Universal Harmony – Thakur Bhaktivinode’s Contribution to Post-Caitanya Vaishnavism
A paper presented at the International Seminar on Thakur Bhaktivinode and Post-Caitanya Vaishnavism on the occasion of his 175th Birth and 100th Disappearance Anniversary held at Gaudiya Mission, Kolkata, on 16-17th September 2013.
The Seminar was preceded by the inauguration of the Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Museum by Sri Pranabh Mukherjee, President of India.
Abstract
The search for harmony has always been one of the biggest quests of humanity. Thakur Bhaktivinode is renowned for his expertise in establishing how the teachings of Lord Caitanya enable the unfolding of the highest levels of universal harmony.
In a time in which most people had forgotten the true Caitanyaite principles, he successfully reintroduced them and presented them in a modern context. This paper concentrates on his presentation of acintya-bhedabheda-darshana as the philosophical backbone of universal harmony. It also explains how sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the Lord’s names, is a very efficient practice to realize universal harmony.
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