Please accept this title

Bhaktivinoda Thakur
(1838 - 1914)
*****

The Goswamis residing in the holy site of Baghna Para mercifully bestow the title of Bhaktivinoda on the devotee and disciple Kedarnath Datta.

1. May you, our pious disciple Kedarnath Datta, who desire nothing but the lotus feet of Govinda, be ever glorious.

2. You faithfully follow the doctrines taught by our Master, Chaitanya Chandra, and you actively preach the scriptures that establish the path of devotional service.

3. Seeing your unequalled devotion for Radha and Krishna, O you who are dear to the Vaishnavas, what person in this world would not be enchanted?

4. The kind of devotion that the Lord’s dearest associates ever desire to attain is held in your heart, so you are most fortunate, O beloved servant.

5. The supreme and only benefit for the living beings is devotion to Krishna. Therefore, please accept this title of Bhaktivinoda.

The Goswamis of Baghnapara joyfully gave this honor to him in the month of Magh in the 400th year after the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Signed: Sri Bipin Bihari Goswami, Sri Tinkori Goswami, Sri Gopal Chandra Goswami, Sri Gaurachandra Goswami, Sri Ramachandra Goswami, Sri Yajneshwar Goswami, Sri Yadunath Goswami, Sri Binod Bihari Goswami, Sri Yogendra Chandra Goswami, Sri Hemachandra Goswami, Sri Chandra Bhushan Goswami, Sri Kanailal Goswami, Sri Haradhan Goswami.
-------------------------------------------------------
The many books that Kedar has written on the subject of bhakti are proof of his vast learning in the subject. After much research into the matter, he discovered the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Nabadwip Mayapur. Genuine devotees always sing his glories and only the false renouncers and cheaters criticize him. Because he is my disciple, I shall not go on and on, but have only told the essential so that everyone knows [of our relationship]. I bless him that he, his wife, children and grandchildren will all have long life and conduct their affairs for the pleasure of Krishna. May he and his wife always be engaged in the service of Krishan’s lotus feet. - BBG

The following is Bhaktivinoda’s note on the title from "Sva-likhita-jivani" (p. 176-177):

I forgot to write one thing. When the leaders of my spiritual master’s family saw the work I was doing publishing Vaishnava literature, they were pleased and gave me the title Bhaktivinoda. Here is a copy of the certificate they gave me on that occasion. (See above)

I responded to this honor and dedicated the following verses to the Goswamis of my Guru Pat.

1. I offer salutations to Sri Krishna Chaitanya Chandra. May Balaram and Krishna, the jewels of Baghna Para, the beloved deities of Jahnavi Devi and the bringers of fame to Sri Ramachandra Goswami, be ever glorious.

2. I worship the village of Baghna Para, which purifies the land of Gauda. Its spiritual power is so great that it turned even a tiger into a devotee of Krishna.

3. I also worship all the descendants of Sri Vamsivadananda Thakur, my masters and instructors in the spiritual path.

4. Through just a small fragment of their blessings, the identification of this servant with his body has disappeared and henceforth he shall be known as Bhaktivinoda.

5. By their mercy, I have been graced with this title and so I prostrate myself at their lotus feet.

Signed at Sri Rampur by Kedarnath Datta, now entitled Bhaktivinoda, the eternal servant of the descendants of Ramchandra Goswami and all the Vaishnavas.

uddharila Apana kinkara

"Krishna, known as Bipin Bihari, made his energy descend into this world as Bipin Bihari Goswami, my lord. Seeing me, his humble servant, in the dark well of worldly existence, he took the form of my spiritual master and delivered me." (Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, p. 1687)

6. I offer respectful obeisance to Sri Bilvamangala Thakur, the recipient of Lord Krishna Chaitanya’s mercy. Meditating on the holy feet of my guru Sri Bipina Bihari and Lord Hari, I am writing this Bengali translation and explanation of the Krishna Karnamritam.

7. "My exalted spiritual master, Vipina-vihari Prabhu, is the brilliant moon in the family of Sri Vamsi Vadanananda."
------------------------------------------------------

Many years later Bhaktivinode Thakur went on pilgrimage to Vrindavana (1881) at which time he met Jagannatha Dasa Babaji. The Thakur received many spiritual instructions from Babaji Maharaja and the Thakur accepted him as his instructing spiritual master (siksa-guru). Bhaktivinode referred to Jagannatha Dasa Babaji as vaisnava-sarvabhaumah, the most revered and worshipable Vaishnava.
-------------------------------------------------------
Below is a short list of Sriman Bhaktivinode Thakur's writing:

Sri Sri Kalyan Kalpa-taru
Sri Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga
To Love God
Sharagrahi Vaishnava
The Bhagavata
Baul Sangit
Sri Tattva-sutra
Navadvipa Bhava Taranga
Saranagati
Sri Sri Godruma Candrer Ajna
Sri Sri Sva-niyama-dasakam
Life and Precepts of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life
The Glories of Sri Purusottama Month
Ajna Tahal - “Patrolling on the Lord's Command"
Sri Harinama Cintamani
Sri Sri Gitamala
Pratistha Parivarjana
Sri Dasamula-Niryas
Sri Tattva-viveka
Apasampradayer Svarupa
From Moses to Mahaprabhu
Pancha Samskara: The Process of Initiation
Sri Navadvipa Mahatmya
Sadhana
A Deliberation on the Methodology of Sadhu-sanga