Arsaprayoga PDF
Arsaprayoga PDF
Arsaprayoga PDF
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Arsa Prayoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What is arsa prayoga? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Srila Prabhupadas definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
You must read my books everyday! . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Every line is perfect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Resistance to change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Planet of the trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Cattle raising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Dont do anything without consulting me . . . . . . . . . 59
On BBTI credentials to edit the books . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Galley proofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
CONTENTS
Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
The changes are not justified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
BBTI has not followed proper protocols . . . . . . . . . . 132
Work redone from the drafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
What could be changed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
No precedent in our sampradaya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Protect Prabhupadas books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Post-samadhi editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
The prerogative of the author is taken away . . . . . . . 138
Bowdlerizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
CONTENTS
Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Srila Prabhupada approved the galley proofs . . . . . . . 145
Definition of galley proof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
4984 or 94 mistakes? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Qualifications and power of an editor . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Intended meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Editor should be named . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
For life power of attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Srila Prabhupadas final approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Universities and experts feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Changes to Bhagavad-gita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Bhagavad-gita verses comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Gita purports have been tampered . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Changes to Srimad Bhagavatam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Changes to Caitanya-caritamrta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Changes to Krishna Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Changes to other books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Siddhanta deviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Preface
The purpose of this book is to keep the followers and well-wishers
of Srila Prabhupada informed as well as other interested parties
among scholars, academicians, librarians, reviewers, students and
the general public that his original books, recorded lectures,
conversations et al. continue to be altered, changed or interpolated,
with no definitive evidence or record of his explicit authorization
or approval to do so.
These revised literatures of His Divine Grace (1896-1977) are be-
ing distributed worldwide with his name as the original author,
although as such they cannot be trusted to present his teachings
as they are.
However, although published in smaller numbers, Srila Prabhu-
padas unrevised books continue to be readily available. They
remain the genuine basis of the Hare Krishna Movement, intro-
duced by Srila Prabhupada, as founded in 16th century in India
by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu for the cause of universal spiritual
brotherhood and the upliftment of mankind.
The teachings of Srila Prabhupada provide for millions a solace for
the anxiety of daily affairs in life as well as guidance in pursuit
of the highest spiritual achievements. His true legacy must be
preserved for them and for the generations to come.
The contents herein represent but a fraction of the persons ded-
icated to doing so, and mirror the opinions of many more who
appreciate Srila Prabhupadas teachings.
The Publishers
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the following contributors, whose writ-
tings have formed the backbone of this humble attempt: Bahusira
dasa (ACBSP), Bhagavat dasa (ACBSP), Govinda dasi (ACBSP),
Hayagriva dasa (ACBSP), Hrshikesh dasa, Keli lalita dasi (ACBSP),
Krishna Krpa dasi (ACBSP), Locanananda dasa (ACBSP), Madhud-
visa dasa, Ramesvara dasa (ACBSP), Rasananda dasa (ACBSP) and
Rupanuga Prabhu (ACBSP).
Special thanks to Ajit Krishna dasa, for his long time endeavour at
arsaprayoga.com and Bhakta Torben for his extensive work on the
changes to the Bhagavad-gita section.
To Andrew Whitlock, whose literary expertise, investigations and
insight have crafted a significant part of this work and to Ashvini
Katake Mataji, who did the first proofreading and was always
bursting energy to help in whatever necessary.
My heartfelt thanks to Gopi kumari dasi for producing the beautiful
covers of the book and to Dharma putra dasa (BSDG) who proof-
readed the book and provided valuable feedback.
My deep gratitude to the other numerous Vaishnavas whose input
has been used in the compilation of this book. We pray this
presentation will act as a definitive fortress for Srila Prabhupadas
legacy.
Introduction
Arsa prayoga means no posthumous editing, preserving the written
mistakes of the acaryas as they are.
