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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

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 3.116

ফিরি’ ফিরি’ কভু প্রভুর ধরেন চরণ ।

চরণে ধরিয়া প্ৰভুরে বলেন বচন ॥ ১১৬ ॥

phiri’ phiri’ kabhu prabhura dharena caraṇa

caraṇe dhariyā prabhure balena vacana

Translation

While dancing, Advaita Ācārya would sometimes turn around and around and catch the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Advaita Ācārya would then speak to Him as follows.

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.

Devotion at the Lord’s Lotus Feet

  1. 1

    Advaita Ācārya danced and sometimes turned around and around.

  2. 2

    While dancing, He would catch the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

  3. 3

    He would then speak to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

How it feels

Reunion and heartbreaking parting. After sannyāsa, mother Śacī and the devotees reunite with Him before consenting to separation.

The mood of Madhya 3 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 3: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s Stay at the House of Advaita Ācārya

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

Mother Śacīdevī cooked for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu, and at that time there were many joking exchanges between Advaita Prabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu. In the evening there was a mass saṅkīrtana at the house of Advaita Prabhu, and mother Śacīdevī gave Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu permission to leave.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 3
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. phiri’ phiri’turning and turning
  2. kabhusometimes
  3. prabhuraof the Lord
  4. dharenacatches
  5. caraṇathe lotus feet
  6. caraṇe dhariyācatching the lotus feet
  7. prabhureunto the Lord
  8. balenasays
  9. vacanawords
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

    Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “lotus feet”

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

What does the image of Advaita Ācārya catching the Lord’s lotus feet invite you to reflect on?

Practice

Pause for a moment today to remember Advaita Ācārya at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Live this todayDevotion at the Lord’s Lotus FeetThis 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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