This article is being presented in honor of the divine appearance day of the original pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement, His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Sept. 27 (U.S.)/ Sept. 28 (India), 2023.
namo bhaktivinodaya sac-cid-ananda-namine
gaura-shakti-svarupaya rupanuga-varaya te
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa.
Bhaktivinoda Thakur wrote:
“Alas! When will that day come when all greatly fortunate souls in countries such as England, France, Russia, Prussia and America will take up banners, kettle drums, mrdangas and karatalas and thus cause the ecstatic waves of Hari Nama Kirtan and the singing of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s holy name to rise in the streets of their towns and cities? O when will that day come, when pure and transcendental Krishna prema (love of God) will be the only religion of all souls and all tiny sectarian religions will meet in the unlimited and universal religion of devotional service to Krishna, as rivers merge into the great ocean? O when will that day come?”
Sajjana-tosani
This was the heart’s desire of the Thakur, the spreading of the chant of the Holy Names and pure Krishna prema all over the world in fulfillment of Lord Caitanya’s prophecy:
pṛthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.”
As an empowered Vaishnava acharya, his life was full of deep sadhana and bhajana, preaching activities through various programs, writing of devotional books, songs and poetry, and teaching actively to the public, all while maintaining a household and working as a Government Magistrate. His life is a perfect example of a householder fully infused with devotional service.
Amongst his innumerable accomplishments was the discovery of the janmasthan (birthplace) of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Nabadvipa and the building of a magnificent temple at this Yogapitha. His vision of preaching worldwide inspired him to write, Caitanya Mahaprabhu – His Life and Precepts, copies of which he personally sent to several Institutions throughout the world.
Because of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s being the pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement and the force behind its progression into the modern world, Srila Prabhupada took it as his great service to him to build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridhama Mayapur as the fulfillment of the Thakura’s vision. So important was this to Srila Prabhupada that he said to Giriraja Swami, “If you all build this temple, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura will personally come and take you all back to Godhead.”
On this most auspicious occasion we request devotees to consider intensifying their dedication and desire to see the completion of the TOVP for the divine pleasure of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and Srila Prabhupada. In particular, the Nrsimhadeva Wing is scheduled to open during the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival during a 3-day celebration from February 29 – March 2, and you can help complete the largest Nrsimha Temple in the world by going to the Give To Nrsimha Campaign page on the TOVP website. There are many options to participate and get recognized by Bhaktivinoda Thakur for your service.
To read more about the life and accomplishments of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur click the link below to an article by His Grace Sri Nandanandana Das (ACBSP).
https://www.stephen-knapp.com/srila_bhaktivinoda_thakura.htm
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