Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

When Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thakura appeared, the condition of Bengal was becoming exactly like how it was before the appearance of Navadvīpa-candra Śrī Gaurasundara. Marriages were arranged for dolls and puppets, and ostentatious displays of wealth were made during the marriage of one's son or daughter. Prayers were recited to Candi-devī (Mangalācandī). On the pretext of offering prayers to their worshipable deity, people would sing and dance the entire night while being intoxicated. Black magic and worship of ghosts were performed regularly, as were worship of Śiva, Durgā, Visņu, Gaņeśa, and Sürya-all to fulfill the material interests of the worshipers. Elephants and buffaloes would be made to fight each other. Courtesans would dance, and poets would engage in mundane logic and debate. People would be falsely led into accruing the fruits of material piety, which would result in enjoyment of sense objects. The country's wealth would be speculated on and many would be goaded into the idea of earning illicit wealth.