Bhaktivinoda-gīti-dhārā

The current of songs that bring delight (vinodan) to devotion (bhakti)

Beginning on the auspicious occasion of Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita's appearance day (May 8th), we will embark on a journey through the large treasure trove of songs of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.

You can watch this video to learn more details about the program:

How to join

I send program announcements, resources, and the links to join our Bhaktivinoda-gīti-dhārā sessions on Zoom or YouTube in this WhatsApp group:

We also have three interactive WhatsApp groups where you can access daily writing prompts, ask questions, share what you’ve learned, share helpful resources, etc.:

BGD – Reflection & Application

BGD – Learn Bengali through Kirtan

BGD – Melodies & Memorization

If you don't use WhatsApp, then here are the Zoom links we use daily:

And you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel where all our daily sessions are live-streamed:

If you'd like to see the daily programs we have lined up throughout the month, subscribe to our Google Calendar:

(Note: the link seems to work only when you click on it from a computer, not a phone.) 

Resources

Every day at the start of our program we recite this Maṅgalācaraṇa:

In every session, we read a different passage from one of our ācāryas extolling the glories of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, their words on the topic of Śaraṇāgati, then we sing a song from Śaraṇāgati, and sometimes have a simple Bengali lesson at the end. All these materials that I prepare for each session are available on this page:

Currently, I am engaged in preparing our own translations of Śaraṇāgati, which will be featured in the upcoming edition of Śrī Gauḍīya Gīti-guccha. These translations will be integrated into our program as I continue to work on them. Alongside, I have found a couple of other editions of Śaraṇāgati to be quite beneficial. Firstly, there is the translation by Śrīmatī Devamayī Dīdī, whose renditions are of exceptional quality. Secondly, there is the edition published by Chaitanya Saraswat Math, which includes the commentary Śrī Laghu-candrikā-bhāṣya by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja. While personally, I have a preference for the song translations by Devamayī Dīdī, I sometimes utilize the other publication for its word-for-word translations and commentary.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at madhukar.das@gmail.com