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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 24: The Sixty-One Explanations of the Ātmārāma Verse
Madhya 24.164Madhya 24.166

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 24.165

‘আত্মা’ শব্দে ‘মন’ কহ — মনে যেই রমে ।

সাধুসঙ্গে সেহ ভজে শ্রীকৃষ্ণচরণে ॥ ১৬৫ ॥

‘ātmā’ śabde ‘mana’ kaha — mane yei rame

sādhu-saṅge seha bhaje śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇe

Translation

“The word ‘ātmā’ sometimes means ‘the mind.’ In this case the word ‘ātmārāma’ means ‘a person who is satisfied by mental speculation.’ When such a person associates with a pure devotee, he takes to devotional service at the lotus feet of 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.

From Mental Satisfaction to Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The word ‘ātmā’ sometimes means ‘the mind.’

  2. 2

    With this meaning, ‘ātmārāma’ describes a person satisfied by mental speculation.

  3. 3

    When such a person associates with a pure devotee, he takes to devotional service at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

How it feels

Intellectual wonder humbled. Many explanations converge on the attractiveness of devotion; a hunter’s heart is transformed.

The mood of Madhya 24 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 24: The Sixty-One Explanations of the Ātmārāma Verse

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

He analyzed all the words and described each word with its different connotations. Adding the words ca and api, He described all the different meanings of the verse.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 24
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. ātmā-śabdeby the word ātmā
  2. manathe mind
  3. kahaif you say
  4. manewithin the mind
  5. yei rameone who is satisfied by speculation
  6. sādhu-saṅgeby the association of devotees
  7. sehahe also
  8. bhajetakes to devotional service
  9. śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇeat the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa
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: “associates”, “pure devotee”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

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

    In this verse: “lotus feet”

  • 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”

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

Are you content with thinking about spiritual life, or are you also seeking opportunities to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Ask a devotee about one small way you can serve Kṛṣṇa today.

Live this todayFrom Mental Satisfaction to Devotional ServiceThis 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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