Sri Caitanya-siksamrta Published

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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, 23rd September1969, 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 explained:

 

"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 distinguised

himself by his dedication to fulfulling 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

Prabhupapda 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 philosphy are examined point for point, and then how these

philosophies may 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 painting 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 the Narendra Svarova.

 

The book uses a comfortably sized font on a 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 colour dust jackets over a gold-embossed hard

cover.

 

Description is given so you may know the high quality of production. Kindly

find attached a jpeg of the dust jacket picture.

 

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,

 

your servant, Kesidamana dasa.