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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 22.78-80Madhya 22.82

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.81

তিতিক্ষবঃ কারুণিকাঃ সুহৃদঃ সর্বদেহিনাম্‌ ।

অজাতশত্রবঃ শান্তাঃ সাধবঃ সাধুভূষণাঃ ॥ ৮১ ॥

titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ

suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām

ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ

sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ

Translation

“ ‘Devotees are always tolerant, forbearing and very merciful. They are the well-wishers of every living entity. They follow the scriptural injunctions, and because they have no enemies, they are very peaceful. These are the decorations of devotees.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy and Tolerance Decorate Devotees

  1. 1

    Devotees are tolerant, forbearing and very merciful, and they are well-wishers of every living entity.

  2. 2

    They follow the scriptural injunctions and have no enemies, so they are very peaceful. These qualities are their decorations.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that attachment to material things causes conditioned life. Attachment to transcendental things places a person on the path of liberation.

Key points from the purport
  • When the sages, headed by Śaunaka, inquired about Kapiladeva, the incarnation of Godhead, Sūta Gosvāmī, who was the topmost devotee of the Lord, quoted talks about self-realization between Vidura and Maitreya, a friend of Vyāsadeva’s.
  • During these talks the topic of Lord Kapila had come up, and at that time Maitreya had repeated Kapiladeva’s discussions with His mother, wherein the Lord states that attachment to material things is the cause of conditioned life.
  • When a person becomes attached to transcendental things, he is on the path of liberation.

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 22.81 quotesSB 3.25.21

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21).

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 associate with pure devotees. If one has firm faith in the words of a great soul, pure devotional service will awaken.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. titikṣavaḥvery forbearing
  2. kāruṇikāḥmerciful
  3. suhṛdaḥwho are well-wishers
  4. sarva-dehināmto all living entities
  5. ajāta-śatravaḥwithout enemies
  6. śāntāḥpeaceful
  7. sādhavaḥfollowing the injunctions of the śāstra
  8. sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥwho are decorated with good character
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Dainya & humility · Making room for grace

    The humility expressed by the author, devotees, transformed scholars, renunciants, and the Śikṣāṣṭaka. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “tolerant”

  • 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

What attachment could you begin directing from material things toward transcendental things?

Practice

When a small irritation arises today, practice forbearance and respond with goodwill.

Live this todayMercy and Tolerance Decorate DevoteesThis 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 22.81? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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