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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 22.81Madhya 22.83

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.82

মহৎসেবাং দ্বারমাহুর্বিমুক্তে-

স্তমোদ্বারং যোষিতাং সঙ্গিসঙ্গম্‌ ।

মহান্তস্তে সমচিত্তাঃ প্রশান্তা

বিমন্যবঃ সুহৃদঃ সাধবো যে ॥ ৮২ ॥

mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimuktes

tamo-dvāraṁ yoṣitāṁ saṅgi-saṅgam

mahāntas te sama-cittāḥ praśāntā

vimanyavaḥ suhṛdaḥ sādhavo ye

Translation

“ ‘It is the verdict of all śāstras and great personalities that service to a pure devotee is the path of liberation. By contrast, association with materialistic people who are attached to material enjoyment and women is the path of darkness. Those who are actually devotees are broadminded, equal to everyone and very peaceful. They never become angry, and they are friendly to all living entities.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serving Pure Devotees Leads Toward Liberation

  1. 1

    All śāstras and great personalities declare that service to a pure devotee is the path of liberation.

  2. 2

    By contrast, association with materialistic people attached to material enjoyment and women is described as the path of darkness.

  3. 3

    Actual devotees are broadminded, equal to everyone and very peaceful. They never become angry and are friendly to all living entities.

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 has firm faith in the words of a great soul, pure devotional service will awaken. In this chapter Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu differentiates between a pure devotee and others.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. mahat-sevāmthe service of the pure devotee spiritual master
  2. dvāramdoor
  3. āhuḥthey said
  4. vimukteḥof liberation
  5. tamaḥ-dvāramthe door to darkness
  6. yoṣitāmof women and money
  7. saṅgi-saṅgamassociation with those who enjoy the association
  8. mahāntaḥgreat souls
3

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”, “pure devotee”

  • 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”

  • Audārya · Love that moves outward

    The freely offered gift of bhakti and prema, especially through nāma-saṅkīrtana and Mahāprabhu’s compassionate dealings. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “to everyone”

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 do the people you associate with influence your desire to serve rather than seek material enjoyment?

Practice

Identify one small service you can offer to a pure devotee, and take a step toward offering it today.

Live this todayServing Pure Devotees Leads Toward 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.

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