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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

1Say the verse. Read the transliteration aloud, slowly.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each word and its meaning.
3Read the translation. Ask: what is happening here, and who is it about?
4Read the purport slowly. Read it twice. Don't rush.
5See Lord Caitanya as Kṛṣṇa. Remember who is acting in the pastime.
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 24.198 Madhya 24.200

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 24.199

সত্যং দিশত্যর্থিতমর্থিতো নৃণাং

নৈবার্থদো যৎ পুনরর্থিতা যতঃ ।

স্বয়ং বিধত্তে ভজতামনিচ্ছতা-

মিচ্ছা-পিধানং নিজপাদপল্লবম্ ॥ ১৯৯ ॥

satyaṁ diśaty arthitam arthito nṛṇāṁ

naivārtha-do yat punar arthitā yataḥ

svayaṁ vidhatte bhajatām anicchatām

icchā-pidhānaṁ nija-pāda-pallavam

Translation

“ ‘Whenever Kṛṣṇa is requested to fulfill one’s desire, He undoubtedly does so, but He does not award anything which, after being enjoyed, will cause one to petition Him again and again to fulfill further desires. When one has other desires but engages in the Lord’s service, Kṛṣṇa forcibly gives one shelter at His lotus feet, where one will forget all other desires.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Gives Shelter Beyond Material Desires

1
Kṛṣṇa fulfills desires when requested, but He does not give something that will lead to repeated petitions for further enjoyment.
2
A person may have other desires and still engage in the Lord’s service.
3
Kṛṣṇa forcibly gives that person shelter at His lotus feet, where all other desires are forgotten.

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

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

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

He then concluded that different classes of transcendentalists ( jñānīs, karmīs, yogīs ) utilize this verse according to their own interpretation, but if they would give up this process and surrender to Kṛṣṇa, as indicated by the verse itself, they would be able to comprehend the real meaning of the verse.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in Madhya 24

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

satyamit is true
diśatiHe awards
arthitamthat which is desired
arthitaḥbeing requested
nṛṇāmby human beings
nanot
evacertainly
artha-daḥgiving desired things

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter
Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas
In this verse: “shelter”, “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.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What would it mean to seek Kṛṣṇa’s shelter rather than another temporary satisfaction?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking Kṛṣṇa for shelter at His lotus feet.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Gives Shelter Beyond Material DesiresThis 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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