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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

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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 4: Śrī Mādhavendra Purī’s Devotional Service
Madhya 4.159Madhya 4.161

Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 4.160

গোপীনাথ আমার সে একই অঙ্গ হয় ।

ইঁহাকে চন্দন দিলে হবে মোর তাপ-ক্ষয় ॥ ১৬০ ॥

gopīnātha āmāra se eka-i aṅga haya

iṅhāke candana dile habe mora tāpa-kṣaya

Translation

“There is no difference between My body and Gopīnātha’s body. They are one and the same. Therefore if you smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopīnātha, you will naturally also smear it on My body. Thus the temperature of My body will be reduced.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Relieves His Devotee’s Burden

  1. 1

    Gopāla explained that His body and Gopīnātha’s body are one and the same. Applying sandalwood pulp to Gopīnātha would also cool Gopāla’s body.

  2. 2

    Vṛndāvana was far from Remuṇā, and travelers had to pass through provinces governed by Muslims, who sometimes hindered them.

  3. 3

    Lord Gopāla, the greatest well-wisher of His devotees, considered Mādhavendra Purī’s trouble. By directing him to serve Gopīnātha, the Lord relieved him of trouble and inconvenience.

Key points from the purport
  • Gopāla was situated in Vṛndāvana, which was far from Remuṇā.
  • In those days, one had to pass through provinces governed by the Muslims, who sometimes hindered travelers.
  • Considering the trouble of His devotee, Lord Gopāla, the greatest well-wisher of His devotees, ordered Mādhavendra Purī to smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopīnātha, which was nondifferent from the body of Gopāla.

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

Selfless service and longing. Gopāla’s requests, Gopīnātha’s mercy, and Mādhavendra Purī’s devotion deepen the theme of longing.

The mood of Madhya 4 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 4: Śrī Mādhavendra Purī’s Devotional Service

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

One night the Gopāla Deity again appeared to Mādhavendra Purī in a dream and asked him to go to Jagannātha Purī to collect some sandalwood pulp and smear it on the body of the Deity. Having received this order, Mādhavendra Purī immediately started for Orissa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 4
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. gopīnāthaLord Gopīnātha
  2. āmāraMy
  3. sethat
  4. eka-ione
  5. aṅgabody
  6. hayais
  7. iṅhākeunto Him
  8. candana dilein offering this candana
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Vraja-smaraṇa · Remembrance of Vṛndāvana

    The remembered sweetness of Vraja that colors Mahāprabhu’s pilgrimage, Ratha-yātrā, and later states of separation. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “gopīnātha’s”, “vṛndāvana”

  • 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: “serve”

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 does Gopāla’s consideration for Mādhavendra Purī deepen your understanding of the Lord’s care?

Practice

Read Gopāla’s explanation once today and reflect on how His instruction relieved His devotee’s burden.

Live this todayThe Lord Relieves His Devotee’s BurdenThis 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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