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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 22.86Madhya 22.88-90

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.87

অসৎসঙ্গত্যাগ, — এই বৈষ্ণব-আচার ।

‘স্ত্রীসঙ্গী’ — এক অসাধু, ‘কৃষ্ণাভক্ত’ আর ॥ ৮৭ ॥

asat-saṅga-tyāga, — ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra

‘strī-saṅgī’ — eka asādhu, ‘kṛṣṇābhakta’ āra

Translation

“A Vaiṣṇava should always avoid the association of ordinary people. Common people are very much materially attached, especially to women. Vaiṣṇavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of Lord 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.

Avoid Association That Nourishes Material Attachment

  1. 1

    A Vaiṣṇava should always avoid the association of ordinary, materially attached people.

  2. 2

    The translation especially warns about their attachment to women.

  3. 3

    Vaiṣṇavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Connected verses· 3

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.5.2

In the words of Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.87): ‘strī-saṅgī’ — eka asādhu, ‘kṛṣṇābhakta’ āra

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.2.39

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has stated, asat-saṅga-tyāga — ei vaiṣṇava ācāra: a Vaiṣṇava is known by his complete avoidance of all mundane association.

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 9.53

Asat-saṅga-tyāga, — ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra. A Vaiṣṇava must be very strict in this respect and should not at all cooperate with an avaiṣṇava.

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:

A devotee’s most formidable enemy is association with women in an enjoying spirit. Association with nondevotees is also condemned because it is also a formidable enemy on the path of devotional service.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 22
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. asat-saṅga-tyāgarejection of the association of nondevotees
  2. eithis
  3. vaiṣṇava-ācārathe behavior of a Vaiṣṇava
  4. strī-saṅgīwho associates with women for sense gratification
  5. ekaone
  6. asādhuunsaintly person
  7. kṛṣṇa-abhaktaone who is not a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa
  8. āraanother
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”, “company of”

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

Which associations strengthen my material attachment rather than my devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Today, step back from one optional gathering that encourages your material attachment.

5

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

Quoted in 13 lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 13 lectures

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayAvoid Association That Nourishes Material AttachmentThis 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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