1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by līlā and chapter

Madhya-līlā · 25 chapters

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 ›

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.37

অন্যকামী যদি করে কৃষ্ণের ভজন ।

না মাগিতেহ কৃষ্ণ তারে দেন স্ব-চরণ ॥ ৩৭ ॥

anya-kāmī yadi kare kṛṣṇera bhajana

nā māgiteha kṛṣṇa tāre dena sva-caraṇa

Translation

“If those who desire material enjoyment or merging into the existence of the Absolute Truth engage in the Lord’s transcendental loving service, they will immediately attain shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, although they did not ask for it. Kṛṣṇa is therefore very merciful.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Gives Shelter Beyond Our Requests

  1. 1

    Even those who desire material enjoyment or merging into the Absolute Truth can engage in the Lord’s transcendental loving service.

  2. 2

    Through that service, they immediately attain shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, although they did not ask for it.

  3. 3

    This gift of unasked-for shelter shows that Kṛṣṇa is very merciful.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.19.27

This is explained in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.37-39, 41) as follows.

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:

One has to fully surrender unto the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and give up attraction for women and nondevotees. The six symptoms of fully surrendered souls are also described in this chapter.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. anya-kāmīone who desires many other things
  2. yadiif
  3. karehe performs
  4. kṛṣṇera bhajanadevotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa
  5. nā māgitehaalthough not asking
  6. kṛṣṇaLord Kṛṣṇa
  7. tāreto him
  8. denagives
  9. sva-caraṇathe shelter of His lotus feet
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

    Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “shelter”, “lotus feet”

  • 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”

  • Kṛpā & transformation · Mercy changes a life

    Transformative encounters with grace, from scholars and travelers to renunciants and householders. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “merciful”

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

How does Kṛṣṇa’s mercy encourage me to serve despite my mixed desires?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer of gratitude for Kṛṣṇa’s merciful shelter.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Gives Shelter Beyond Our RequestsThis 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.

Ask Caitanya CaritamrtaHave a question about CC Madhya 22.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.