Topic: History

Articles on the topic of History by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Aśirvācana (Blessings)

Aśirvācana (Blessings) was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol. 2, issue 5 in 1885. In this article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura laments the fact that there is animosity between the Indians and the British, and writes about the common factors they both share. He compares the two communities to an elder brother and a younger brother, and hopes that they can cultivate mutual respect for each other.

The Dharma of Charity and Padre Dall Saheb (Dāna Dharma u Pādrī Dāl Saheb)

In this article, Dāna Dharma u Pādrī Dāl Saheb (The Dharma of Charity and Padre Dall Saheb), from Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.1, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura discusses a speech made by Charles Henry Appleton Dall (1816–1886) on the subject of charity in India, and he explains how Dall’s statements are ‘unscientific’ and mistaken. Dall was the first American Unitarian missionary in Calcutta and stayed in India for 31 years until he passed away. He was well-known to Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura who was, for a while, part of his church congregation. Bhaktivinoda met daily with Dall and they had many discussions on religion and philosophy together. Under the direction of Dall, Bhaktivinoda studied the Bible and Unitarian works. Dall had hoped to convert the young Bhaktivinoda to Christianity, but their talks on theology eventually gave more of an impetus to Bhaktivinoda to study the path of bhakti.

The Worldly Difficulties of a Vaiṣṇava (Vaiṣṇavera Vyavahāra Duḥkha)

This short article, Vaiṣṇavera Vyavahāra Duḥkha (The Worldly Difficulties of a Vaiṣṇava) was published in the 10th Volume, 2nd Issue of Sajjana Toṣaṇī in 1898. Herein, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains the difference between the difficulties encountered by a Vaiṣṇava and those of a non-Vaiṣṇava. Towards the end of the article he speaks about the Bubonic Plague which broke out at the end of 1897 and was still a huge threat in Kolkata at the time of writing.

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