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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 24.213Madhya 24.215

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 24.214

দেহারামী কর্মনিষ্ঠ — যাজ্ঞিকাদি জন ।

সৎসঙ্গে ‘কর্ম’ ত্যজি’ করয় ভজন ॥ ২১৪ ॥

dehārāmī karma-niṣṭha — yājñikādi jana

sat-saṅge ‘karma’ tyaji’ karaya bhajana

Translation

“Those who are in the bodily conception mainly engage in fruitive activity. Those who perform yajñas and ritualistic ceremonies are also considered in the same category. However, when such persons come in contact with the pure devotee, they give up their fruitive activity and fully engage in the service of the Lord.

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 Fruitive Activity to the Lord’s Service

  1. 1

    Those in the bodily conception mainly engage in fruitive activity.

  2. 2

    Those performing yajñas and ritualistic ceremonies are also included in this category.

  3. 3

    Through contact with a pure devotee, such persons give up fruitive activity and fully engage in the Lord’s service.

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 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 summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 24
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. dehārāmīthose in the bodily concept of life
  2. karma-niṣṭhaattracted to fruitive activities
  3. yājñika-ādi janapersons who perform ritualistic ceremonies for a better standard of life
  4. sat-saṅgein contact with devotees
  5. karma tyaji’giving up such fruitive activities
  6. karaya bhajanaengage in the devotional service of the Lord
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: “pure devotee”

  • 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

Where am I seeking a personal result rather than an opportunity to serve the Lord?

Practice

Choose one small act of service to the Lord today without seeking a personal reward.

Live this todayFrom Fruitive Activity to the Lord’s 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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