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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 25: How All the Residents of Vārāṇasī Became Vaiṣṇavas
Madhya 25.103Madhya 25.105

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 25.104

সাধনের ফল — ‘প্রেম’ মূল-প্রয়োজন ।

সেই প্রেমে পায় জীব আমার ‘সেবন’ ॥ ১০৪ ॥

sādhanera phala — ‘prema’ mūla-prayojana

sei preme pāya jīva āmāra ‘sevana’

Translation

“ ‘By rendering devotional service, one gradually rises to the platform of love of Godhead. That is the chief goal of life. On the platform of love of Godhead, one is eternally engaged 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.

Love of Godhead is life’s chief goal

  1. 1

    By rendering devotional service, one gradually rises to the platform of love of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Love of Godhead is the chief goal of life.

  3. 3

    On that platform, one is eternally engaged in the Lord’s service. Reaching the goal does not mean leaving service behind.

How it feels

Reconciliation and broad mercy. Opponents turn toward bhakti; the Lord returns to Purī and embraces devotees.

The mood of Madhya 25 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 25: How All the Residents of Vārāṇasī Became Vaiṣṇavas

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

He asked Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu about devotional service in terms of the Vedānta-sūtra, and the Lord told him about devotional service that is approved by great personalities who know the Vedānta-sūtra. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then pointed out that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the proper commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 25
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. sādhanera phalathe result of devotional service
  2. premalove of Godhead
  3. mūla-prayojanathe chief goal
  4. sei premeby that love of Godhead
  5. pāyagets
  6. jīvathe living entity
  7. āmāraMy
  8. sevanaservice
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Prema · Love of Godhead

    The culminating devotional purpose that unites the narration: bestowed, cultivated, taught, celebrated, and tasted. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “love of godhead”

  • 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

How would seeing love of Godhead as life’s chief goal change my priorities today?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and remember that its goal is love of Godhead.

Live this todayLove of Godhead is life’s chief goalThis 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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