Articles by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
Discover the profound wisdom of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, through our vast collection of his written articles that explore various aspects of Gauḍiya Vaiṣṇavism. Gain valuable insights into the path of bhakti-yoga as you delve into the teachings of this celebrated vaiṣṇava luminary. Our user-friendly interface makes it easy to access and explore the works of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura by topic.
Articles by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
Discover the profound wisdom of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, through our vast collection of his written articles that explore various aspects of Gauḍiya Vaiṣṇavism. Gain valuable insights into the path of bhakti-yoga as you delve into the teachings of this celebrated vaiṣṇava luminary. Our user-friendly interface makes it easy to access and explore the works of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura by topic.
Worldly Activities and Renunciation (Pravṛtti o Nivṛtti)
In this article, published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.1) in 1881, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda gives an in-depth analysis of the paths of pravrtti (worldly activities) and nivṛtti (renunciation). He explains that while pravṛtti yields material pleasures, true, eternal happiness comes from transcending material nature through nivṛtti. He emphasises practicing compassionate bhakti, with faith and defines what real 'saṅga' means.
The Vaiṣṇavism of Ancient Āryan Women (Pracina Ārya Mahilādiger Vaiṣṇavatā)
This article, ‘The Vaiṣṇavism of Ancient Āryan Women,’ was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Volume 2, Issue 9, in 1885. In it, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura narrates the account of Śaṅkarācārya’s mother, who, as she lay on her deathbed, expressed her longing to attain Vaikuṇṭha.
Human Society & Vaiṣṇava Dharma (Third Essay)
In this third and final essay in the series ‘Human Society and Vaiṣṇava Dharma,’ published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.2, Issue 9) in 1885, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura classifies Vaiṣṇavas into three categories, insisting that each must act strictly according to their proper qualification, warning that deviations – especially improper renunciation and livelihood practices – lead to spiritual and social fall-down.
Human Society & Vaiṣṇava Dharma (Second Essay)
This article, 'Human Society & Vaiṣṇava Dharma' (Manuṣya Samāja o Vaiṣṇava Dharma) from Sajjana Toṣaṇī, (Vol.2, Issue 8) is a follow-up article to ‘Human Relations and Vaiṣṇava Dharma’. Herein, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura looks at the Caste Vaiṣṇavas (Vaiṣṇava Jātis) – a community of outcastes prevalent in Bengal and Odisha, and discusses how they can be integrated into a Vaiṣṇava society that adheres to varṇāśrama-dharma.
Human Relations and Vaiṣṇava Dharma (First Essay)
In this article, Manuṣya Sambandha o Vaiṣṇava Dharma (‘Human Relations and Vaiṣṇava Dharma – Part One’), first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.2, Issue 7) in 1885, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura discusses the importance of societies, how varṇāśrama should be reformed and why it is difficult to implement in today’s world, and the position of Kalki-avatāra in this Kali-yuga.
Religion and Science (Dharma o Vijñāna)
The following article, 'Religion and Science' was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.7, Issues 4-5) in 1895. Herein, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura discusses the position of religion and science, the defects of modern science and Evolution, the Christian concept of the soul, and how Naturalism, Progressivism, and Evolution ultimately arise from a demonic disposition.
The Superiority of Vedic Āryan Dharma (Vaidika Ārya-dharmera Śreṣṭhatā)
‘The Superiority of Vedic Āryan Dharma’ was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.2, Issues 2 & 3) in 1885. Herein, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes the five types of religion found in the world and demonstrates how the Vedic religion of the Āryan people surpasses all kinds of dharma.
Śrī Artha Pañcaka (Five Essential Principles)
This overview of Śrī Pillai Lokācārya’s ‘Artha Pañcaka’ (Five Essential Principles) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was first published In Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.7, Issue 3 in 1895. Composed in the 13th century, this concise work on Śrī Vaiṣṇava siddhānta outlines five key philosophical principles that a jīva must grasp in order to progress in their spiritual journey.
Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Ānanda Bazaar Patrikā and Prema Gāthā – A Review
In this review from Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol. 11 Issue 5 published in 1899, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura critiques a new newspaper which mixes topics concerning Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism along with mundane current events, and also a book of devotional poetry.
What Should be the True Aim of Education?
This extremely rare and early English article of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was published in the newspaper, 'The Hindu Intelligencer,' on 19th January 1857. In his autobiographical letter, the Ṭhākura narrates that in his youth, he wrote some articles for The Hindu Intelligencer. This particular essay was read by him at the debating club at Hogalkuria in West Bengal when he was merely 19 years old. Although the theme of this short article is not spiritual, it is nonetheless interesting to observe how Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was concerned about the welfare of his fellow countrymen.
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. 
