakti-yoga.

Live this todayMercy Reveals Confidential Devotional ServiceThis 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 22.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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