Latest Posts
Here you will find all the latest posts on the Bhaktivinoda Institute in the form of Articles, Book Chapters, Songs & Poems etc.
MΔtsarya (Envy)
Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura deliberates upon envy according to the VaiαΉ£αΉava perspective, presenting mΔtsarya as a direct competitor to divine love (prema) and examining the harm it inflicts upon a practising devotee. First published in Sajjana ToαΉ£aαΉΔ«, Vol. 4.
A dispute about ΕrΔ« ΕrΔ« MahΔprabhu (ΕrΔ« ΕrΔ« MΔhΔprabhura Sambandhe Vitarka)
This article examines the doubts raised by certain caste-gosvΔmΔ«s regarding the validity of the gaura-mantra and addresses the necessity of fasting on the appearance day of ΕrΔ« Caitanya MahΔprabhu. Through careful analysis of these contentious theological points, Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura defends the integrity of both the mantra and the observance against sectarian objections. First published in Sajjana ToαΉ£aαΉΔ«, Vol. 4, Issue 1, 1892.
Dainya (Humility)
Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura stresses the need for humility in nΔma-sΔdhana, the practice of chanting the Holy Name. Through examination of this essential spiritual quality, the article explores how genuine humility forms the foundation for sincere devotional practice and transformation through the recitation of the Divine Name. First published in Bengali as Dainya (Humility).
VaiαΉ£αΉava NindΔ (Offences to Devotees)
Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura describes the different categories of jΔ«vas and VaiαΉ£αΉavas and explains the dangers of committing offences to them. First published in VaiαΉ£αΉava NindΔ (Offences to Devotees).
To Love God
This article presents bhakti (love) as the religion of the soul, drawing upon Christ Jesusβ teaching: βLove God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and love man as thy brother.β Through this exploration, Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura articulates the essential nature of devotion and its role in spiritual life. First published in 1871.
The Bhagavat – Its Philosophy Its Ethics and Its Theology
This work explains the flaws of orthodox Hinduism and analyses the philosophy of the newly formed Brahmo SamΔj. The text addresses the fundamental principles of ΕrΔ«mad BhΔgavata philosophy, its ethical teachings, and its theological foundations. First delivered as an English lecture in Dinajpur in 1869.
Bhagavad-gΔ«tΔ DaΕa MΕ«la
Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkuraβs βThe Bhagavad-gΔ«tΔ DaΕa MΕ«laβ presents a systematic exposition of the ten root points of GauαΈΔ«ya siddhΔnta (philosophy) as established in the Bhagavad-gΔ«tΔ. The work elucidates the foundational theological principles of this school of VaiαΉ£αΉava thought through careful analysis of the sacred text.
The Temple of Jagannath at Puri
This essay examines the history of the establishment of the great temple in PurΔ«, Orissa, whilst also addressing the hypocrisy of temple priests in contrast to sincere devotional worship in pure love of God. The piece presents a critical analysis of institutional religious practice and the corruption of priestly authority, emphasising the importance of authentic bhakti over ritualistic formalism. First published as βThe Temple of Jagannath at Puriβ in 1871.
The Marriage System of Bengal
The αΉ¬hΔkura explains Hindu marriage customs and their deplorable forms through historical outlines of various types of traditional marriages. He expresses sympathy for the women subjected to the inhumane marital practices of certain groups in Bengal, offering a critical analysis of these social conditions. First published as an English article in 1871.
The Attibaris of Orissa
Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura exposes the activities of a popular sect of so-called VaiαΉ£αΉavas in Orissa, analysing their practices and demonstrating their deviation from authentic VaiαΉ£αΉava teachings. Through careful examination of this group, the αΉ¬hΔkura illuminates the distinction between genuine spiritual practice and sectarian distortion. First published as a long letter in English to the editors of Progress newspaper in 1871.
ΔmnΔya DaΕa MΕ«la
This article presents the ten principal philosophical truths of GauαΈΔ«ya VaiαΉ£αΉava siddhΔnta as found in the Vedic UpaniαΉ£ads, the Bhagavad-gΔ«ta, the ΕrΔ«mad BhΔgavatam, and the Caitanya-caritΔmαΉta. Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura provides his own translation of each verse and incorporates his commentary directly into the text. The αΉ¬hΔkura explores this topic in greater depth in other works such as VaiαΉ£αΉava-siddhΔnta-mΔlΔ, ΕrΔ«man MahΔprabhura ΕikαΉ£a, and Jaiva-dharma. This piece was the first of four short articles, probably written in the 1890s.
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« – Fifth Desire Tree
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« is a collection of Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura's articles describing his NΔma HaαΉαΉa (marketplace of the Holy Name) preaching programme. (1891)
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« – Fourth Desire Tree
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« is a collection of Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura's articles describing his NΔma HaαΉαΉa (marketplace of the Holy Name) preaching programme. (1891)
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« – Third Desire Tree
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« is a collection of Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura's articles describing his NΔma HaαΉαΉa (marketplace of the Holy Name) preaching programme. (1891)
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« – Second Desire Tree
ΕrΔ« Godruma KalpΔαΉavΔ« is a collection of Bhaktivinoda αΉ¬hΔkura's articles describing his NΔma HaαΉαΉa (marketplace of the Holy Name) preaching programme. (1891)