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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 22.35Madhya 22.37

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.36

অকামঃ সর্বকামো বা মোক্ষকাম উদারধীঃ ।

তীব্রেণ ভক্তিযোগেন যজেত পুরুষং পরম্‌ ॥ ৩৬ ॥

akāmaḥ sarva-kāmo vā

mokṣa-kāma udāra-dhīḥ

tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena

yajeta puruṣaṁ param

Translation

“ ‘Whether one desires everything or nothing, or whether he desires to merge into the existence of the Lord, he is intelligent only if he worships Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by rendering transcendental loving service.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship Kṛṣṇa Whatever Your Desires

  1. 1

    A person may desire everything, desire nothing or desire to merge into the Lord’s existence.

  2. 2

    Whatever one’s desires, true intelligence means worshiping Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    That worship takes the form of transcendental loving service.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of CC Madhya 22.36 quotesSB 2.3.10

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.3.10).

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:

If one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness fully, even though he may sometimes be agitated due to having previously practiced mental speculation and yogic mysticism, he will be saved by Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. The fact is that devotional service is bestowed by the blessings of a pure devotee ( sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ ) .
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. akāmaḥa pure devotee with no desire for material enjoyment
  2. sarva-kāmaḥone who has no end to his desires for material enjoyment
  3. vāor
  4. mokṣa-kāmaḥone who desires to merge into the existence of Brahman
  5. udāra-dhīḥbeing very intelligent
  6. tīvreṇafirm
  7. bhakti-yogenaby devotional service
  8. yajetashould worship
  9. puruṣamthe person
  10. paramsupreme
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

Whatever desires I have now, how can I turn toward loving service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Offer one small act of service to Kṛṣṇa today with attention to serving lovingly.

Live this todayWorship Kṛṣṇa Whatever Your DesiresThis 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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