Editor’s Preface to the English Edition

In compiling Śrī Bhajana-rahasya, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has selected specific verses that serve to guide the sādhaka in awaken ing his eternal identity as a servant of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He reveals the purpose of each verse with an introductory sentence. These verses are presented in chapters that correspond to the sādhaka’s level of spiritual practice, from the early stages of faith up to prema, when one’s heart is blossoming with his eternal relationship with Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. The chapters are also divided according to the eight parts of the day, called yāmas. In each yāma Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa enjoy particular pastimes, a general synopsis of which is given at the end of each chapter. Following the introductory sentence, the transliterated main verse and its translation, are Bengali verses composed by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura himself. These verses paraphrase the main verse and also include his commentary. Most of them were not translated into Hindi and therefore have not been translated into English.

Just as Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura took the essence of each main verse and elaborated upon it in his Bengali verses, our beloved gurudeva, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja has expanded on the meaning of each verse with a wonderful commentary, or vṛtti, named Bhajana-rahasya-vṛtti. These commentaries reveal his genuine concern for the souls in this world who, under the guidance of śrī guru and Vaiṣṇavas, are endeavouring to develop their relationship with Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. For this we remain bound to him with affection.

Śānti dāsī
Vaijayantī-mālā dāsī

Śrī Guru-pūrṇimā
27 July, 2018
Gopīnātha-bhavana, Śrī Vṛndāvana