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Study a Verse

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 24.343Madhya 24.345

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 24.344

‘সামান্য’ সদাচার, আর ‘বৈষ্ণব’-আচার ।

কর্তব্যাকর্তব্য সব ‘স্মার্ত’ ব্যবহার ॥ ৩৪৪ ॥

‘sāmānya’ sad-ācāra, āra ‘vaiṣṇava’-ācāra

kartavyākartavya saba ‘smārta’ vyavahāra

Translation

“You should give general and specific descriptions of the behavior and activities of a Vaiṣṇava. You should outline things that are to be done and things that are not to be done. All this should be described as regulations and etiquette.

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.

Learn Vaiṣṇava conduct through clear guidance

  1. 1

    The behavior and activities of a Vaiṣṇava should be described both generally and specifically.

  2. 2

    Guidance should outline things that are to be done and things that are not to be done.

  3. 3

    These instructions should be presented as regulations and etiquette.

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. sāmānyageneral
  2. sat-ācāragood behavior
  3. āraand
  4. vaiṣṇavaof devotees of Lord Viṣṇu
  5. ācāraetiquette
  6. kartavya-akartavyathings which are to be done and which are not to be done
  7. sabaall
  8. smārtaconnected with regulative principles
  9. vyavahārabusiness
3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which aspect of Vaiṣṇava etiquette would you like clearer guidance on?

Practice

Using this batch of verses, write down one thing to do and one thing to avoid today.

Live this todayLearn Vaiṣṇava conduct through clear guidanceThis 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.

Ask Caitanya CaritamrtaHave a question about CC Madhya 24.344? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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