Editor’s Preface to Sri Krishna Samhita, by Srila Bhakti Vilas Tirtha Maharaj

The sacred stream of pure devotion that now flows in the world has, as its mighty source, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. For those noble souls who, having firm faith in the Bhagavata-dharma, are endowed with discrimination and eagerness for devotional practice, the Thakur composed this Sri Krishna Samhita.

Eighty-one years ago, in the Bengali year 1286, the first edition of this book was published. Twenty-six years later, a second edition appeared in the fifteenth volume of Sajjana-toshani, the monthly spiritual journal edited by the Thakur himself. In the “Announcement” to that edition, the late Sri Radhika Prasad Datta wrote:

“Recently, under the supervision of Srila Bhaktivinoda Mahasaya, this work has been revised and republished with necessary corrections and adjustments in the Sajjana-toshani magazine (Volume 15).”

Although both the first and second editions are in our possession, the present third edition follows the text of the second. However, a few important portions — especially two footnotes omitted in that edition — have been restored from the first. The Thakur’s own “Preface,” along with the two preceding pages containing the Chatur-shloki Bhagavata, have likewise been collected from the first edition, for they were absent in the second.

The second edition too was exhausted within a short time, and for fifty long years no further publication was undertaken, so that this noble work had nearly disappeared from circulation. Now, by the gracious will of the lotus feet of Sri Guru, this third edition once more sees the light of day.

May it be that —

“He who hears, reads with care, and reflects with devotion upon these truths shall surely be liberated.” — Srimad Bhagavatam

Those thoughtful seekers who follow the sacred guidance of our revered Thakur will assuredly rejoice upon obtaining this work; of that there can be no doubt. May the lotus feet of Sri Guru be ever victorious. Unless one possesses firm faith in the scriptural conclusions derived from divine hearing (shruta-siddhanta), the inner purport of this book cannot be grasped. Especially for those whose faith is yet tender, certain passages may occasion some difficulty. For this reason, the Thakur himself has written in his Preface: “When the book is published it will come into the hands of all sorts of people. I fear that readers may not engage in its study after first determining their own spiritual qualification.”

The Thakur further wrote: “Seeing the independent conclusions expressed in the Upakramanika (Introduction), let the venerable scholars learned in the scriptures and the devout followers of the Satvata school not disregard the Sri Krishna Samhita. Even if nothing else were present, the glorification of Krishna’s Name, Qualities, and Pastimes is here — and for that reason alone the work deserves their reverence.”

Addressing new readers, the Thakur wrote: “Hearing the name Krishna Samhita or the words concerning the Braja-lilas, let the newcomers not turn away from my book in indifference. The more they read with reverent attention, the more will the transcendental truths unfold within their hearts.”

We therefore draw the attention of all kind-hearted readers to these instructions of the Thakur.  After a long interval of twenty-six years, this noble scripture once again appears in the form of a fifth edition. The distinguishing feature of this edition is that every verse cited by the Thakur from the Srimad Bhagavatam has now been provided with its corresponding skandha (canto), adhyaya (chapter), and shloka (verse) numbers; likewise, the quotations from the Bhagavad-gita have been furnished with full reference. This will greatly assist the reader in tracing each subject back to its original source.

In addition, an index of the verses within the Samhita itself, and of all cited verses, has been appended—something not found in any earlier edition.

The Thakur has written, in the Bengali language, the Upakramanika (Introduction), the explanations of the verses of the main text, and the Upasamhara (Conclusion). His style is remarkably lucid and graceful. The verses themselves, though clear and flowing, are profound and weighty in their reasoning. As the author himself has provided the exposition, the gentle reader, by careful study, will discern the true import of the work and experience boundless joy within the heart.

In the Upakramanika are treated the following subjects:

 1. The inquiry into the Supreme Reality (paramartha-bichar),

2. The historical narrative of India,

3. The time of composition of the Aryan scriptures,

4. The antiquity of the Aryan people,

5. The historical development of transcendental truth, and

6. The refutation of non-spiritual arguments.

In the Upasamhara (Conclusion) the threefold philosophical foundations—sambandha (relation), prayojana (goal), and abhidheya (means)—are discussed in order.

The main text consists of ten chapters:

In the first is the Vaikuntha-vichar (discussion of the spiritual realm); In the second, the Bhagavat-shanti-vichar (discussion of the peace of the Lord); In the third, the Avatar-vichar (discussion of divine descents); From the fourth to the seventh, the deliberation upon Sri Krishna-lila; In the eighth, the analysis of Anvaya and Vyatireka—the direct and indirect relations within Krishna’s pastimes; In the ninth, the study of Sri Krishna-prapti, the attainment of Krishna; And in the tenth, the discussion of the lives of those who have attained Him (Krishnapta-jana-charitra).

During his tenure as Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, the Thakur composed this noble work along with many other treatises filled with the highest realization of truth — such as Sri Chaitanya-shikshamrita, Jaiva Dharma, Bhagavat-arka-marichimala, and Sri Shiksha of Mahaprabhu. From this alone it is evident that he is an eternally perfect associate of the Lord. For otherwise, how could one so deeply engaged in the demanding affairs of worldly administration produce such divine and transcendent writings?

Yet, while executing all his official duties with admirable precision and order, he simultaneously manifested these immortal works — a wonder in itself. For his imperishable contribution, all sincere seekers of the Supreme Truth will forever remain bowed at his holy feet, without doubt.

This sacred work has now been published. In the conclusion of the volume, a full list of the Thakur’s writings, together with the dates of their composition, has been included; therefore, it is not repeated here.

When the desire was expressed to bring forth a new edition of this almost-forgotten masterpiece of the Thakur, for the perpetual welfare of the people at large, the noble-hearted and devout gentleman, Sri Gaur Gopal Sarkar, B.A., the capable manager of the Calcutta branch of Allembic Distributors, most graciously consented to bear the entire expense of its publication. Through his generosity this third edition of the venerable book has now seen the light of day.

For this, we remain bound to him in the ties of heartfelt gratitude. At the lotus feet of Sri Sri Gaurahari, we pray for the eternal welfare of him and his family.

Submitted by

The servant of the servants of the Vaishnavas,

Tridandi-bhikshu Sri Bhakti Vilas Tirtha.