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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 8.65

ব্রহ্মভূতঃ প্রসন্নাত্মা ন শোচতি ন কাঙ্ক্ষতি ।

সমঃ সর্বেষু ভূতেষু মদ্ভক্তিং লভতে পরাম্ ॥ ৬৫ ॥

brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā

na śocati na kāṅkṣati

samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu

mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “According to the Bhagavad-gītā, ‘One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.’”

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Understanding Leads Toward Pure Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The purport describes one who accepts monism and engages in empiric philosophical discussion about spiritual life. At the stage described, one becomes joyful and free from material lamentation and hankering.

  2. 2

    One becomes equipoised, seeing all living entities as spiritual beings. After attaining this elevated stage, one can attain pure devotional service.

  3. 3

    The purport concludes that devotional service mixed with ritualistic fruitive activity is inferior to spiritual service based on empiric philosophic discussion.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse from the Bhagavad-gītā it is said that a person who accepts the theory of monism — being always engaged in empiric philosophical discussions about spiritual life — becomes joyful and is relieved from all material lamentation and hankering.
  • After attaining this elevated stage, one can attain pure devotional service.
  • The conclusion is that devotional service mixed with ritualistic fruitive activity is inferior to spiritual service based on empiric philosophic discussion.

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

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

Further reading

Madhya 8: Talks Between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Rāmānanda Rāya

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

After hearing Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya recite some verses, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the principle of pure devotional service devoid of all kinds of speculation. After this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Rāmānanda Rāya to explain the higher platform of devotional service.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 8
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Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. brahma-bhūtaḥfreed from material conceptions of life but attached to an impersonal situation
  2. prasanna-ātmāfully joyful
  3. na śocatihe does not lament
  4. na kāṅkṣatihe does not hanker
  5. samaḥequally disposed
  6. sarveṣuall
  7. bhūteṣuto the living entities
  8. mat-bhaktimMy devotional service
  9. labhateachieves
  10. parāmtranscendental
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Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • Vipralambha · Love in separation

    Separation that intensifies remembrance and longing; especially central to the confidential pastimes at Purī. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “laments”, “lamentation”

  • 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: “service”

  • Sādhu-saṅga · Love grows through association

    Spiritual association shapes the movement, empowers disciples, and reveals truths through loving conversations. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “discussion”

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 might seeing others as spiritual beings help me become more equally disposed toward them?

Practice

In one interaction today, consciously remember that the other person is a spiritual being and treat them with equal regard.

Live this todaySpiritual Understanding Leads Toward Pure Devotional ServiceThis 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 8.65? Get an answer from the verses themselves.