Topic: Sajjana Toṣaṇī

Articles originally published in Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Sajjana Toshani magazine.

Conceiving of Caste Distinctions in Vaiṣṇavas (Vaiṣṇave Jāti-buddhi)

Vaiṣṇave Jāti-buddhi (Conceiving of Caste Distinctions in Vaiṣṇavas) was first published in 1897 in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol 9, Issue 1. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura warns his readers of the dangers of meditating upon the caste or birth of a Vaiṣṇava, explaining how high birth in a Vaiṣṇava family does not guarantee purity, and the low birth of a Vaiṣṇava should not be considered.

Jīvera Dayā (Mercy to the Living Entities)

Jīvera Dayā (Mercy to the Living Entities) was published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 4. Issue 8 in 1893. In this important article, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains the absolute necessity for a Vaiṣṇava to cultivate compassion for other living beings and states that this is one of the most important qualities of a devotee.

Service to the Vaiṣṇavas and the Practice of Festivals at Present (Vaiṣṇava Sevā u Pracalita Mahotsava Prathā)

Vaiṣṇava Sevā u Pracalita Mahotsava Prathā (Service to the Vaiṣṇavas and the Practice of Festivals at Present) was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol 4. Issue 5. Herein, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes the three types of Vaiṣṇavas according to Caitanya-caritāmṛta and what is actual Vaiṣṇava sevā.

Bāula-matera Vicāra 
(A Discussion on the Beliefs of the Bāulas)

Bāula-matera Vicāra (A Discussion on the Beliefs of the Bāulas) was published in 1892 in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 4 Issue 4. A reader had sent five queries in regards to the ideology of the Bāulas (a popular sect of pseudo-Vaiṣṇavas in Bengal) and Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura replied to these questions in brief. A year later, in 1893, the Ṭhākura wrote his famous Bāula Saṅgīta, a series of 12 songs exposing the debauchery and philosophical deviations of the Bāulas.

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.

Viṣaya u Vairāgya (Sense enjoyment and Renunciation)

In this article, Viṣaya u Vairāgya (Sense enjoyment and Renunciation), first published in the 4th Volume of Sajjana Toṣaṇī in 1892, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes the gradual development of renunciation within one who lives in this world. He gives the example of Śrīla Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī, and also warns against immature renunciation.

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