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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 22.97Madhya 22.99

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 22.98

অহো বকী যং স্তনকালকূটং

জিঘাংসয়াপায়য়দপ্যসাধ্বী ।

লেভে গতিং ধাত্র্যুচিতাং ততোঽন্যং

কং বা দয়ালুং শরণং ব্রজেম ॥ ৯৮ ॥

aho bakī yaṁ stana-kāla-kūṭaṁ

jighāṁsayāpāyayad apy asādhvī

lebhe gatiṁ dhātry-ucitāṁ tato ’nyaṁ

kaṁ vā dayāluṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajema

Translation

“ ‘Oh, how wonderful it is! Pūtanā, the sister of Bakāsura, wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa by smearing deadly poison on her breasts and having Kṛṣṇa take it. Nonetheless, Lord Kṛṣṇa accepted her as His mother, and thus she attained the destination befitting Kṛṣṇa’s mother. Of whom should I take shelter but Kṛṣṇa, who is most merciful?’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter of the Most Merciful Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Pūtanā, the sister of Bakāsura, wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa by having Him take deadly poison smeared on her breasts.

  2. 2

    Nonetheless, Kṛṣṇa accepted her as His mother. She attained the destination befitting His mother.

  3. 3

    This wonderful mercy inspires the question: of whom should one take shelter but Kṛṣṇa, who is most merciful?

Connected verses· 1

The purport of CC Madhya 22.98 quotesSB 3.2.23

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.2.23).

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
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. ahohow wonderful
  2. bakīPūtanā, the sister of Bakāsura
  3. yamwhom
  4. stanaon the two breasts
  5. kāla-kūṭamthe deadly poison
  6. jighāṁsayāwith a desire to kill
  7. apāyayatforced to drink
  8. apialthough
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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”, “mercy”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

    Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 does Kṛṣṇa’s mercy toward Pūtanā deepen my desire to take His shelter?

Practice

Reread this account of Kṛṣṇa’s mercy and offer a short prayer seeking His shelter.

Live this todayTake Shelter of the Most Merciful KṛṣṇaThis 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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