There is no precedent in our sampradaya for posthumous, unap-
proved changes to an acaryas books. Only one such example is
given by BBTI, Jiva Goswamis editing the Nectar of Devotion. How
can they compare Jiva Goswami with editors in the lower stages of
bhakti, not yet fully situated in the perfected stages of bhava (what
to speak of prema) affirming that they can touch and change the
words of a departed Sampradaya Acarya?
Srila Prabhupada had control over his books and was meticulous
in the publishing process, from choosing his editors to examining
the galley proofs before the printing, as many letters and witnesses
attest. Even when Srila Prabhupada was present in physical form
his policy was clear:
Our editing is to correct grammatical and spelling errors only,
without interpolation of style or philosophy.
(Letter to Rupanuga das, 17 February, 1970.)
BBTI has no authorization to do the massive changes by adding,
subtracting and interpolating text, changing syntax and style, chang-
ing the Sanskrit, the plates, covers and other parts of the books like
forewords, praises by scholars, etc. Moreover they have opened this
hidden co-authors door and nobody is certain when it will be closed,
not even them, which in turn opens the possibility of the books
being changed so much through generations that we can end with
a very different thing altogether.
In particular, Jayadvaita Swami is not authorized to do posthumous
changes based on past circumstances when Srila Prabhupada com-
pared him with the rascal editors and said, he is good. That is
Introduction 2
point the propaganda by the BBTI was to stop printing them) and
the posthumous editions clearly labeled with the editors names in
the cover and a profuse explanation of the reasons for edits. The
foreign language editions should follow the same principles.
In this way, all controversy regarding the book changes can be
stopped at once. It takes bravery on the part of the BBTI to
acknowledge this, but I am sure that the Vaishnavas all over the
world will be gracious to accept some apologies and follow on with
devotional service, with the arsa prayoga principles intact. Jaya
Srila Prabhupada!
Monier-Williams, 1872
arsa: relating or belonging to or derived from rishis.
prayoga: application, employment; reducing to practice, use, usage,
practice, ceremonial form, course of proceeding.
Sanskrit Dictionary for Spoken Sanskrit
arsa: relating or belonging to or derived from rishis.
prayoga: use, utterance.
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms in Integral Yoga Literature
arsa prayoga: rshis license. A form of expression, sometimes
violating the normal rules of grammar, peculiar to the Vedic rshis.
The principle of arsa prayoga states that we should not see mistakes
in what the spiritual master has written. We should not think that
what he has written can be changed to make it appear more effective
or politically correct. To preserve his teachings in the originally
published form is the way in which the Acarya is honoured, and
to do otherwise is to dishonour Him.
This is the rule of arsa prayoga, a principle that devoted followers
of a bona fide spiritual master must adhere to without deviation.
This is confirmed in the following verse, S.B. 1.5.11:
tad-vag-visargo janatagha-viplavo
yasmin prati-slokam abaddhavaty api
namany anantasya yaso nkitani yat
srnvanti gayanti grnanti sadhavah
Arsa Prayoga 5
Translation:
On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions
of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes,
etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of
transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution
in the impious lives of this worlds misdirected civilization. Such
transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are
heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly
honest.
103. Smiling, Ishvara Puri said, You are a great pandita. I have
written a book about Lord Krishnas pastimes.
104. Please tell me all the mistakes in it. That would make me very,
very happy.
105. Lord Caitanya replied, Only a sinner sees faults in a devotees
words describing Lord Krishna.
106. A devotee does not write poetry whimsically, according to
his own personal opinion. Therefore, his poetry, presenting the
conclusions of scripture, is always pleasing to Lord Krishna.
[]
109. The Lord said: One who sees faults in a devotees words is
himself at fault. Simply by describing the Lord, a devotee pleases
Lord Krishna.
110. Who is so daring that he will find fault with your descriptions
of spiritual love?
111. As he heard the Lords reply, Ishvara Puri felt that his entire
body was being splashed with nectar.
