The 'Sri Caitanya-siksamrta' of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Posted Nov. 24, 2004

Dear Devotees,

We are pleased to announce the publication of the Sri Caitanya-siksamrta of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, translated by H.H. Bhanu Swami.

In London, September 23, 1969, on the appearance-day celebration of Srila Bhaktivinoda, Srila Prabhupada gave a lecture on the life and teachings of the Thakura. In the lecture, Srila Prabhupada spoke as follows:

"So Bhaktivinoda Thakura happens to be an acarya, one of the acaryas. And he has left behind him many books—Caitanya-siksamrta, Jaiva-dharma. These are very important books. They're in Bengali and Sanskrit. ... So we are trying to present Bhaktivinoda Thakura's books also in an English translation. Gradually you will get them."

The translator, H.H. Bhanu Swami, needs no introduction, having distinguished himself by his dedication to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada's desire to see all the works of our sampradaya presented to the English-speaking world. His present offering, the Sri Caitanya-siksamrta, is designated by Srila Prabhupada as a very important book. The learned reader can only agree.

The nectarean instructions of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu contained within the Sri Caitanya-siksamrta are of unparalleled importance to mankind in the present age of Kali-yuga. At the present time, throughout the world, human society in its search for peace, prosperity, and progress finds itself faced with daunting problems: hunger, disease, moral decay, and conflict. Disagreements, both individual and collective, very quickly become violent confrontations. Ideologues insistently propagate their speculations with the barrel of a gun as a replacement for sensibility and compassion. The general human society is finding itself increasingly disturbed and misguided.

In answer to such anxieties, Srila Bhaktivinoda has composed the Sri Caitanya-siksamrta. The first edition was published in 1886 and enjoyed immediate popularity in the learned community of the time. However, the eternal knowledge contained within was locked within the Bengali language. We are now most pleased to fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire and present this matchless gift to the world through the international language of English.

One who studies this book will find that the relevance of the book's teachings to the needs of mankind has only increased with the passage of time. In the Sri Caitanya-siksamrta, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura progressively presents teachings relevant to all sections of human society and clarifies how these teachings may be practically applied in the modern world.

The path of Krsna-bhakti is concisely illuminated, and a detailed exposition of Krsna-lila enthralls the devoted reader. Throughout the book, the various categories of philosophy are examined point for point, and then an explanation of how these philosophies find their ultimate fulfillment in devotion to Sri Krsna is expounded.

The knowledge contained within the book is of a timeless spiritual quality, distinct from the imperfect speculative philosophies thrown up from within the limited fluctuations of the material nature. Sri Caitanya-siksamrta contains the essence of Vedas and so directs all humanity to the unrestricted eternal world of the ecstatic pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna.

The book has been printed at the famous Thomson Press Delhi, who have done an excellent binding job of the highest standard. The 9-inch by 7-inch format gives a large area for the illustrations. In the Caitanya-siksamrta there are original paintings plus some rare ancient paintings and rare photographs. One of the paintings of Sri Caitanya in the Caitanya-siksamrta was commissioned in the time of Sri Caitanya by Maharaja Prataparudra himself and shows Sri Mahaprabhu with his intimate associates studying the Bhagavatam by Narendra Svarova.

The book uses a comfortable-size font on high-quality paper. The important Sanskrit terminology and all Sanskrit diacrtics are included throughout the text, elaborate introduction, and preface. The books have bookmark ribbons and full-color dust jackets over a gold-embossed hard cover.

This description is given so you may know the high quality of production.

To order, contact kesidamana.ACBSP@pamho.net

In our humble efforts to fulfil the desire of Srila Prabhupada and serve the Vaisnavas, we pray for your blessings.

Hare Krsna, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

our servant,
Kesidamana dasa.

© dipika.org Nov. 24, 2004