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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

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 22.55

তুলয়াম লবেনাপি ন স্বর্গং নাপুনর্ভবম্‌ ।

ভগবৎসঙ্গিসঙ্গস্য মর্ত্যানাং কিমুতাশিষঃ ॥ ৫৫ ॥

tulayāma lavenāpi

na svargaṁ nāpunar-bhavam

bhagavat-saṅgi-saṅgasya

martyānāṁ kim utāśiṣaḥ

Translation

“ ‘The value of a moment’s association with a devotee of the Lord cannot be compared even to the attainment of the heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which is for those who are meant for death.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotee Association Surpasses Heaven and Liberation

  1. 1

    The sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, headed by Śaunaka Ṛṣi, praised association with a devotee of the Lord.

  2. 2

    Even less than a second of this association is beyond comparison to a thousand Vedic rituals and sacrifices, heavenly elevation, or merging into the existence of the Supreme.

  3. 3

    Material prosperity is still less comparable to this association, since such worldly benedictions are for those who are meant for death.

Key points from the purport
  • This verse concerns the Vedic rites and sacrifices performed by the great sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, headed by Śaunaka Ṛṣi.
  • The sages pointed out that association with a devotee for even less than a second is beyond comparison to a thousand Vedic rituals and sacrifices, elevation to heavenly planets or merging into the existence of the Supreme.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of CC Madhya 22.55 quotesSB 1.18.13

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.18.13).

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
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Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. tulayāmawe make equal
  2. lavenawith one instant
  3. apieven
  4. nanot
  5. svargamheavenly planets
  6. nanor
  7. apunaḥ-bhavammerging into the existence of the Supreme
  8. bhagavat-saṅgi-saṅgasyaof the association of devotees who are always associated with the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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: “association”

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

What do my priorities show about the value I place on association with devotees?

Practice

Make time today to hear a devotee rather than spend that time pursuing a material gain.

Live this todayDevotee Association Surpasses Heaven and LiberationThis 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 22.55? Get an answer from the verses themselves.