Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Ānanda Bazaar Patrikā and Prema Gāthā – A Review
Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Ānanda Bazaar Patrikā and Prema Gāthā – A Review
Overview
In this review from Sajjana Toṣaṇī Vol. 11 Issue 5 published in 1899, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura critiques a new newspaper which mixes topics concerning Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism along with mundane current events, and also a book of devotional poetry.
by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
(translated by Swami B.V. Giri)
Śrī Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Ānanda Bazaar Patrikā
We have discovered a new newspaper named Śrī Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Ānanda Bazaar Patrikā. In many places, the newspaper mentions Śrī Gaurāṅga. However, in our opinion, it would have been better if it was named Śrī Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Patrikā. A newspaper that contains various types of news is merely full of prajalpa (useless talks). That is always an obstacle to bhakti. In particular, a newspaper that discusses politics and general social policies is very worldly. In such a situation, discussions on bhagavata-kathā cannot gain any prominence.
The mood of the newspaper is obvious from the first issue. The unusual Mahābhārata of Kāśī Dāsa, which has been written in a couple of lines, is embarrassing to read. A spiritual newspaper will always be filled with pure words. Certain jokes, false stories and social controversies cannot find a place in such a magazine. We hope that the mahātmās who were the founders of Śrī Visnupriyā journal do not turn this new newspaper into a purely materialistic one. Seeing the unfortunate condition of Śrī Visnupriyā journal, the Vaiṣṇava world is deeply saddened.
The Ānanda Bazaar exists in two forms – one type of Ānanda Bazaar has been continuing since Satya-yuga in the temple of Śrī Jagannātha Deva, and another type has been established by modern thinkers in Kolkata. I cannot say that Śrī Viṣṇupriyā has any resemblance with any kind of Ānanda Bazaar. Only after seeing a couple of issues, will we be able to say.
Prema Gāthā (A Story of Prema)
The writer, Śrīmatī Nagendra-bala Maustafi, has written this book of 155 pages. The writer is known in this world as a poet. Previously, we read a book written by her called Marma Gāthā (‘A Story of the Heart’). In this Prema Gāthā, one can see the gradual development of her poetic strength. There are many small poems included in it. I became happy by repeatedly reading the poem entitled Nimnalikita Prārthanā (‘The Following Prayer’):
(1)
o caraṇe kaya-mane āmāra minati hari**mana-prāṇa hena dāna tomāri caraṇe kari
O Hari, I pray with my mind and body at Your feet, and offer my mind and my very life at Your feet.
(2)
kibā such kibā duḥkha yena sama dekhe mana**ki vipade ki sampade yeni smari o caraṇa
Whether it be happiness or sorrow, the mind sees them as equal. In both danger and success, may I always remember Your feet.
(3)
‘āmi kari’garvva hari haya yena tirodhāna**karma-phala avirala kari yena tuṅhe dāna
O Hari! May the pride of ‘I am the doer’ be removed. May the results of my actions be continuously offered to You as a gift.
(4)
parameśa dayāleśa vitariyā e janāya**dāsī kare ciratare rekha ei raṅga pāya
O Supreme Lord, full of compassion, distribute Your grace. Make me Your maidservant forever, and keep me at Your blessed feet.
(5)
e vāsanā e sādhanā yena go pūraṇa haya**ei cāi āra nāi kona sādha dayāmaya
May this desire and this pursuit be fulfilled. I ask for nothing more, O compassionate one.
(6)
pipāsita poḍā cita tomāri āśāte hāya**kaṅde kaṅde buka beṅdhe paḍe ācche e dharāya
Alas, this thirsty, burning mind constantly cries in hope of You. With a heavy heart, I fall to the ground.
(7)
sādha niti prema-gīti gāva nātha anivāra**prema-dhana vitaraṇa kara more ekabara
I will sing songs of devotion and love, O Lord, without fail. Please grant me the treasure of prema, just once.
With all our hearts, we confer our blessings that the writer may be able to write a complete book on the pastimes of Gaurāṅga in the future.