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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 22: The Process of Devotional Service
Madhya 22.114Madhya 22.116

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.115

গুরুপাদাশ্রয়, দীক্ষা, গুরুর সেবন ।

সদ্ধর্মশিক্ষা-পৃচ্ছা সাধুমার্গানুগমন ॥ ১১৫ ॥

guru-pādāśraya, dīkṣā, gurura sevana

sad-dharma-śikṣā-pṛcchā, sādhu-mārgānugamana

Translation

“On the path of regulative devotional service, one must observe the following items: (1) One must accept a bona fide spiritual master. (2) One must accept initiation from him. (3) One must serve him. (4) One must receive instructions from the spiritual master and make inquiries in order to learn devotional service. (5) One must follow in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas and follow the directions given by the spiritual master.

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.

Learn Devotional Service From a Spiritual Master

  1. 1

    On the path of regulative devotional service, one must accept a bona fide spiritual master and receive initiation from him.

  2. 2

    One must serve the spiritual master, receive his instructions and make inquiries to learn devotional service.

  3. 3

    One must follow in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas and follow the spiritual master’s directions.

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

Further reading

Madhya 22: The Process of Devotional Service

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

There are sixty-four items listed in regulative devotional service, and out of these sixty-four the last five are considered very important. By practicing even one of the nine processes of devotional service, one can become successful.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. guru-pāda-āśrayashelter at the feet of a bona fide spiritual master
  2. dīkṣāinitiation by the spiritual master
  3. gurura sevanaservice to the spiritual master
  4. sat-dharma-śikṣāinstruction in the transcendental process of devotional service
  5. pṛcchāand inquiry
  6. sādhu-mārgathe path of transcendental devotional service
  7. anugamanafollowing strictly
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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”, “serve”

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 sincere question would help me learn how to render devotional service?

Practice

Write one question about devotional service to ask a bona fide spiritual master.

Live this todayAccepting servitorshipA practice of bhakti taught in this verse

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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