Theology & Epistemology Treatise 1889

Tattva-viveka

তত্ত্ববিবেক
Author: Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
Original philosophical treatise in Sanskrit verses with extensive Bengali prose commentary (Tattva-sūtram)

About This Work

Drawing comparisons with Western philosophers (Kant, Mill, Spencer) and classical Indian darśanas, Bhaktivinoda demonstrates that divine revelation alone provides complete epistemological certainty.

Historical Context

Composed in 1889 during his magistrate duties in Krishnanagar, establishing Gauḍīya metaphysics in the language of formal epistemological debate.

Key Philosophical Teachings

  • Material perception and logic are inherently flawed; divine sound (śabda-pramāṇa) is the primary valid source of spiritual truth.
  • Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy of Acintya-bhedābheda-tattva synthesizes and reconciles all apparent scriptural contradictions.
  • The eternal individuality of the soul is never annihilated, even in the state of ultimate liberation.

Śrīla Prabhupāda on This Work

Śrīla Prabhupāda on Disciplic Succession
One of the Ācāryas of the Disciplic Succession from Kṛṣṇa
“He was one of the ācāryas of this disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa.”
Context: From the Appearance Day lecture in London, September 3, 1971, explaining the unbroken line of spiritual transmission descending from Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa through Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Appearance Day Lecture, London, September 3, 1971 — London, United Kingdom (September 3, 1971)

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Primary Bibliographic Source: Tattva-viveka, Krishnanagar (1889)