Overview
Sukhera Viṣaya (A Matter of Happiness) is a short article by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol.2, Issue 1. in 1885. Bhaktivinoda discusses how the city of Munger in Bihar has been a 'battlefield' of various religions and philosophies.
(translated by Swami B.V. Giri)
In the Baṅga-vāsī Patrikā of Jamua last year, we came to know that recently, a brāhmaṇa well-versed in the śāstra named Śrī Kīrtinātha Jhā from the city of Munger, was giving instructions on hari-bhakti to the people there. We are very happy to receive this news. Surprisingly, the area of Munger has been a battlefield of religious wars. Initially, in order to overcome the predominance of Muslim and Christian religions, a huge current of Brahmo dharma flowed there for some time. Later, moral Hindu dharma, which was trying to slow down the influence of Brahmo dharma, dominated Munger for some time. Śrī Kīrtinātha has emerged to establish that even moral Hindu dharma and dry yoga are useless. Kīrtinātha is giving these instructions to the people there. I hope that the all-merciful Bhagavān will manifest further mercy by sending a pure devotee teacher to Munger very soon, which will increase auspiciousness for the residents there.
If we consider the history of Munger, then we will also be familiar with the history of dharma throughout Bengal. Before the rise of pure bhakti, four types of impure dharma gradually became prevalent everywhere. The same was happening in the land of Bengal. Firstly, there was a stream of mlechha-dharma; secondly an outbreak of nirākāra–brahmavāda (the philosophy of formless Brahman); thirdly, the domination of the followers of naitika-īśvaravāda (moral theism); fourthly, a flood of adulterated dharma mixed with bhagavad–bhāva (attraction to Bhagavān), and finally the auspicious presence of paramānandamayī-bhakti (pure devotion, replete with supreme spiritual bliss). It is a matter of happiness that the arrival of the Goddess of śuddha-bhakti is delayed no longer.
(‘Sukhera Viṣaya – A Matter of Happiness’ by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 2, Issue 1 in 1885, was translated into English by Swami B.V. Giri)
More Articles by Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Prayāsa (Over endeavouring)
This article "Prayāsa (Over-endeavouring)" is the second of a series of articles published in the 10th Volume of Sajjana Toṣaṇī which deals with the six things that are favourable to bhakti and the six things that are unfavourable according to the second and third verses of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Upadeśāmṛta. This second article deals with Prayāsa – Over-endeavouring and how it can become a serious obstacle to the free flow of bhakti.
Siddhānta-Ratna – Written by Śrīyukta Upendra-mohana Gosvāmī of Khaḍadara
Siddhānta-Ratna – Praṇetā Śrīyukta Upendra-mohana Gosvāmī Nivāsa Khaḍadara (Siddhānta-Ratna – Written by Śrīyukta Upendra-mohana Gosvāmī of Khaḍadara) was published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.1 in 1881. In this book review, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura praises the author of a new book on philosophy, but bemoans the fact that the style of his language is unreadable to most people.
Genuine improvement within Brahmo Dharma (Brāhmo Dharma Prakṛta Unnati)
‘Brāhmo Dharma Prakṛta Unnati' (Genuine improvement within Brahmo Dharma) was first published by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol.2. issue 3 in 1885. In this article, the Ṭhākura rejoices in the news that the ācārya of the Brāhmos (a sect of impersonalists in Kolkata founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy) is favouring the concept of prema over jñāna.
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. 
