TEXT 25
'kurvanti'-pada ei parasmaipada haya
krsna-sukha-nimitta bhajane tatparya kahaya
SYNONYMS
kurvantithey do (for others); padathe word; eithis; parasmaipadaa verb form indicating things done for others; hayais; krsna-sukha-nimittato satisfy Krsna; bhajanein devotional service; tatparyathe purport; kahayais said.
TRANSLATION
"The word kurvanti, which means 'they do something for others,' is a form of the verb 'things done for others.' It is used in connection with devotional service, which must be executed for the satisfaction of Krsna. That is the purport of the word kurvanti.
PURPORT
In Sanskrit the verb "to do" has two forms, technically called parasmaipada and atmanepada. When things are done for one's personal satisfaction, the form is called atmanepada. In that case, the word "do" in English is kurvante in Sanskrit. When things are done for others, the verb form changes to kurvanti. Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu informed Sanatana Gosvami that in the atmarama verse the verb kurvanti means that things should be done only for the satisfaction of Krsna. This is supported by the grammarian Panini. The verb is formed as atmanepada when the work is to be done for one's own benefit, and when it is done for others, it is called parasmaipada. Thus the verb is formed according to whether something is done for one's self-satisfaction or for another's satisfaction.

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