(Caitanya Bhagavat, Adi-khanda, Ch. 11.)
do all other things like Krishna, they you can do Raslila. So if these
other writers can do like me and spread Krishna consciouness all
over the world by becoming big Vedic scholars, then they can do. If
one is too big, there is no mistake. Arsa prayoga means there may
be discrepancies but it is all right. Just like Shakespeare, sometimes
there are odd usages of language, but he is accepted as authority. I
have explained all these things in my Preface to First Canto.
(Letter to: Mandali Bhadra Jaipur 20 January, 1972.)
Asa-praya(?) should be transcribed as Arsa-prayoga, as confirmed in the original
audio.
Arsa Prayoga 8
Bhagavat dasa
Srila Prabhupadas explicit
desire
How the editing should be done
Our editing is to correct grammatical and spelling errors only,
without interpolation of style or philosophy.
(Letter to: Rupanuga , 17 February, 1970.)
Interpolate definitions
American Heritage Dictionary
interpolate:
1. To insert or introduce between other elements or parts.
2. a) To insert (material) into a text. b) To insert into a conversation,
parts. 3. To change or falsify (a text) by introducing new or incorrect
material.
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 12
Oxford Dictionaires
interpolate -verb
1.1 Insert (words) in a book or other text. especially in order to give
a false impression as to its date.
1.2 Alter or enlarge (a text) by insertion of new material.
Merriam Webster
interpolate -transitive verb
1: a: to alter or corrupt (as a text) by inserting new or foreign matter
b: to insert (words) into a text or into a conversation.
2: to insert between other things or parts : intercalate.
3: to estimate values of (data or a function) between two known
values.
Andrew Whitlock
his disciples, thus perpetrating the myth that His Divine Grace was
a passive author who, once the writing was done, simply handed
the ball off to Jayadvaita and a few others to finish everything; that
he wasnt necessarily concerned with or even fully aware of the
nuts and bolts of the process and that he didnt always see the big
picture. And that somehow Jayadvaita knew what His Divine Grace
would have approved or not approved.
Govinda dasi and Jayadvaita Swami- Honolulu, Jan 19, 2003:
Jayadvaita Swami: I could tell you that some of the verses that
some of the BBTI staff questioned, Prabhupada would never have
approved. I can say with confidence, Prabhupada would never have
approved. Some of the very few verses that we had issues with,
theres no question in my mind that Prabhupada didnt see them.
Might this be a tad presumptuous? Could it be that Jayadvaita
wasnt aware of how involved Srila Prabhupada was in the produc-
tion and publication of his Bhagavad-gita and that he (Jayadvaita)
was not the only person Prabhupada was communicating and
interacting with?
The following conversations and correspondence are just a sam-
pling of the communications between His Divine Grace and others
from 1969 through 1972 regarding the publishing of his unabridged
Bhagavad-gita As It Is. For the sake of brevity, we have only used
excerpts from these communications.
I encourage everyone to look at the full text in the Bhaktivedanta
Vedabase to understand Srila Prabhupadas depth of involvement in
the details of publishing, and to study the complete history of events
to truly appreciate the astonishing number of people, publications
and issues Srila Prabhupada was dealing with.
These citations show that in addition to writing, His Divine Grace
was involved in approving layouts, deciding on book binding,
directing artists, corresponding with his editors, studying printing
options, contacting Macmillan, reviewing contracts, fund raising
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 15
and more. Again, these citations only reference his work on the
unabridged Gita Srila Prabhupada was working on several titles
simultaneously. And book publishing was but one facet of his
mission.
Letter to Satsvarupa- Los Angeles, June 27, 1969:
Regarding Madan Mohan he must continue the work of indexing
very nicely the original Bhagavad-gita As It Is. As soon as this
indexing is finished, I shall publish another revised and enlarged
edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is at my own cost. I was not happy
to publish it [abridged edition] through Macmillan as they have
crippled the explanations for so many important verses.
Discussion with BTG Staff- Boston, December 24, 1969:
Srila Prabhupada sets the wheels in motion. There are several
existing drafts. He tells Jayadvaita, So whatever is lacking, you ask
me. I will supply you.
