The Appearance of Thakura Bhaktivinoda

[Guest guest]

Svalikhita Jivani [Autobiography]

of Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura

 

Original English Translation by Shukavak Dasa [This version edited by KDA]

 

My father Anandachandra Datta Mahasaya was very religious, straightforward,

and detached from sensual things. Regarding his beauty, many people used to

say that in Calcutta there was no one at that time who was as handsome.

 

8b. My mother was [called] Srimati Jaganmohini. She was possessed of

intellect, straightforwardness, and devotion to my father; it can be said

that there was no one like her. My grandfather was robbed of all his

belongings, so my father expressed a desire to go to Orissa. My grandfather

said to him, "You come and see first, then after some time you can come to

Orissa with your family."

....

When my grandfather and grandmother moved from Calcutta to Orissa my father

and mother moved to Ulagram taking Abhayakali, their first born, [with

them]. During the time of their residence in Ulagram my elder brother

Kaliprasanna was born. After remaining in Birnagar a few days my father went

to Orissa and the request of my grandfather. The servant Ramahari Dasa would

not give up the property unless my father was present.

 

9. Speaking [as above mentioned], my grandfather Rajavallabha requested my

father to leave Ulagrama and come to Orissa for some time. I was only a few

months in the womb when my father set out for Orissa. During the time he was

staying in Orissa, my father received news of my birth. After the litigation

was over we took possession of the property, therefore my father was delayed

a long time from returning from Orissa.

 

10. My mother said that after my birth, she suffered labour pains for two or

three days. When I was [being] born an astrologer sat marking the time with

an hourglass. Also an English account of the time was kept.

 

My maternal grandfather had incomparable wealth and a grand estate. There

were hundreds of male and female servants.

 

When I was born I was a good weight. I had an older brother named

Abhayakali, who had previously died. A second brother, Kaliprasanna, was

still living. I was my father's third son. It was said that of all my

brothers I was a little ugly. But my mother said, "Very well, let this boy

be the servant of the rest, just let him live a long time."

 

11. My mother said that when I was eight months old I got a boil on my thigh

and as a result I became weak and emaciated. I also heard that while I was

being carried in the arms of my nurse, Shibu, down a flight of stairs, I cut

my tongue on my teeth. To this day I have a scar [on my tongue]. This

happened around the time my teeth were coming in.

[Guest guest]

>[Text 2649436 from COM]

>

>Svalikhita Jivani [Autobiography]

>of Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura

>

>Original English Translation by Shukavak Dasa [This version edited by KDA]

 

Who is KDA?

[Guest guest]

Probably Kusakratha dasa Adhikary.

 

YS,

 

Pancha Tattva dasa

 

On 23 Sep 1999, Madhusudani Radha wrote:

 

> >[Text 2649436 from COM]

> >

> >Svalikhita Jivani [Autobiography]

> >of Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura

> >

> >Original English Translation by Shukavak Dasa [This version edited by KDA]

>

> Who is KDA?

>