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Read one verse of Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta with its Bengali, transliteration, word meanings, translation and study points.
Śrī Caitanya Caritamrta · Text Madhya 8.128
কিবা বিপ্র, কিবা ন্যাসী, শূদ্র কেনে নয় ।
যেই কৃষ্ণতত্ত্ববেত্তা, সেই ‘গুরু’ হয় ॥ ১২৮ ॥
kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya
yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya
“Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra — regardless of what he is — he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.”
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioThree study points drawn from the translation and purport.
One who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa can become a spiritual master, whether a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra.
Knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is more important than caste because it is on the platform of the spirit soul.
To spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one must understand the science of the spirit soul. One’s social class or order of life does not determine this qualification.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.
Quoted in the purport ofSB 3.6.30
A person may be a brāhmaṇa or a śūdra or a sannyāsī, but if he happens to be well versed in the science of Kṛṣṇa, then he is fit to become a spiritual master.
Quoted in the purport ofSB 6.7.33
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu approved of this when He expressed this opinion before Rāmānanda Rāya: It does not matter whether one is a brāhmaṇa, śūdra, gṛhastha or sannyāsī.
Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.13.46
As quoted in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 8.128), Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said: A guru, or spiritual master, can be anyone who is well conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa.
Quoted in the purport ofSB 8.19.2
“Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra — regardless of what he is — he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.”
Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 4.135
Had the brāhmaṇa priest been an ordinary brāhmaṇa, Gopīnātha would not have talked with him in a dream.
Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.
Deepening intimacy and revelation. Their exchange ascends from duty to pure love and the confidential moods of Vraja.
The mood of Madhya 8 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas
From Śrīla Prabhupāda's chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:
This conjugal love attains its highest perfection in Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s love for Kṛṣṇa. He next described the position of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and the transcendental mellows of love of God.Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 8
Learn the words of the verse.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
Do I judge a spiritual teacher by social position or by knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa?
Write this reminder in your study notes: “Knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is more important than caste.”
His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.
1 lecture given on it · quoted in 45 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.
In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.
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 8.128? Get an answer from the verses themselves.