01  Love as the purpose of life

“To love is the sole purpose of human life.”

Source: Prīti (Love). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 8 (1896). Translation by Gaudiya Vedanta Publications.

02  Kindness to living beings

“It is the inherent nature of a Vaiṣṇava to be kind to the jīvas.”

Source: Jīvera Dayā (Mercy to the Living Entities). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 4, issue 8. English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

03  Freedom from envy

“Whoever feels pleasure at the distress of others can never display mercy to the jīvas.”

Source: Mātsarya (Envy). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 4. Translation by Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa.

04  Tolerance in speech

“If someone speaks in a strong way to you, tolerate it. Do not insult anybody.”

Source: Kali. Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 15, issue 1 (1903). Translation by Sanātana Dāsa and Parameśvarī Devī Dāsī.

05  Integrity of heart and conduct

“Let our hearts and behaviour be the same!”

Source: Bhaktira Prati Aparādha (Offences Against Bhakti). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 8, issue 10 (1896). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

06  A generous approach to criticism

“The true critic is a generous judge, void of prejudices and party spirit.”

Source: The Bhagavat – Its Philosophy Its Ethics and Its Theology. English lecture delivered at Dinajpur in 1869, according to the archive. Original English prose.

07  Choosing good company

“However, merely avoiding bad association is not sufficient. It is our duty to carefully cultivate good association.”

Source: Sādhu-saṅgera Praṇālī Vicāra (Analysing the Method of Associating with Sādhus). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 15, issue 2 (1903). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

08  Learning through saintly association

“By associating with a sādhu and receiving instructions from him, one gradually obtains knowledge of the Absolute.”

Source: Sādhu-jana-saṅga (The Association of Sādhus). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 10, issue 4 (1898). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

09  The value of devotional community

“Without the association of śuddha-bhaktas, or pure devotees, there is no question of holding an iṣṭa-goṣṭhī.”

Source: Śrī Gaurāṅga Samāja (The Society of Śrī Gaurāṅga). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 10. Translation by Gaudiya Vedanta Publications.

10  Speech that supports devotion

“Talking without reason about other people is extremely adverse to devotional service.”

Source: Prajalpa (Idle speech). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 10. Translator not identified on the cited article page.

11  Giving the mind a higher engagement

“If urged towards spiritual subjects, the mind is properly engaged and it will not hanker for insignificant subjects.”

Source: Dhairya (Patience). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 10. Translator not identified on the cited article page.

12  Reviewing spiritual progress

“On every Ekādaśī, we should consider how much advancement in our bhajana we have made since the last Ekādaśī.”

Source: Asat-saṅga Parityāga (Abandoning Bad Association). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 4, issue 5 (1892). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

13  Faith as the price of the holy name

“Hari-nāma cannot be bought with money, the only price is śraddhā.”

Source: Ṭahala (Patrol). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 8, issue 8 (1896). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

14  The disposition of surrender

“From this day on, I am not for myself, I am Kṛṣṇa’s!”

Source: Śraddhā and Śaraṇāgati. Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 4, issue 9. English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

15  Knowledge that nourishes devotion

“Hence, such true philosophical conclusions are the very root of pure bhakti.”

Source: Amṛta-Pravāha Bhāṣya. Commentary on Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 2.117. English edition, Bhaktivinoda Institute; translator not stated on the chapter page.

16  Gradual purification through practice

“By gradually progressing in bhajana, all the anarthas of the jīva are destroyed.”

Source: Pañca Saṁskāra (The Five Purificatory Processes) – 1. Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 2, issue 1 (1885). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

17  The foundation of detachment

“When attachment for Kṛṣṇa arises and becomes stronger, attachment for sense-objects decreases.”

Source: Vairāgya (Renunciation). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 24, issues 1–2; published posthumously under Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s editorship, according to the archive. English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

18  A complete approach to personal growth

“Eating, conduct and spiritual endeavours are the three kinds of activities that improve human nature.”

Source: Matsya-Māṁsa Bhojana (Eating Fish and Meat). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 2, issue 8 (1885). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).

19  Care for vulnerable people

“The sick, the blind, the old and homeless children are also eligible for muṣṭi-bhikṣā.”

Source: Muṣṭi-bhikṣā (Begging Alms). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 6, issue 3 (1894). Byline credits Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa as translators.

20  Valuing every day

“This human life is rare, and we should not waste it even for a single day.”

Source: Sahajiyā Matera Heyatva (The Disgusting Beliefs of the Sahajiyās). Sajjana Toṣaṇī, vol. 4, issue 6 (1892). English translation credited to Swami B.V. Giri (Bhaktivijñāna Giri).