A Review of Śrī Laghu-Bhāgavatāmṛta
In this review of Laghu-Bhāgavatāmṛta, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura praises both the exceptional printing and scholarship of the edition, especially its inclusion of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī’s original text, Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa’s commentary, and a Bengali translation. He summarises the book’s central theological conclusions – that Kṛṣṇa is the original source of all avatāras, and that the vraja-gopīs, especially Rādhārāṇī, embody the highest form of bhakti. This review was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol 11, Issue 3 in 1899.
Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Ānanda Bazaar Patrikā and Prema Gāthā – A Review
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura critiques a new newspaper which mixes topics concerning Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism along with mundane current events, and also reviews a book of devotional poetry. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 11, Issue 5, 1899.
A Collection of Jewel-like Verses (Padaratnāvalī)
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a book on Vaiṣṇava songs edited by the renowned Rabindranath Tagore. Although Bhaktivinoda appreciates and encourages Rabindranath’s endeavours, he identifies certain philosophical errors within the work, particularly regarding the comparison of Śrī Caitanya with the French philosopher Auguste Comte. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 2, Issue 9, 1885.
Samālocana (A Review of Three Books)
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura presents a critical appraisal of three works: a study of Śrīla Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī, an examination of contemporary Vaiṣṇavism, and an analysis of the Vaiṣṇava poet Cāṇḍīdāsa. Throughout this review, the Ṭhākura demonstrates his characteristic analytical approach, offering a balanced and nuanced perspective on each text under consideration. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 6, Issue 4, 1894.
Siddhānta-Ratna – Written by Śrīyukta Upendra-mohana Gosvāmī of Khaḍadara
In this book review, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura praises the author of a new philosophical work, yet expresses concern that the style of his language renders it inaccessible to most readers. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 1, 1881.
Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a new edition of Śrī Caitanya Bhāgavata by Atula Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī. While the Ṭhākura expresses satisfaction with most aspects of the publication, he also identifies and discusses several defects in the work. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 13, Issue 1, 1901.
Prabodhānanda and Prakāśānanda
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a book which claims that the Vaiṣṇava ācārya Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī and the māyāvādī Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī are one and the same person. Through careful analysis, he refutes this confused assertion and clarifies the distinct identities and philosophical positions of these two figures. The article demonstrates the importance of historical accuracy in understanding the lineage and teachings of Vaiṣṇavism. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 13, Issue 1, 1901 under the title ‘Samālocana’.
‘Śrī Muralī Vilāsa’
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda examines the text Muralī Vilāsa by Śrī Rāja-vallabha Gosvāmī, a descendant of Śrīla Vaṁśīvadanānanda Ṭhākura, and elucidates the concept of kalpa-bheda in reconciling chronological inconsistencies within the ācārya’s writings. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 6, Issue 4, 1894.
Vaiṣṇava Granthāvalī
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a book that includes three texts by the bāulas and sahajiyās, offering his scholarly assessment of these traditions. The Ṭhākura provides critical commentary on the doctrines and practices presented in these esoteric texts. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 10, Issue 12, 1899.
Samālocana (A Critique)
In this article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews eight new publications, including the Caitanya-candrāmṛta, Gaura-gaṇoddeśa Dīpikā, and Vāṁśī Śikṣā. The critique examines these significant works within the Vaiṣṇava scholarly tradition. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 5, Issue 1, 1893.
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