Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Appearance Day
All day
What is the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura?
Kedaranatha Datta, the future Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, appeared in Bengal in 1838. In 2027 the Vaishnava calendar marks his appearance day on Monday, 13 September, the day before Ananta Caturdasi.
Significance
Srila Prabhupada placed Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in the disciplic succession that descends from Krishna through Lord Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Madhvacarya, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Gosvamis. After Bhaktivinoda Thakura the line continues through Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to Srila Prabhupada himself.
By profession Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was a government magistrate, and he lived with his family. When copies of the Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Caitanya-caritamrta came into his hands, he read the Caitanya-caritamrta again and again and became absorbed in devotional service. Speaking at the appearance day festival in London, Srila Prabhupada said of him:
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura is an ideal guru. He was not a sannyāsī; he was gṛhastha, householder, living with family, wife, children. Still, he was guru.
Lecture, Festival Appearance Day, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, London, 3 September 1971
How to observe it
Asked whether the day calls for any special observance, Srila Prabhupada replied that it means to discuss the life and works of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and that is all. Devotees can gather to hear his story and chant extra rounds in gratitude to the acarya who made the mission of Sri Caitanya available once more.
Questions
When is Bhaktivinoda Thakura's appearance day in 2027?
It falls on Monday, 13 September 2027, in the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra, and Ananta Caturdasi Vrata follows the next day.
Who was Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura?
He was a magistrate and householder who became a great Gaudiya acarya. He appeared in Bengal in 1838 as Kedaranatha Datta, and Srila Prabhupada counted him in the disciplic succession of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Can a householder be a guru?
Yes. Srila Prabhupada held up Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura as the example: a householder with a wife and children, and still a guru. Anyone who knows the science of Krishna, Srila Prabhupada explained, can become a guru.
How should I observe Bhaktivinoda Thakura's appearance day?
Discuss the life and works of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Srila Prabhupada said that this is the observance, and that is all.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Monday, 13 September 2027
- Fasting
- Until noon
- Name given by his parents
- Kedaranatha Datta
- Successors in the line
- Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji, then Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Seva for this day
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