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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

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 22.120 Madhya 22.122

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.121

শ্রবণ, কীর্তন স্মরণ, পূজন, বন্দন ।

পরিচর্যা, দাস্য, সখ্য, আত্মনিবেদন ॥ ১২১ ॥

śravaṇa, kīrtana, smaraṇa, pūjana, vandana

paricaryā, dāsya, sakhya, ātma-nivedana

Translation

“After one is established in devotional service, the positive actions are (1) hearing, (2) chanting, (3) remembering, (4) worshiping, (5) praying, (6) serving, (7) accepting servitorship, (8) becoming a friend and (9) surrendering fully.

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.

Nine Positive Actions of Devotional Service

1
After one is established in devotional service, positive actions include hearing, chanting, and remembering.
2
Worshiping, praying, and serving are also positive devotional actions.
3
Accepting servitorship, becoming a friend, and surrendering fully complete these nine actions.

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:

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 summary Back to this verse in Madhya 22

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

śravaṇahearing
kīrtanachanting
smaraṇaremembering
pūjanaworshiping
vandanapraying
paricaryāserving
dāsyaaccepting servitorship
sakhyafriendship
ātma-nivedanasurrendering fully

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”, “serving”
Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter
Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “surrendering”
Nāma-saṅkīrtana · The holy name shared together
Chanting the holy names as the yuga-dharma, the Lord’s public movement, and the opening prayer of Śikṣāṣṭaka. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “chanting”

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

Which of these devotional actions can I give more attention to today?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today for devotional prayer.

Live this todayHearingA 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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