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 Ṭhākura.

For over a year, our small Vine of Devotion community has been holding daily online programs, studying the songs and writings of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. And yet, it feels like we’ve not even begun to scratch the surface of the vast ocean of his contribution.

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda predicted, “That day is not far distant when the priceless volumes penned by Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda will be reverently translated, by the recipients of his grace, into all the languages of the world.” Today, with countless devotees around the globe connecting daily with Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s words, we can only imagine how pleased he must be. Still, on this day especially, it’s important to reflect on how we approach those words. In a powerful English essay written in 1931, Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura offers clear guidance:

If his [Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s] works are studied in the light of one’s own worldly experience, their meaning will refuse to disclose itself… They must be approached for their right understanding through their exposition by the pure devotee. If no help from the pure devotee is sought, the works of Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda will be grossly misunderstood…

They cannot and were never intended to give access to the Absolute without help from the pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa. They direct the sincere enquirer of the Truth, as all the revealed scriptures do, to the pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa, to learn about Him by submitting to listen with an open mind to the transcendental sound appearing on his lips.

Before we open any of the books penned by Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda, we would do well to reflect a little on the attitude with which, as the indispensable pre-requisite, to approach its study. It is by neglecting to remember this fundamental principle that the empiric pedants find themselves so hopelessly puzzled in their vain endeavour to reconcile the statements of the different texts of the scriptures. The same difficulty is already in the process of overtaking many of the so-called followers of Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda, for the same reason.

(Read the full article here)

From this, and many of Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s other writings, it becomes clear that one of the best ways to please him—and indeed, all the powerful ācāryas in this bhaktivinoda-sārasvata-dhārā—is to approach the life and teachings of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura under the guidance of a pure devotee, with sincerity, humility, and a mood of surrender.

To treat his teachings as mere intellectual knowledge goes against their very essence and purpose. They are meant to be worshiped, strived toward in practice, and ultimately lived, not merely studied. He laid out the most safe and beautiful path—walking in the line of Śrī Rūpa and Raghunātha—that leads directly to our true home: loving service to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in Vraja. We are not meant simply to learn from his teachings, but to let them mold our very selves.

It is in this spirit that I’m happy to make a first, unofficial announcement:

An Invitation to the Bhaktivinoda Retreat in Śrī Godruma in 2026

We’re excited to announce the first in-person retreat in India by Rūpa Sanātana Academy, dedicated entirely to the teachings of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.

This is a humble endeavor by a small group of devotees* to please our guru-varga. Our aim is to create a dedicated space—right in his own home of Godruma—for deep, uninterrupted engagement with his teachings. We hope this experience will leave a lasting impression, helping his nourishing guidance take deeper root in our hearts and lives.

* The team from Rupa Sanatana Academy: Manjari dasi, Sundar Gopal das, Chandramukhi dasi, Radhika dasi (Ahuja), and Madhukar das

Retreat Details

We’re still in the planning stages, but we want to share the vision with you now.

• What: A 5-day immersive retreat on the teachings of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
• When: February 15–21, 2026 (concluding just before Navadvīpa-dhāma Parikramā)
• Where: Surabhi Kuñja in Godrumadvīpa (still being finalized)

Accommodations and prasāda will be arranged for all participants

Morning Courses

Our mornings will be centered on these three foundational courses:

1. PROTECTING ŚRĪLA BHAKTIVINODA ṬHĀKURA’S LEGACY: IS PREMA FOREIGN TO THE SELF? with Sundar Gopal das
   
   Drawing on five years of doctoral research, this interactive seminar series offers a robust defense of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s teaching that prema is the intrinsic nature of the self—challenging claims that this was merely metaphorical or an outreach strategy. Presenting new research findings, the series highlights how Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda provides a profound and faithful synthesis of the earlier ācāryas.
   
   
2. BHAKTIVINODA-GĪTI-DHĀRĀ: ENTERING THE FLOW OF HIS SONGS with Madhukar das and friends
   
   In this series, we’ll explore the moods and meanings within Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s four essential songbooks: Kalyāṇa-kalpataru, Śaraṇāgati, Gītāvalī, and Gītamālā.
   
   
3. THE TEN FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS: EXPLORING BHAKTIVINODA ṬHĀKURA'S DAŚA-MŪLA-ŚIKṢĀ with Candramukhi dasi
   
   Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura masterfully condensed the vast ocean of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s philosophy into ten core principles. Understanding this framework helps us locate ourselves within the grand tapestry of Mahāprabhu’s teachings in everything we hear, speak, and study.
   

Additional workshops led by Manjari dasi, Radhika dasi (Ahuja), and other guest speakers will be announced soon!

Evening Programs

Evenings will be dedicated to singing the songs of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, followed by a group seminar (with topics and speakers to be announced soon). Each evening will conclude with kīrtana and ārati.

Throughout the retreat, we’ll also gather for three daily āratis, a dedicated early morning japa period, and more.

This retreat is for anyone who wishes to dive deeper into the current of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s teachings. If this program sounds attractive to you, we warmly invite you to join us.

Share your email using the link above 👆 to receive the full retreat details from Rūpa Sanātana Academy as soon as they’re officially announced. There’s no commitment—just a way to stay connected.

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura ki jaya! Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda ki jaya! All the powerful ācāryas who have carried forward the current of his teachings—ki jaya!