1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by līlā and chapter

Madhya-līlā · 25 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
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 23: Life’s Ultimate Goal — Love of Godhead
Madhya 22.169Madhya 23.2

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 23.1

চিরাদদত্তং নিজ-গুপ্তবিত্তং

স্বপ্রেম-নামামৃতমত্যুদারঃ ।

আপামরং যো বিততার গৌরঃ

কৃষ্ণো জনেভ্যস্তমহং প্ৰপদ্যে ॥ ১ ॥

cirād adattaṁ nija-gupta-vittaṁ

sva-prema-nāmāmṛtam aty-udāraḥ

ā-pāmaraṁ yo vitatāra gauraḥ

kṛṣṇo janebhyas tam ahaṁ prapadye

Translation

The most munificent Supreme Personality of Godhead, known as Gaurakṛṣṇa, distributed to everyone — even the lowest of men — His own confidential treasury in the form of the nectar of love of Himself and the holy name. This was never given to the people at any time before. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.

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.

Gaurakṛṣṇa Freely Gives Love and the Holy Name

  1. 1

    Gaurakṛṣṇa is the most munificent Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    He distributed His own confidential treasury: the nectar of love of Himself and the holy name.

  3. 3

    He gave this treasure to everyone, even the lowest of men. Such a gift had never been given to people before.

How it feels

Theological emotional crescendo. Bhāva, prema, the devotional rasas, and mahābhāva are systematically expounded.

The mood of Madhya 23 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 23: Life’s Ultimate Goal — Love of Godhead

From Śrīla Prabhupāda's chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The following summary of the twenty-third chapter is given by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya. In this chapter Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu describes the symptoms of emotion and love and the awakening of one’s original loving relationship with the Lord, as well as the characteristics of a devotee who has actually attained that stage.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 23
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. cirātfor a long time
  2. adattamnot given
  3. nija-gupta-vittamHis own personal confidential property
  4. sva-premaof love for Him
  5. nāmaof the holy name
  6. amṛtamthe ambrosia
  7. ati-udāraḥmost munificent
  8. ā-pāmarameven down to the lowest of men
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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: “distributed”, “to everyone”

  • Prema · Love of Godhead

    The culminating devotional purpose that unites the narration: bestowed, cultivated, taught, celebrated, and tasted. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “love”

  • 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: “lowest”

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 the generosity of Gaurakṛṣṇa deepen my gratitude for the holy name?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to Gaurakṛṣṇa and chant His holy name with gratitude.

Live this todayGaurakṛṣṇa Freely Gives Love and the Holy NameThis 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 23.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 9 · 2 minAsk Caitanya CaritamrtaBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the book's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnLīlās & chapters