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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 9.156

মণির্যথা বিভাগেন নীলপীতাদিভির্যুতঃ ।

রূপভেদমবাপ্নোতি ধ্যানভেদাত্তথাচ্যুতঃ ॥ ১৫৬ ॥

maṇir yathā vibhāgena

nīla-pītādibhir yutaḥ

rūpa-bhedam avāpnoti

dhyāna-bhedāt tathācyutaḥ

Translation

“ ‘When the jewel known as vaidūrya touches various other materials, it appears to be separated into different colors, and consequently its forms also appear different. Similarly, according to the meditational ecstasy of the devotee, the Lord, who is known as Acyuta [“the infallible one”], appears in different forms, although He is essentially one.’”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Different Forms, One Infallible Lord

  1. 1

    When the jewel vaidūrya touches various materials, it appears in different colors and forms.

  2. 2

    Similarly, the Lord appears in different forms according to the meditational ecstasy of the devotee.

  3. 3

    The Lord is known as Acyuta, “the infallible one.” Although He appears in different forms, He is essentially one.

Key points from the purport
  • This is a verse quoted from Śrī Nārada-pañcarātra.

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

Wonder and inclusion. Meetings across sacred places display the broad reach of devotional mercy.

The mood of Madhya 9 as a whole, an editorial reading, not the text itself. See the emotional atlas

Further reading

Madhya 9: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s Travels to the Holy Places

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

A brāhmaṇa devotee of Lord Rāmacandra talked with Him. Then the Lord took His bath in the river Kṛtamālā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in Madhya 9
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Word for word

Learn the words of the verse.

  1. maṇiḥjewel, specifically the jewel known as vaidūrya
  2. yathāas
  3. vibhāgenaseparately
  4. nīlablue
  5. pītayellow
  6. ādibhiḥand with other colors
  7. yutaḥjoined
  8. rūpa-bhedamdifference of form
3

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: “separated”

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 the example of vaidūrya help me understand the Lord’s unity amid His different forms?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining how the vaidūrya example illustrates that the Lord is essentially one.

Live this todayDifferent Forms, One Infallible LordThis 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 9.156? Get an answer from the verses themselves.