Latest Posts
Here you will find all the latest posts on the Bhaktivinoda Institute in the form of Articles, Book Chapters, Songs & Poems etc.
Amṛta-Pravāha Bhāṣya – Introduction
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura composed his Amṛta-pravāha Bhāṣya (“a commentary flowing with nectar”) on the Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in 1895, after struggling for many years to obtain an extant copy of the original text. Along with this commentary, he also wrote a maṅgalācaraṇa (invocation) at the beginning and provided concise summaries at the start of each chapter. This translation is based on the original edition of the Amṛta-pravāha Bhāṣya published by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s son, Śrī Rādhikā Prasāda Ṭhākura. Additional translated chapters will be released on a regular basis.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda in Gauḍacala
This article, by Prabhupāda Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, was first published in The Gauḍīya magazine (Vol.8, Issue 6) on September 14th 1929, commemorating the 91st appearance day of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. Sarasvatī Ṭhākura writes about the deplorable condition of Bengal, and the necessity for the Lord to send His dear associate there to purify the people.
The Superiority of Vedic Āryan Dharma (Vaidika Ārya-dharmera Śreṣṭhatā)
‘The Superiority of Vedic Āryan Dharma’ was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.2, Issues 2 & 3) in 1885. Herein, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes the five types of religion found in the world and demonstrates how the Vedic religion of the Āryan people surpasses all kinds of dharma.
Śrī Artha Pañcaka (Five Essential Principles)
This overview of Śrī Pillai Lokācārya’s ‘Artha Pañcaka’ (Five Essential Principles) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was first published In Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.7, Issue 3 in 1895. Composed in the 13th century, this concise work on Śrī Vaiṣṇava siddhānta outlines five key philosophical principles that a jīva must grasp in order to progress in their spiritual journey.
Śrī Śikṣāṣṭakam
Although Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura composed a Sanskrit commentary on the Śikṣāṣṭakam in 1886, known as the Sammodana Bhāṣyam, it is less widely known that he also wrote a second commentary in Bengali in the same year. This Bengali commentary was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol. 3, Issue 9), and while similar philosophical points can be found in both commentaries, the Bengali version delves into more detail in certain places. In the original Bengali, the verses of the Śikṣāṣṭakam along with their translations were not included. We have added them here for the benefit of the reader.
Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Ānanda Bazaar Patrikā and Prema Gāthā – A Review
In this review from Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol. 11 Issue 5 published in 1899, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura critiques a new newspaper which mixes topics concerning Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism along with mundane current events, and also a book of devotional poetry.
What Should be the True Aim of Education?
This extremely rare and early English article of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was published in the newspaper, 'The Hindu Intelligencer,' on 19th January 1857. In his autobiographical letter, the Ṭhākura narrates that in his youth, he wrote some articles for The Hindu Intelligencer. This particular essay was read by him at the debating club at Hogalkuria in West Bengal when he was merely 19 years old. Although the theme of this short article is not spiritual, it is nonetheless interesting to observe how Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was concerned about the welfare of his fellow countrymen.
Tattva Sūtra – Chapter Five
Tattva Sūtra ('Aphorisms on the Supreme Truth') was originally written by Bharadvāja Muni, and commented upon by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in 1894 and serialised in his Sajjana Toṣaṇī journal in 1895. The Tattva Sūtra is comprised of five chapters containing fifty Sanskrit sūtras related to the Supreme Reality, consciousness, non-consciousness, their relationship and the conclusion.
Bhāgavatārka Marīci Mālā – Fourth Ray
In 1901, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura published the Bhāgavatārka Marīci Mālā (‘A Garland of Rays from the Sun-like Bhāgavatam’). The Ṭhākura took over a thousand quintessential verses from the 1800 verses of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and complied them into 20 chapters, or ‘rays’ which expound upon various aspects of the Bhāgavata philosophy. Along with the verses, Bhaktivinoda wrote a commentary called the Marīci Prabhā (‘An Illumination on the Rays’). This follows along the same lines as his Gītā commentaries in that his commentary is incorporated within the verse translation. Translated into English by Swami B.V. Giri.
The Akhras in Puri
This rare English essay, 'The Akhras in Puri' was written in 1871 by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura when he was the Deputy Magistrate in Puri. The Ṭhākura lists the main 'akhras' (ākhaḍas) or monasteries in Puri and then proceeds to describe the general activities in the akhras and how they could be improved. The original English spelling has been retained in this article for posterity. The Bhaktivinoda Institute would like to extend its thanks to H.G. Sundara Gopala Prabhu and the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) in Kolkata for sending this important article to us.
Tattva Sūtra – Chapter Four
Tattva Sūtra ('Aphorisms on the Supreme Truth') was originally written by Bharadvāja Muni, and commented upon by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in 1894 and serialised in his Sajjana Toṣaṇī journal in 1895. The Tattva Sūtra is comprised of five chapters containing fifty Sanskrit sūtras related to the Supreme Reality, consciousness, non-consciousness, their relationship and the conclusion.
Tattva Sūtra – Chapter Three
Tattva Sūtra ('Aphorisms on the Supreme Truth') was originally written by Bharadvāja Muni, and commented upon by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in 1894 and serialised in his Sajjana Toṣaṇī journal in 1895. The Tattva Sūtra is comprised of five chapters containing fifty Sanskrit sūtras related to the Supreme Reality, consciousness, non-consciousness, their relationship and the conclusion.
Rasa Saṅketa (The Indications of Rasa)
This is a rare poem by the Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura called Rasa Saṅketa (‘Indications of Rasa’). This was printed as an appendix to the first edition of his songbook, Kalyāṇa Kalpataru, published in 1880, but was not included in subsequent editions. This poem gives a synopsis of the blossoming of rasa according to the rasa-śāstras of the Gosvāmīs, and includes footnotes written by the Ṭhākura himself. This was later published in 'The Gauḍīya' magazine of Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, and has now been translated into English for the first time.
Tattva Sūtra – Chapter Two
Tattva Sūtra ('Aphorisms on the Supreme Truth') was originally written by Bharadvāja Muni, and commented upon by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in 1894 and serialised in his Sajjana Toṣaṇī journal in 1895. The Tattva Sūtra is comprised of five chapters containing fifty Sanskrit sūtras related to the Supreme Reality, consciousness, non-consciousness, their relationship and the conclusion.
Bhāgavatārka Marīci Mālā – Third Ray
In 1901, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura published the Bhāgavatārka Marīci Mālā (‘A Garland of Rays from the Sun-like Bhāgavatam’). The Ṭhākura took over a thousand quintessential verses from the 1800 verses of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and complied them into 20 chapters, or ‘rays’ which expound upon various aspects of the Bhāgavata philosophy. Along with the verses, Bhaktivinoda wrote a commentary called the Marīci Prabhā (‘An Illumination on the Rays’). This follows along the same lines as his Gītā commentaries in that his commentary is incorporated within the verse translation. Translated into English by Swami B.V. Giri.
On 18th August 2012, on the occasion of his Vyāsa Pūjā, Śrīla Bhakti Gaurava Narasiṅgha Mahārāja announced to the devotees that he had a strong desire to create a website called “Bhaktivinoda Institute” in honour of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and his teachings in order to preserve and propagate them. 
