Sajjan Toshani
“Sajjana Toṣanī” was the first Bengali spiritual monthly magazine. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura first published the magazine in 1881 from Narail in Jessore district of undivided Bengal. During that time, he was there for his job. He played a significant role in propagating Vaisnavism in both Eastern and Western countries through his prolific writings in various languages during his lifetime. The most important aspect of his mission was the magazine, “Sajjana Toṣanī”. Because all his writings were published through it, this magazine was primarily a spiritual publication. It aimed at reinforcing Vaisnavism in society. It played a crucial role in preaching and practicing Sudha-bhakti in society. The pure and unalloyed prema–dharma preached by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became significantly distorted then. Through this magazine, efforts were made to restore and revive the purity of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s divine mission.
The purpose ofthis magazine:
The primary nature of the Jiva in its pure state is to be in a loving relationship with the Supreme Absolute. When Jiva becomes free from the bondage of the material nature, it gets elevated at that level. This is the ultimate goal of every conditioned living being. The material world is transient and a product of Maya. This is the place where the Jivas suffer from their past Karma, be it good or bad. In this world, those who can revive their inherent spirituality, live a glorious life. Even those who have not yet awakened pure love for God but intend to do so in their lives are also highly esteemed. Because they are on the path to achieve that state soon. These noble personalities are called ‘sajjana’ (virtuous people). The purpose of this magazine is to please such people. Hence, the name of this magazine is Sajjana Toṣanī. (Sajjana Toṣanī 2/4)
A verse composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura regarding this magazine:
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura composed a verse for this magazine. It is as follows:
“aśeṣa kleśa viśleṣi pareśāveśa sādhini
jīyādeṣā parāpatrī sarva-sajjanatoṣaṇi”
This spiritual magazine removes the endless sufferings from threefold material miseries of the conditioned souls and influences them to devotion to Lord Hari. This magazine increases the pleasure in the heart of ‘sajjanas’ i.e. the pure devotees.
History of Sajjana Toṣanī:
In May 1881, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur first edited and published this magazine as a periodical from Narail in the Jessore district of East Bengal. Subsequently, an English edition of the magazine was published in 1883. But it was discontinued shortly thereafter. In 1885 “Vaisnava Depository” was established at Bhaktibhavan in Kolkata. Since 1892 the magazine began to be published regularly under the editorship of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. At that time, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was the most prolific editor and publisher of the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The Sajjana Toṣanī magazine consistently published most of his works. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura left this material world in 1914. After his disappearance, his son, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada took over as editor of the magazine. He was the sole heir and propagator of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism in his time. The publication continued till 1922. Since that time ‘Gaudiya’ started its journey. Later, in 1927, the magazine began to be published in English under the name “The Harmonist.”
Sajjan Toshani
