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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
  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 22.40Madhya 22.42

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.41

কাম লাগি’ কৃষ্ণে ভজে, পায় কৃষ্ণ-রসে ।

কাম ছাড়ি’ ‘দাস’ হৈতে হয় অভিলাষে ॥ ৪১ ॥

kāma lāgi’ kṛṣṇe bhaje, pāya kṛṣṇa-rase

kāma chāḍi’ ‘dāsa’ haite haya abhilāṣe

Translation

“When someone engages in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s devotional service for the satisfaction of the senses and instead acquires a taste for serving Kṛṣṇa, he gives up his material desires and willingly offers himself as an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa.

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.

A Taste for Service Transforms Desire

  1. 1

    Someone may begin devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa with the aim of satisfying the senses.

  2. 2

    Instead, that person acquires a taste for serving Kṛṣṇa and gives up material desires.

  3. 3

    The person then willingly offers himself as Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servant.

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. kāma lāgi’for fulfillment of one’s material desires
  2. kṛṣṇe bhajeone engages in the transcendental service of Lord Kṛṣṇa
  3. pāyahe gets
  4. kṛṣṇa-rasea taste of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa
  5. kāma chāḍi’giving up all desires for material enjoyment
  6. dāsa haiteto be an eternal servant of the Lord
  7. hayathere is
  8. abhilāṣeaspiration
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”, “servant”, “serving”

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

Am I beginning to value serving Kṛṣṇa more than the rewards I once wanted?

Practice

Offer one small service today with the intention, “I want to serve Kṛṣṇa, not merely satisfy my senses.”

Live this todayA Taste for Service Transforms DesireThis 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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