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.
The Akhras in Puri
This rare English essay, 'The Akhras in Puri' was written in 1871 by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura when he was the Deputy Magistrate in Puri. The Ṭhākura lists the main 'akhras' (ākhaḍas) or monasteries in Puri and then proceeds to describe the general activities in the akhras and how they could be improved. The original English spelling has been retained in this article for posterity. The Bhaktivinoda Institute would like to extend its thanks to H.G. Sundara Gopala Prabhu and the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) in Kolkata for sending this important article to us.
A Collection of Jewel-like Verses (Padaratnāvalī)
In this article, Pada-ratnāvalī, first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.2, Issue 9) in 1885, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a book on Vaiṣṇava songs edited by the famous Rabindranath Tagore. Although Bhaktivinoda appreciates and encourages the endeavours of Rabindranath, he also points out some philosophical errors, especially in relation to comparing Śrī Caitanya with the French philosopher, Auguste Comte.
A Grand Festival in Śrī Māyāpura (Śrī Śrī Māyāpura Mahā-mahotsava)
This article was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.6, Issue 1) in 1894. Herein, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura gives a report of the first Gaura Pūrṇimā festival held in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura and compares it to the first Gaura Pūrṇimā festival in Kheturi, organised by Ṭhākura Narottama Dāsa.
Samālocana (A Review of Three Books)
In this book review from Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol. 6 Issue 4 published in 1894, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura critiques three books – one on Śrīla Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī, one on present day Vaiṣṇavism, and one on the Vaiṣṇava poet Cāṇḍīdāsa. As always, the Ṭhākura is very analytical in his appraisal and in most cases, provides a very balanced point of view.
A Simple Verse Translation of Śrī Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā
In this book review, first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.12, Issue 11 in 1901, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura evaluates a poetic rendition of the Bhagavad-gītā in Bengali. He gives a short summary of the Gītā’s contents, and gives his opinion of the author’s attempts.
Pañca Saṁskāra (The Five Purificatory Processes) – 2
Pañca Saṁskāra (The Five Purificatory Processes) was published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.4, Issue 1 in 1892. This was the second article written by Bhaktivinoda on this subject (the first being in Sajjjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 2, Issue 1). This shorter article gives more details on the meaning of pañca-saṁskāra. One specific point that differs with the previous article is how the Ṭhākura defines the third process of pañca-saṁskāra, namely nāma.
Śrī Daśa-Mūla (The Ten Foundational Principles)
The Daśa-Mūla is an important contribution of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura to the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava sampradāya. These ten foundational principles give a summary of the teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as found in Sri Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Below is a short explanation and history of the Daśa-Mūla followed by the Sanskrit verses originally composed by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura delineating each of the ten topics.
The Lord’s Appearance Festival (Avirbhāvotsava)
Avirbhāvotsava (‘The Lord's Appearance Festival’) was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.4, Issue 12 in 1893. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura gives a report describing the annual Gaura Pūrṇimā festival in Māyāpura, and how Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Bābājī suggested the Deity configuration at Śrī Yogapīṭha and Śrīvāsāṅgana.
The Inclination to Engage in Pāpa on the Strength of the Name (Nāma Bale Pāpe Pravṛtti)
The Inclination to Engage in Pāpa on the Strength of the Name (Nāma Bale Pāpe Pravṛtti) was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 8, Issue 9 in 1896. Herein, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura gives a clear definition of pāpa (sin) and why sometimes the inclination for pāpa remains in a devotee. He also discusses pāpa in relation to nāma-aparādha.
Śrī Śrī Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī Prabhu, Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa Dāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī Prabhu and Śrī Śrīnivāsa Ācārya Prabhu
'Śrī Śrī Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī Prabhu, Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa Dāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī Prabhu and Śrī Śrīnivāsa Ācārya Prabhu' was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.2 issues 10 and 11 in 1885. Herein, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura gives a short biography of each of these famous Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ācāryas.
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. 
