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Study a Verse

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 22: The Process of Devotional Service
Madhya 22.19Madhya 22.21

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.20

তপস্বিনো দানপরা যশস্বিনো

মনস্বিনো মন্ত্রবিদঃ সুমঙ্গলাঃ ।

ক্ষেমং ন বিন্দন্তি বিনা যদর্পণং

তস্মৈ সুভদ্রশ্রবসে নমো নমঃ ॥ ২০ ॥

tapasvino dāna-parā yaśasvino

manasvino mantra-vidaḥ su-maṅgalāḥ

kṣemaṁ na vindanti vinā yad-arpaṇaṁ

tasmai subhadra-śravase namo namaḥ

Translation

“ ‘Those who perform severe austerities and penances, those who give away all their possessions out of charity, those who are very famous for their auspicious activity, those who are engaged in meditation and mental speculation, and even those who are very expert in reciting the Vedic mantras are not able to obtain any auspicious results, although they are engaged in auspicious activities, if they do not dedicate their activities to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I therefore repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose glories are always auspicious.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Dedicate Auspicious Activities to the Lord

  1. 1

    Severe austerities, charity and fame for auspicious activity cannot bring auspicious results unless dedicated to the Lord’s service.

  2. 2

    Meditation, mental speculation and expertise in reciting Vedic mantras also require dedication to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The prayer repeatedly offers respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose glories are always auspicious.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of CC Madhya 22.20 quotesSB 2.4.17

This is also a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.4.17).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

He then describes the uselessness of mental speculation and mystic yoga. In all circumstances the living entity is recommended to accept the path of devotional service as personally explained by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. tapasvinaḥthose engaged in severe austerities and penances
  2. dāna-parāḥthose engaged in giving their possessions as charity
  3. yaśasvinaḥthose famous in society
  4. manasvinaḥexperts in mental speculation or meditation
  5. mantra-vidaḥexperts in reciting the Vedic hymns
  6. su-maṅgalāḥvery auspicious
  7. kṣemamreal, eternal auspiciousness
  8. nanever
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”

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 consciously dedicate my good activities to the Lord’s service?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead today, remembering His auspicious glories.

Live this todayDedicate Auspicious Activities to the LordThis 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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