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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

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 8.67

জ্ঞানে প্রয়াসমুদপাস্য নমন্ত এব

জীবন্তি সন্মুখরিতাং ভবদীয়বার্তাম্ ।

স্থানে স্থিতাঃ শ্রুতিগতাং তনুবাঙ্মনোভি-

র্যে প্রায়শোঽজিত জিতোঽপ্যসি তৈস্ত্রিলোক্যাম্ ॥ ৬৭ ॥

jñāne prayāsam udapāsya namanta eva

jīvanti san-mukharitāṁ bhavadīya-vārtām

sthāne sthitāḥ śruti-gatāṁ tanu-vāṅ-manobhir

ye prāyaśo ’jita jito ’py asi tais tri-lokyām

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “Lord Brahmā said, ‘My dear Lord, those devotees who have thrown away the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth and have therefore abandoned discussing empiric philosophical truths should hear from self-realized devotees about Your holy name, form, pastimes and qualities. They should completely follow the principles of devotional service and remain free from illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and animal slaughter. Surrendering themselves fully with body, words and mind, they can live in any āśrama or social status. Indeed, You are conquered by such persons, although You are always unconquerable.’”

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.

Hear and Surrender With Your Whole Being

  1. 1

    Devotees abandon the impersonal conception and discussions of empiric philosophical truths. They hear from self-realized devotees about the Lord’s holy name, form, pastimes and qualities.

  2. 2

    They follow the principles of devotional service and remain free from illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and animal slaughter.

  3. 3

    They can remain in any āśrama or social status while surrendering fully with body, words and mind. Such devotees conquer the Lord, although He is always unconquerable.

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 introducing himself, Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya requested Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to remain in the village for some days. Honoring his request, Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed there in the home of some Vedic brāhmaṇas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 8
2

Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. jñānein gaining knowledge
  2. prayāsamunnecessary endeavor
  3. udapāsyasetting far aside
  4. namantaḥcompletely surrendering
  5. evacertainly
  6. jīvantilive
  7. sat-mukharitāmdeclared by great realized devotees
  8. bhavadīya-vārtāmdiscussions about You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
3

Key ideas in this verse

The themes of love and mercy this verse speaks of.

  • 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: “discussing”, “discussions”

  • Nāma-saṅkīrtana · The holy name shared together

    Chanting the holy names as the yuga-dharma, the Lord’s public movement, and the opening prayer of Śikṣāṣṭaka. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “holy name”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Taking shelter

    Turning toward Kṛṣṇa through shelter, surrender, dependence on guru, and unconditional devotional fidelity. · In the Prema Atlas

    In this verse: “surrendering”

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 can I bring my body, words and mind more fully into devotional service within my present circumstances?

Practice

Spend a few minutes hearing a self-realized devotee’s teaching about the Lord’s holy name, form, pastimes or qualities.

Live this todayHear and Surrender With Your Whole BeingThis 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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