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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 25.146Madhya 25.148

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 25.147

গায়ত্রীর অর্থে এই গ্রন্থ-আরম্ভন ।

“সত্যং পরং” — সম্বন্ধ, “ধীমহি” — সাধন-প্রয়োজন ॥ ১৪৭ ॥

gāyatrīra arthe ei grantha-ārambhana

“satyaṁ paraṁ” — sambandha, “dhīmahi” — sādhana-prayojana

Translation

“In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there is an explanation of the Brahma-gāyatrī mantra. ‘The Absolute Truth [satyaṁ param]’ indicates the relationship, and ‘we meditate [dhīmahi] on Him’ indicates the execution of devotional service and the ultimate goal of life.

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.

Relationship, Devotional Service, and Life’s Goal

  1. 1

    The beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam explains the Brahma-gāyatrī mantra.

  2. 2

    The words “the Absolute Truth,” or satyaṁ param, indicate the relationship.

  3. 3

    The words “we meditate on Him,” or dhīmahi, indicate both the execution of devotional service and the ultimate goal of life.

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. gāyatrīra arthewith the meaning of Brahma-gāyatrī
  2. eithis
  3. granthaof the great literature
  4. ārambhanathe beginning
  5. satyam paramthe supreme Absolute Truth
  6. sambandhashows a relationship
  7. dhīmahiwe meditate (the end of the Gāyatrī mantra)
  8. sādhana-prayojanathe execution of service and the achievement of the ultimate goal
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Bhāva & rasa · The language of sacred feeling

    Transcendental devotional moods and relationships, discussed explicitly in Rāmānanda’s dialogue and the teachings on prema. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “relationship”

  • 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 might seeing meditation on Him as both devotional service and life’s goal shape my attention?

Practice

Write down satyaṁ param and dhīmahi, with the meaning this verse gives each.

Live this todayRelationship, Devotional Service, and Life’s 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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