Topic: Book Review

Articles on the topic of Book Review by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Impersonal Spirituality and Transcendental Spirituality (Ādhyātmika u Aprākṛta)

Ādhyātmika u Aprākṛta (Impersonal Spirituality and Transcendental Spirituality) was originally published as ‘samālocanā (A Book Review) in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 8 issue 7 in 1896. Herein, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a small book that tries to give rational explanations for Kṛṣṇa’s aprākṛta-līlā.

A Critique of ‘Śrī Gīta Govinda’ (Samālocana – Śrī Gīta Govinda)

Samālocana – Śrī Gīta Govinda (A Critique of 'Śrī Gīta Govinda') was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol.7. issue 2 in 1895. In this book review, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura applauds the work of two translators who have rendered the Gīta Govinda into Bengali, presents a synopsis of the life of Jayadeva Gosvāmī, and also gives a warning to those who are bereft of vraja-rasa.

A Critique of the Book Rasa Śaivalinī Gītā (Samālocana – Rasa Śaivalinī Gītā)

Samālocana – Rasa Śaivalinī Gītā (A Critique of the Book Rasa Śaivalinī Gītā) was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.10 Issue 6 in 1898. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a book by Pañcānana Gosvāmī Padaratna, and warns how some so-called ‘sādhus’ misuse works such as Ujjvala Nīlamaṇi in order to engage in nefarious activities.

A Critique – ‘Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva and Prema Dharma’ (Samālocana – Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva o Prema Dharma)


‘Samālocana – Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva o Prema Dharma (A Critique - 'Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva and Prema Dharma') was published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.6, Issue 8 in 1894. In this review of a book by Candra-vinoda Pāla Chaudhuri, Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda commends the author on his modern style of writing and explains the concept of sāragrāhi (the essence-seeker).

Bhakti Caitanya Candrikā

‘Bhakti Caitanya Candrikā’ was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.1 in 1881. This is a review of a book called Bhakti Caitanya Candrikā by Chiranjeev Sharma. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura points out the glaring defects of the author in presenting the life and teachings of Śrī Caitanya while adulterating them with impersonal philosophy.

A Review of Nitya-rupa-sangsthapanam – A Sanscrit Work

Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda composed this book review "A Review of Nitya-rupa-sangsthapanam – A Sanscrit Work" in English for publication in a European journal 1883. He came across a book written by one Upendra Mohana Gosvāmī entitled "Nitya-rūpa-saṁsthāpanam" (Establishing God's Eternal Form), and liked the way it presented the facts about the Lord's existence in a logical, straightforward way. His purpose in writing this review was to interest educated Western readers.

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