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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 22.144Madhya 22.146

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.145

জ্ঞান-বৈরাগ্যাদি — ভক্তির কভু নহে ‘অঙ্গ’ ।

অহিংসাযম-নিয়মাদি বুলে কৃষ্ণভক্ত-সঙ্গ ॥ ১৪৫ ॥

jñāna-vairāgyādi — bhaktira kabhu nahe ‘aṅga’

ahiṁsā-yama-niyamādi bule kṛṣṇa-bhakta-saṅga

Translation

“The path of speculative knowledge and renunciation is not essential for devotional service. Indeed, good qualities such as nonviolence and control of the mind and senses automatically accompany a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Does Not Depend on Speculation

  1. 1

    A beginner may think speculative knowledge, austerity, penances and renunciation are the only path to advancement. They are not necessary for a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    These processes may help a little in the material world, but they are not the eternal loving service of the Lord. Simply engaging in devotional service, abandoning speculative knowledge, brings perfection.

  3. 3

    Good qualities such as nonviolence and control of the mind and senses automatically accompany a devotee. The devotee has no need for separate pursuits of speculative knowledge, pious activity or mystic yoga.

Key points from the purport
  • Sometimes a neophyte devotee or ordinary person thinks highly of speculative knowledge, austerity, penances and renunciation, thinking them the only path for advancement in devotional service.
  • The path of knowledge, mystic yoga and renunciation has nothing to do with the pure soul.
  • If one abandons speculative knowledge and simply engages in devotional service, he has attained his perfection.

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

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:

If one engages in devotional service, all good qualities follow. One does not have to cultivate them separately.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. jñānathe path of knowledge
  2. vairāgya-ādithe path of renunciation and so on
  3. bhaktiraof devotional service
  4. kabhuat any time
  5. nahenot
  6. aṅgaa part
  7. ahiṁsānonviolence
  8. yamacontrolling the senses and the mind
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”

  • 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”

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 think devotional service must depend on some separate achievement in knowledge or renunciation?

Practice

Today, give a few undistracted minutes to loving service to Kṛṣṇa rather than postponing it until you feel more learned.

Live this todayDevotional Service Does Not Depend on SpeculationThis 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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