He approves the translations edited by Macmillan:
Prabhupada: One thing may appear to be very simple and to other,
terse, but you do your own duty. Another thing: where is the
Bhagavad-gita with my full translation and synonyms? Where is
that manuscript?
Hayagriva: I have There are several existing manuscripts. I
have The manuscript I went over is in Columbus.
Prabhupada: Whole?
Hayagriva: The total manuscript is there.
Prabhupada: So we have to prepare for next publication, revised
and enlarged, giving in the same process: original verse, transliter-
ation, synonyms, and translation, and purport
Jayadvaita: Theres another manuscript of Bhagavad-gita also in
New York, the original.
Prabhupada: Oh. You have got?
Jayadvaita: Yes. Its in New York except for the first two chapters.
Everything else is there.
Prabhupada: So first two chapters might be with Janardana. But
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 16
one.
Jayadvaita Maharaja: He may have, for some brief time, spent
some time with Prabhupada. Its possible. Um, but the final product
was certainly not, um, something that Prabhupada, um, you know,
pored over the original, he just didnt have, couldnt possibly have
the I could tell you that some of the verses that some of the BBTI
staff questioned, Prabhupada would never have approved. I can say
with confidence, Prabhupada would never have approved. Some of
the very few verses that we had issues with, theres no question in
my mind that Prabhupada didnt see them.
Later in the same conversation:
Jayadvaita Maharaja: Just all I really wanted to do is contribute
to the history of the Gita and say that, um, what Prabhupada saw
and signed off on, um, in 1968, was the abridged edition. And the
unabridged edition he really didnt see in its preparation for its, um,
pre-publication stages, except perhaps there were some meetings at
some point.
Book paintings, we went over these drawings that Pariksit had done
for the Teachings of Lord Caitanya.
He had worked for one year on about 24 or so black and white
drawings which would be going on the title page for each chapter
of the Teachings of Lord Caitanya. This was his first major work at
the BBT art department.
And they had sent them to me so I could show them to Prabhupada
because we were getting ready to print the TLC in Dai Nippon.
So we went through drawing after drawing after drawing and
Prabhupada was becoming angrier and angrier and more and
more livid, and it was becoming a frightening experience. He was
condemning them, he was throwing them out, he was rejecting
them, he was blasting them, he was describing how they were going
to ruin his book, theyre off, theyre misrepresentative, theyre not
clear, theyre bogus, and If you put anything bogus in my book, this
is my greatest fear that you will ruin my book and the whole book
will be ruined because of you! And on and on, it was devastating!
And I wrote a letter to the artists with the description of Prabhu-
padas comments like a blow-by blow because it was so impressed
in my mind. As soon as I got out of the room I ran downstairs and
typed out this letter, remembering all of the things Prabhupada said.
So Ill be able to find that letter and you can refer to it and youll see
exactly how Prabhupada analyzed the drawings in relation to what
they were supposed to be illustrating very carefully and rejected
them and just with devastating critique. Prabhupada was so expert.
So then after going through that scene, then I took out the Krishna
Book and said, Now, these are the paintings they want to take
out and these are the ones they want to put in, Srila Prabhupada.
And we started again going page by page, color plate by color plate.
And Prabhupada was becoming more and more livid, and more and
more angry. And it was just the most terrifying experience that I
have ever gone through.
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 32
into his bedroom at the original painting which was hanging on his
wall.
From his sitting room in Los Angeles he could look into his
bedroom. He turned white. He looked at that painting. Then he
looked down at the painting that they were proposing was better.
Krishnas hair was wild and long, Radharanis head was uncovered,
the gopis hair was uncovered.
It was like, Prabhupada said, Hippie dance, sex dance. Hippie
seeds, hippie contamination, hippie mentality, hippie, hippie, dirty!
Rascals! On and on. Prabhupada was screaming, banging his fist
on the desk.
