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Madhukar das

Madhukar das

BGD Week 2: Turning the Mind into a Friend

BGD Week 2: Turning the Mind into a Friend

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura ki jaya! Last week, we began our journey at the entrance to the path of bhakti: Śaraṇāgati (Surrender). On the platform of śaraṇāgati, wherein one embraces the Lord’s guardianship (goptṛtve varaṇam), one becomes strongly established in their relationship (sambandha) with the Lord. What comes next? Ideally,

BGD Week 1: Śaraṇāgati

BGD Week 1: Śaraṇāgati

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura ki jaya! Today we begin our journey through the songs of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. As we prepare to enter the flow (dhārā) of his songs (gīti), we must start at the very entrance: Śaraṇāgati, or complete surrender. Over the next five weeks, I will send out a

Our 5-Week Journey Through the Songs of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

Our 5-Week Journey Through the Songs of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

Hari Haribol! All Glories to Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga! I am excited to announce that we are kicking off 2026 by restarting the daily Bhaktivinoda-gīti-dhārā program. I want to invite you to join us for five weeks—from January 1st until February 14th—as we dive into

A Long Overdue Update and Looking Ahead to the Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Retreat

A Long Overdue Update and Looking Ahead to the Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Retreat

It has been a long, long time since I’ve written here on Vine of Devotion, and I finally got a chance, so I wanted to share a little life update and my plans for the near future. For many months, I kept telling myself, “I just need to focus

Caturmāsya Begins—Planning Out Our Śikṣāṣṭaka Program

Caturmāsya Begins—Planning Out Our Śikṣāṣṭaka Program

Caturmāsya begins tomorrow—or, if you’re among those who start on Śayana Ekādaśī, then it’s already underway. Personally, I’ve found that unless I’m following a vrata with others, I struggle to keep it going. Since I’m kind of on my own this year, I’m

How to Approach the Teachings of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura—and Announcing a Retreat in His Home

How to Approach the Teachings of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura—and Announcing a Retreat in His Home

Some days on the Vaiṣṇava calendar are so special and powerful that they feel a little overwhelming—we’re left wondering, How do I even begin to truly honor them? Today is one such day: the disappearance day of Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita and his non-different form, Śrīla Saccidānanda Bhaktivinoda

Mahāprabhu's Love for the Unseen Devotee (Part Four)

Mahāprabhu's Love for the Unseen Devotee (Part Four)

Today, on the auspicious disappearance day of Śrīdhara Paṇḍita, we conclude our series, “Mahāprabhu's Love for the Unseen Devotee.” The series began in Part One with the sweet quarrels between the Lord and Śrīdhara. It continued in Part Two with the heart-melting pastime where Mahāprabhu revealed His