Bhaktivinode on Bipin Bihari
BY: MADHAVANANDA DAS
May 11, BHUBANESWAR, INDIA (SUN) — Several articles have been recently posted on Sampradaya Sun regarding the
relationship between Thakur Bhaktivinode and Bipin Bihari Goswami. However, no one so far has quoted Bhaktivinode Thakur himself on this subject. In a number of his publications, Thakur Bhaktivinode addresses Bipin Bihari as his guru and offers heartfelt prayers.
Here are Bhaktivinode's closing words to his "Amrta Pravaha Bhasya" commentary on "Caitanya-caritamrta" [For the verses in this article, I've used the scholarly system of transliteration known as Harvard Kyoto]:
bipina-bihArI hari tA'ra zakti avatAri
bipina bihArI prabhu-bara
zrI guru gosvAmI rUpe dekhi more bhavakUpe
uddharila Apana kiGkara
"The eminent Bipin Bihari Prabhu, who is the manifestation of the
transcendental energy of Lord Hari, Who sports in the forests of Vraja, has
descended in the form of the spiritual preceptor. Seeing me in the dark well
of worldly existence, he has delivered this humble servant of his."
In his concluding words to "Srimad-Bhagavatarka-marici-mala", Bhaktivinode
writes:
vipina-vihArI prabhu mama prabhu-vara
zrI-vaMsI-vadanAnanda-vaMza-zazadhara
"My exalted spiritual master, Vipina-vihari Prabhu, is the brilliant moon in
the family of Sri Vamsi Vadanananda."
In his autobiography known as "Svalikha Jivani", the Thakur describes how he
got the name Bhaktivinode:
"I forgot to mention one incident. Observing my writing books on devotional
service, and being pleased with me, Sripad Acharya Kula [Bipin Bihari
Goswami and others] gave me the title 'Bhaktivinoda." (Section 342)
Again in his autobiography, Bhaktivinode speaks about his acceptance of
initiation from Bipin Bihari:
"I had been searching for a suitable guru for a long time, but I did not
obtain one. I was very unhappy...I was feeling very anxious, and in a dream
Mahaprabhu diminished my unhappiness. In that dream I received a little
hint. That very day I became happy. One or two days later Gurudeva wrote a
letter to me saying, 'I will soon come and give you diksa. Gurudeva came and
diksha was given. My mind was satisfied. (Sections 299-300)
In several places Bhaktivinode also mentions Bipin Bihari Goswami and his
line on a more esoteric level. In his "Kalyana Kalpataru" (3.10)
Bhaktivinode prays for the association of Srimati Ananga Manjari in the
spiritual world. Ananga Manjari appeared as Jahnava Mata, the original
preceptor of the diksa parampara of which Bipin Bihari Goswami was a member.
In his "Gita Mala" (5.3.1 and 5.10.4) Bhaktivinode offers prays to Ananga
Manjari as well as Vilas Manjari. Bipin Bihari Goswami was part of the
Baghnapara Goswami's line coming from Jahnava Mata. According to their line,
Vilas Manjari is the identity of Bipin Bihari Goswami in the spiritual
world.
As the followers of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, we accept Srila
Jagannath Das Babaji as the siksa and prominent guru of Thakur Bhaktivinode.
However, it is only fair to note that no where in his writings does the
Thakur himself say this. The only written statements that we are aware of by
Thakur Bhaktivinode about Srila Jagannath Das Babaji appear in sections 373,
375, and 366-367 of his autobiography. Therein Bhaktivinode speaks of his
service to Jagannath Das and makes his reverence towards him very clear.
However, he never refers to him as guru.
The above quotations are offered as historical information for the pleasure
of the devotee community. They are not meant to suggest any kind of
conclusion.
Vaishnava kripa prarthi,
Madhavananda Das
ISKCON Bhubaneswar
SOURCES:
-- Bhaktivinode Thakur. "Gita Mala". English translation by Sri Dasarath
Suta Das. Published by Nectar Books. Union City Georgia, USA. 1991.
-- Bhaktivinode Thakur. "Kalyana Kalpataru". English translation by Sri
Dasarath Suta Das. Published by Nectar Books. Union City Georgia, USA. 1988.
-- Bhaktivinode Thakur. "Srimad Bhagavat-arka Maricimala". Published by Sri
Chaitanya Gaudiya Math. Mayapur. 2001. Bengali.
-- Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami. ”Sri Caitanya-caritamrta". Commentaries by
Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinode Thakur and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati
Goswami Prabhupada. Published by Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math. Calcutta. 1992.
Bengali.
-- Rupa Vilas Das. "The Seventh Goswami". Published by New Jaipur Press.
Washington MS, USA.1989.
-- "Svalikhita Jivani" [Autobiography] of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinoda
Thakura. English Translation by Shukavak Das. Edited by Karnamrita Das.
Unpublished manuscript.
