sarf.120191

Description

Gouriya was an illustrated religious journal published weekly as the mouthpiece of the Sri Gouriya Math and Parosahitya Parishad in colonial Bengal. It was first published in 1329 B.S. (1922). The journal was mainly devoted to extolling the virtues of Gouriya Vaishnavism through essays, commentaries, sermons and hymns, poems, stories, speeches and translations. It also used to report in detail on the regular activities of the Gouriya Math and various rituals and festivals associated with it, including the widely popular ‘Mahamahotsav’ (great festival) and ‘Nagar Sankirtan’ (urban musical processions). Since authors’ names rarely featured for the published pieces in the journal, it is assumed that the then devotees of the Gouriya Dharma (Gouriya religion) used to contribute their writings to the journal.

The life-story and preachings of Sri Chaitanya, the founder of Gouriya Vashnavism, featured regularly and prominently in the issues of the journal. Some leading figures of the Gouriya Vaishnava cult were also featured. They included Sri Sri Advaitacharya, Sril Paramhangsa Thakur, Balabhadra Bhattacharya, Sri Bhagaban Acharya, Srimadbhakti Binod Thakur, Sril Gourkishore Goswami, Sril Jagabandhu, Sril Prabhupad, Sripad Bhaktisarang Goswami, and Sril Loknath Goswami. The speeches of Sril Paramhanhsa appeared regularly. Excerpts from ‘Chaitanya Charitamrita’ – a text on Sri Chaitanya’s life and teachings – were reproduced in the journal under a section called ‘Sar Kotha’ (Core Issues).

The journal also used to publish the statements of accounts of the Gouriya Math and reports on the efforts for the spread of the cult in various parts in Bengal and beyond. ‘Kirtan’, a form of devotional music popularized by Sri Chaitanya and his followers, was given some prominence by the contributors. The core themes that the journal addressed were: ‘Dhyan’ (Meditation), ‘Sankirtan’ (Devotional Music), ‘Tirtha-jatra’ (Pilgrimage), ‘Mukti’ (Salvation), ‘Bhakti’ (Devotion), ‘Prarthana’ (Prayer), ‘Paropokar’ (Helping Others), ‘Asprisyata’ (Untouchability), ‘Sampradayikata’ (Communalism), ‘Tyag’ (Renunciation), ‘Dan’ (Charity), and ‘Seba’ (Service). The journal regularly published editorial comments and letters and responses from the readers. A section entitled ‘Prosnottar-Mala’ (Question and Answers) was introduced to address specific queries sent in by the readers. Later, two further sections – ‘Bibidha Prasanga’ (Various Matters) and ‘Chayan’ (Collections) – were also added.

Keywords

Religions, sermons, hymns, ritual, festivals, Vaishnavism, Gouriya, Math, Parosahitya, Parishad, Calcutta, India

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