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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 3.168

শ্রীবাসাদি যত প্রভুর বিপ্র ভক্তগণ ।

প্রভুকে ভিক্ষা দিতে হৈল সবাকার মন ॥ ১৬৮ ॥

śrīvāsādi yata prabhura vipra bhakta-gaṇa

prabhuke bhikṣā dite haila sabākāra mana

Translation

Since Advaita Ācārya was giving alms and food to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the other devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, also desired to give Him alms and invite Him for lunch.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Householders Support Those Who Teach Spiritually

  1. 1

    Although Advaita Ācārya was supplying Caitanya Mahāprabhu with prasādam, the other devotees also desired to offer Him prasādam.

  2. 2

    The purport describes inviting a nearby sannyāsī into one’s home as the duty of all gṛhasthas, or householders.

  3. 3

    Householders provide food and lodging, while the sannyāsī enlightens the inhabitants in spiritual understanding.

Key points from the purport
  • It is the duty of all gṛhasthas to invite a sannyāsī to their homes if he happens to be in the neighborhood or village.
  • In other words, a sannyāsī has no housing or food problems even when he travels extensively.
  • Even though Advaita Ācārya was supplying Caitanya Mahāprabhu with prasādam, the other devotees from Navadvīpa and Śāntipura also desired to offer Him prasādam.

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

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:

In the evening there was a mass saṅkīrtana at the house of Advaita Prabhu, and mother Śacīdevī gave Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu permission to leave. She requested Him to make Jagannātha Purī, Nīlācala, His headquarters.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 3
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Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. śrīvāsa-ādithe devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura
  2. yataall
  3. prabhuraof the Lord
  4. vipraespecially the brāhmaṇas
  5. bhakta-gaṇadevotees
  6. prabhukeunto the Lord
  7. bhikṣālunch
  8. diteto give
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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can hospitality support those who share spiritual understanding?

Practice

Take one small step toward helping provide a meal for a visiting sannyāsī, such as asking whether assistance is needed.

Live this todayHouseholders Support Those Who Teach SpirituallyThis 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 3.168? Get an answer from the verses themselves.