Original Unabridged Translations
Articles by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
Original articles by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, translated from Bengali — the most comprehensive collection of his written works available anywhere on the internet.
A Critique – ‘Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva and Prema Dharma’ (Samālocana – Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva o Prema Dharma)
In this critique of Candra-vinoda Pāla Chaudhuri’s book on Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva and prema-dharma, Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda commends the author for his modern style of writing and elucidates the concept of sāragrāhi (the essence-seeker). Through his analysis, Bhaktivinoda explores how contemporary approaches to presenting Vaiṣṇava philosophy can effectively communicate spiritual truths to modern readers. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 6, Issue 8, 1894.
Śrī Śyāmānanda Gosvāmī
Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda presents a brief biography of Śyāmānanda Gosvāmī and calls upon the devotee community to provide support so that Sajjana Toṣaṇī magazine may continue to publish the glories of great Vaiṣṇava personalities. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 2, Issue 6, 1885.
Kali
In this article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura presents a detailed explanation of the four major vices of Kali-yuga and examines why they constitute impediments to pure bhakti. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 15, Issue 1, 1903.
Eating Fish and Meat (Matsya-Māṁsa Bhojana)
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains why the young people of Bengal are taking to meat-eating and describes the three types of food in Vedic culture. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 2, Issue 8, 1885.
Śrī Parameśvarī Dāsa
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura presents a brief biography of Nityānanda Prabhu’s associate, Śrī Parameśvarī Dāsa Ṭhākura, examining his life and spiritual significance within the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 2, Issue 4, 1885.
An Assembly to Preserve the Bhakti Śāstra (Bhakti-śāstroddhāriṇī Sabhā)
In this short article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura laments that the Royal Asiatic Society has not printed any respectable versions of the Bhakti Śāstra and suggests that a new assembly be created for that purpose. The work advocates for the preservation and proper publication of foundational Vaiṣṇava philosophical texts through a dedicated institutional effort.
First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 1, 1881.
Opposition to the Conclusions of Bhakti and Incompatible Rasa (Bhakti-siddhānta-viruddha o Rasābhāsa)
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura examines the various styles of rasa-kīrtana that originated with Śrīnivāsa Ācārya, Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura and Śyāmānanda Prabhu. He also discusses the so-called ‘rasa-kīrtana’ performed by professional kīrtaneers, analysing these practices in relation to authentic bhakti conclusions and the principles of compatible rasa. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 6, Issue 2.
Recognising a Pure Vaiṣṇava (Śuddha Vaiṣṇava Paricaya)
In this article, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura deliberates upon pure Vaiṣṇava dharma in order to explain some of the characteristics of a pure devotee. He also discusses the various cults that arose after Mahāprabhu's disappearance that claim to be Vaiṣṇavas, and how they may be distinguished from genuine practitioners. Through this analysis, the author clarifies what constitutes authentic Vaiṣṇava practice and devotion. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 1, 1881.
Bhakti Caitanya Candrikā
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura presents a critical review of Chiranjeev Sharma’s work *Bhakti Caitanya Candrikā*, identifying significant defects in the author’s presentation of the life and teachings of Śrī Caitanya. Ṭhākura emphasises how the text adulterates these teachings with impersonal philosophy, thereby distorting their authentic spiritual meaning. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 1, 1881.
Śrī Jāhnavā Devī
In this article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura presents a brief biography of Jāhnavā Devī, the consort of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 2, Issue 4, 1885.
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