There was nothing you could say, it was just an explosion that
Theyre ruining my books. Hearing the screaming, Sudama, who
was acting as Prabhupadas servant ran into the room opened the
door and seeing just as he came in Prabhupada was banging and
releasing a barrage.
And Sudama couldnt even offer his obeisances. I remember looking
at him, he was terrified. He lifted up his hand to his face to shield
his eyes. He somehow pushed himself into the back wall and lifted
up a foot like he was towering, like he was about to be attacked.
And he was just holding himself, cringing. Finally Prabhupada said,
Go get Bali Mardan. So I ran downstairs. I found Bali. I said, Bali,
Prabhupada is so angry at the artists, Radhaballabha, me and you.
You better come upstairs immediately.
So Bali ran upstairs and Prabhupada just explained how everyone
is a rascal for daring to touch anything in his books.
His greatest anxiety is that when hes gone we will add bogus things
to his books and take out things which are bona fide. We will make
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 34
changes to the law books meant for the next 10,000 years and in that
way his legacy will be ruined and his plan destroyed by us because
of our tendency to change.
And Prabhupada gave an example that the disease to do things
differently is so inherent in the Americans that for the sake of doing
things differently we would walk on our hands rather than our feet.
He gave different examples like that. He called the artists Rascals!
So we promised Prabhupada that we wouldnt change the art. And
then I wrote the letter to the artists explaining to them everything.
I remember Bali Mardan went downstairs to call them up and I
remember watching the phone call. He called up the Press and asked
for Radhaballabha, (imitating Balis voice), Radhaballabha, guess
what just happened?
Prabhupada called you and all the artists rascals. He said youre all
rascals. Dead silence on the other end. And Bali, he was enjoying
this humiliation of the devotees that worked under him. So I saw
that and it was the beginning of my suspecting that somethings off
with Bali Mardan.
Youre never allowed to change anything in Prabhupadas books So
that was a big event, the first of many with the Isopanisad cover
and these paintings. The first of many experiences Ive had with
Prabhupada literally drilling me, pounding it into my head that
youre never allowed to change anything in his books.
He trained me so intensely on this point. Even when the changes
make sense he wouldnt let me change. Just to train me. One time
in early 1975 was it? When Prabhupada came to L. A.?
Baladeva Vidyabhusana: Yes, January, end of January.
the world.
And I never knew how much Prabhupada was involved in those de-
cisions. So it came as a great surprise and a great very wonderful,
very wonderful to see. So then in 1975 the Mayapur festival came
upon us. And it was at that time, due to my foolishness. Of course
being preoccupied with Bali, in the whole year of 74. Bali was really
in charge of the Press and I was in charge of the managing of the
BBT, but he was in charge of the Press.
that and then well go into 1975 with the Caitanya-caritamrtas and
the Radha-Damodar sankirtana and the building of Bombay.
And there was literally like a fight. Not even a fight, Prabhupada
was just furious. And he went on for about one hour talking about
the Krishna Book and how he had planned it out to be in two
volumes.
And it became very clear to me that Prabhupada was training me
to understand that these books are transcendental manifestations
of Prabhupadas devotion, Prabhupadas realization of God which
I consider to be perfect absolute God realization coming from
Krishna Himself. And that no one is allowed to change anything.
The size, the shape, the number of pages, everything. Actually
Prabhupada did make the decisions. If you read through the letters
that Prabhupada wrote to me and to Radhaballabha youll see.
That is what the 12 Cantos are going to look like. Prabhupada was
very happy to see that we had made a plan. But then he got very
grave and said, Now, this is the final plan, this is the final approved
standard, there can never be any more changes. He was emphatic,
he was insistent, and he pounded it into our heads. I was there with
Radhaballabha I think Jagannathasuta was there, Prabhupada Krpa
Maharaja was there.
Baladeva Vidyabhusana: Where was this?
page spread on the inside front cover and the inside page, thats
called the dye cut.
