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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 25: How All the Residents of Vārāṇasī Became Vaiṣṇavas
Madhya 25.136Madhya 25.138

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 25.137

ন সাধয়তি মাং যোগো ন সাংখ্যং ধর্ম উদ্ধব ।

ন স্বাধ্যায়স্তপস্ত্যাগো যথা ভক্তির্মমোর্জিতা ॥ ১৩৭ ॥

na sādhayati māṁ yogo

na sāṅkhyaṁ dharma uddhava

na svādhyāyas tapas tyāgo

yathā bhaktir mamorjitā

Translation

“[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, said:] ‘My dear Uddhava, neither through aṣṭāṅga-yoga [the mystic yoga system to control the senses], nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyāsa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.’

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Devotion Pleases Kṛṣṇa Most

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells Uddhava that unalloyed devotional service satisfies Him more than the other practices listed.

  2. 2

    Mystic yoga, impersonal monism and analytical study of the Absolute Truth do not please Him as much as pure devotion.

  3. 3

    Study of the Vedas, austerities, charity and acceptance of sannyāsa likewise do not equal unalloyed devotional service in satisfying Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • For an explanation see Ādi-līlā, chapter seventeen, text 76.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of CC Madhya 25.137 quotesSB 11.14.20

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.14.20).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. nanever
  2. sādhayaticauses to remain satisfied
  3. māmMe
  4. yogaḥthe process of control
  5. nanor
  6. sāṅkhyamthe process of gaining philosophical knowledge about the Absolute Truth
  7. dharmaḥsuch an occupation
  8. uddhavaMy dear Uddhava
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”

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 can I make pleasing Kṛṣṇa the purpose of my spiritual practice?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and make pleasing Kṛṣṇa your intention.

Live this todayPure Devotion Pleases Kṛṣṇa MostThis 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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