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.
Prabodhānanda and Prakāśānanda
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a book which claims that the Vaiṣṇava ācārya Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī and the māyāvādī Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī are one and the same person. Through careful analysis, he refutes this confused assertion and clarifies the distinct identities and philosophical positions of these two figures. The article demonstrates the importance of historical accuracy in understanding the lineage and teachings of Vaiṣṇavism. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 13, Issue 1, 1901 under the title ‘Samālocana’.
The Glory of Ārya Dharma Within Pure Sampradāyas (Viśuddha Sāmpradāyikatāī Ārya Dharmera Gaurava)
In this article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains how sectarianism and the sampradāya concept of the Vedas are not the same thing. He also discusses the dangers of mixing various ideologies with hari-bhakti. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 3, Issue 3, 1886.
‘Śrī Muralī Vilāsa’
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda examines the text Muralī Vilāsa by Śrī Rāja-vallabha Gosvāmī, a descendant of Śrīla Vaṁśīvadanānanda Ṭhākura, and elucidates the concept of kalpa-bheda in reconciling chronological inconsistencies within the ācārya’s writings. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 6, Issue 4, 1894.
Vaiṣṇava Granthāvalī
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews a book that includes three texts by the bāulas and sahajiyās, offering his scholarly assessment of these traditions. The Ṭhākura provides critical commentary on the doctrines and practices presented in these esoteric texts. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 10, Issue 12, 1899.
Samālocana (A Critique)
In this article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura reviews eight new publications, including the Caitanya-candrāmṛta, Gaura-gaṇoddeśa Dīpikā, and Vāṁśī Śikṣā. The critique examines these significant works within the Vaiṣṇava scholarly tradition. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 5, Issue 1, 1893.
Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa
In this short article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura shares news with his readers concerning the renovation of Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa in Vraja-maṇḍala. The piece informs the Vaiṣṇava community of developments at these sacred sites and highlights their significance within the broader context of pilgrimage and worship in the holy land of Vraja. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 7, Issue 11, 1895.
The Association of Sādhus (Sādhu-jana-saṅga)
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes the different categories of humans and explains how everyone requires sādhu-saṅga in order to advance in their spiritual lives. The article analyses the essential nature of association with sādhus and its transformative role in spiritual development across all levels of human experience. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 10, Issue 4, 1898.
Epilogue to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Karṇāmṛta
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura provides a brief synopsis of rāgānugā-bhakti and lists various ślokas within Kṛṣṇa Karṇāṁrta that describe certain characteristics of rāgānugā-bhakti sādhana. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 10, Issue 5, 1898.
Preface to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Karṇāmṛta
In this preface, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains the importance of Kṛṣṇa Karṇāmṛta to Śrī Caitanya and how Śrī Bilvamangala Ṭhākura’s life reflects the lives of the jīvas in this world. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 1898.
Puratana Gañja of Śrīdhāma Navadvīpa (Śridhāma Navadvīpera Puratana Gañja)
Continuing from the previous two articles about the location of Kuliyā in Navadvīpa, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura turns his attention to the location of the real Śrīvāsa-aṅgana. First published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol. 7, Issue 4, 1895.
Support the Bhaktivinoda Institute