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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

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 ›

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 25.167

নিজ-লোক লঞা প্রভু আইলা বাসাঘর ।

বারাণসী হৈল দ্বিতীয় নদীয়া-নগর ॥ ১৬৭ ॥

nija-loka lañā prabhu āilā vāsāghara

vārāṇasī haila dvitīya nadīyā-nagara

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then returned to His residence with His personal associates. Thus He turned the whole city of Vārāṇasī into another Navadvīpa [Nadīyā-nagara].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Discussion Transforms a City

  1. 1

    Both Navadvīpa and Vārāṇasī were celebrated centers of learning. Yet discussion of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was ordinary in Navadvīpa and very rare in Vārāṇasī, where there were hardly any devotees.

  2. 2

    Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu turned Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī and his disciples into Vaiṣṇavas. Vārāṇasī became like Navadvīpa because so many devotees began discussing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

  3. 3

    The purport describes scholars and sannyāsīs gathering on the banks of the Ganges to hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and perform saṅkīrtana.

Key points from the purport
  • Both Navadvīpa and Vārāṇasī were celebrated for their highly educational activities.
  • However, unlike Navadvīpa, there are hardly any devotees in Vārāṇasī.
  • After Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited Vārānaṣī and turned Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī and his disciples into Vaiṣṇavas, Vārāṇasī became like Navadvīpa because so many devotees began discussing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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

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:

From that day, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became famous in the city of Vārāṇasī, and many important men in that city became His followers. By and by, one of the disciples of the great sannyāsī Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī became devoted to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and this devotee explained Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī and supported His views with various arguments.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 25
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Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. nija-loka lañāwith His personal associates
  2. prabhuŚrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
  3. āilā vāsa-agharacame to His residential place
  4. vārāṇasīthe city of Vārāṇasī
  5. hailabecame
  6. dvitīyasecond
  7. nadīyā-nagaraNavadvīpa (Nadia)
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Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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”, “discussion”

  • Nāma-saṅkīrtana · The holy name shared together

    Chanting the holy names as the yuga-dharma, the Lord’s public movement, and the opening prayer of Śikṣāṣṭaka. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “saṅkīrtana”

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 your learning make room for hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and chanting together?

Practice

Arrange a small opportunity to hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or chant together with someone.

Live this todayDevotional Discussion Transforms a CityThis 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 25.167? Get an answer from the verses themselves.