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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 24.287Madhya 24.289

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 24.288

জাত-অজাত-রতিভেদে সাধক দুই ভেদ ।

বিধি-রাগ-মার্গে চারি চারি — অষ্ট ভেদ ॥ ২৮৮ ॥

jāta-ajāta-rati-bhede sādhaka dui bheda

vidhi-rāga-mārge cāri cāri — aṣṭa bheda

Translation

“Those who are practicing devotional service are either mature or immature. Therefore the sādhakas are of two types. Since the devotees execute either regulative devotional service or spontaneous devotional service and there are four groups within these two divisions, altogether there are eight varieties.

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.

Practitioners Have Different Degrees of Maturity

  1. 1

    Those practicing devotional service may be mature or immature. Thus sādhakas are of two types.

  2. 2

    These two types of practitioners, together with eternal associates and associates perfected by devotional service, form four groups.

  3. 3

    The four groups occur within both regulative and spontaneous devotional service. Altogether, this gives eight varieties of devotees.

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:

In this regard, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu narrated a story about how the great sage Nārada converted a hunter into a great Vaiṣṇava, and how this was appreciated by Nārada’s friend Parvata Muni. Sanātana Gosvāmī then offered a prayer to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained the glory of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 24
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. jāta-ajāta-rati-bhedeby distinction of mature love and immature love
  2. sādhaka dui bhedathose practicing devotional service are of two varieties
  3. vidhiregulative devotion
  4. rāgaspontaneous devotion
  5. mārgeon both the paths
  6. cāri cārithere are four different varieties
  7. aṣṭa bhedaa total of eight kinds
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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”

  • Kīrtana community · A movement of shared hearts

    Devotional community as a living network of branches, service, festivals, care, and collective chanting. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “together”

  • 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”

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 recognizing different degrees of maturity help you view your own devotional practice?

Practice

Draw two columns for regulative and spontaneous devotional service, and list the four groups under each.

Live this todayPractitioners Have Different Degrees of MaturityThis 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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