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Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.
Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 23.26
‘সর্বোত্তম’ আপনাকে ‘হীন’ করি’ মানে ॥ ২৬ ॥
‘sarvottama’ āpanāke ‘hīna’ kari māne
“Although a pure devotee’s standard is above all, he still considers himself to be in the lowest stage of life.
Read this verse on Vedabase.ioThis verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.
Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.
A pure devotee’s standard is above all.
Yet the pure devotee considers himself to be in the lowest stage of life.
The verse places an exalted devotional standard alongside a deeply humble view of oneself.
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
From Śrīla Prabhupāda's chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:
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. He then describes the gradual increase of love of God up to the point of mahābhāva.Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 23
Learn the words of the 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: “lowest”, “humble”
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: “pure devotee”
Concept links are an editorial study map; only the verse is the text itself.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
How do you regard yourself when you feel you have made devotional progress?
Today, notice one moment when you feel superior and recall the pure devotee’s humble view of himself.
Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.
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