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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 3: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s Stay at the House of Advaita Ācārya
Madhya 3.79Madhya 3.81

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 3.80

আজি উপবাস হৈল আচার্য-নিমন্ত্রণে ।

অর্ধপেট না ভরিবে এই গ্ৰাসেক অন্নে ॥ ৮০ ॥

āji upavāsa haila ācārya-nimantraṇe

ardha-peṭa nā bharibe ei grāseka anne

Translation

Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was thinking that the quantity of food was enormous, Nityānanda Prabhu, on the contrary, thought it not even a morsel. He had been fasting for three days and had greatly hoped to break fast on that day. Indeed, He said, “Although I am invited to eat by Advaita Ācārya, today also is a fast. So small a quantity of food will not fill even half My belly.”

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.

One Meal, Two Different Assessments

  1. 1

    Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thought the quantity of food was enormous, while Nityānanda Prabhu thought it was not even a morsel.

  2. 2

    Nityānanda Prabhu had fasted for three days and greatly hoped to break His fast that day.

  3. 3

    Although invited by Advaita Ācārya, He said that the day was still a fast: the food would not fill even half His belly.

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:

After accepting the sannyāsa order at Katwa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu traveled continuously for three days in Rāḍha-deśa and, by the trick of Nityānanda Prabhu, eventually came to the western side of Śāntipura. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was induced to believe that the river Ganges was the Yamunā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 3
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. ājitoday also
  2. upavāsafasting
  3. hailathere was
  4. ācārya-nimantraṇeby the invitation of Advaita Ācārya
  5. ardha-peṭahalf My belly
  6. nānot
  7. bharibewill fill
  8. eithis
  9. grāseka anneone morsel of food
3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do I notice about the contrast between the two Lords’ descriptions of the same meal?

Practice

Write down the two contrasting descriptions of the food and read them side by side.

Live this todayOne Meal, Two Different AssessmentsThis 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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