And many books, especially like thriller books, horror books, ghost
books, those kind of books use this technique. So I though that
Beyond Birth and Death as a title and as a book lent itself to that.
So I proposed it to Prabhupada. He completely smashed the idea.
This was inside his room, myself and Radhaballabha. At this time
we were showing Prabhupada theI cant remember what we were
showing him. We were showing him something, maybe color art or
something. But anyway, when we presented this idea to him he
smashed it and again he gave us a lecture on changes.
He used to say, Change, change, change, for the sake of change.
This changing business is the disease that the Americans have. Its
a disease. And he told this story, I just cant remember it but I
think its written in one of the letters too and Tamal Krishna will
remember it.
That if an American, just to be different, instead of walking on his
feet hell walk on his hands. Just to be different. Change without
real purpose. Now in that letter that I wrote to the artists in 1974,
so many specific points are made about changing. When youre
allowed to change and when youre not.
Baladeva Vidyabhusana: You dont have a copy of that?
Ramesvara: I can find a copy. Its a good thing to refer to. Especially
he talked about, as I said earlier, You can add things but you cant
delete. If you want to replace a painting you have to actually make
an improvement and do the exact same subject matter. Once its
approved its eternal. That was his quote. Once its approved its
eternal.
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 42
So, he was very involved in the designing of the book, the format.
We talked to Prabhupada about the number of pages, we talked
to Prabhupada about gold stamping, we talked to him about color
pictures, ultimately he wanted 50 color pictures in each book.
Prabhupada was a very active publisher, not just author. He was a
very active publisher. We would discuss with him as weve already
mentioned about the Macmillan contract, about American printer
versus Japanese printer, Prabhupada would give us the go ahead
and we would go.
And by the momentum of his order we would become expert in
international publishing. We became expert in understanding the
publishing industry of different countries, the paper industry of
different countries, we became expert in negotiating, but all of this
was by Prabhupadas order.
How he moved into Dai Nippon and established a credit, how he
authorized us to move away from Dai Nippon. Prabhupada was an
active publisher, he was not just someone who just turned it all over
and didnt know what was going on. We were sending him monthly
reports. I had to send Prabhupada a monthly report during his life
on the income of the BBT, on the expenses of the BBT, on all the
loans of the BBT and how current they are, on the production that
the BBT is engaged in and the upcoming production, on the quantity
of books printed. Prabhupada was getting monthly reports and he
was writing me letters indicating he was reading them.
Its not like I was just mailing them and they werent read to him.
He was reading them and he was writing back comments. What
about this?, What about that? So Prabhupada was not just an
active author, he was an active publisher.
He was involved in designing. He created the marketing strategy
which involved as I mentioned this ingenious, ingenious idea of
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 45
That evening in 1976 he wouldnt tell us. Then another part of that
visit was news reporters coming to visit Prabhupada. I remember
one incident in particular. This was printed in Prabhupada Remem-
brances in BTG, so it can be referred to. We had this reporter who
just could not believe that any human being could actually know
God and speak with God.
He just didnt believe that those things could happen, that God
speaks to somebody, a person can hear God speaking. He was very
doubtful and he was challenging Prabhupada in the interview about
this. I spoke up at that time and I said, Well, according to the
Bhagavatam, the intelligence of the living being comes from God,
knowledge, remembrance, and forgetfulness comes from God.
And intelligence is described in the Bhagavatam as the form direc-
tion of the Lord. So whats happening is God is within the heart of
the devotee as well as the nondevotee. But for the devotee, God is
actually transcendentalizing, spiritualizing his intelligence.
So through his intelligence, which is the form direction of the
Supersoul, the devotee knows exactly what to do and that is actually
under the direction of God. So I explained it like that. Prabhupada
looked at me and frowned and said, No. It is not like that. It is not
like that at all. Why do you say like that?
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 46
There were two ways we knew. One is this very amazing letter
that Prabhupada wrote. Lets see if I can find it. Its a letter that
Prabhupada wrote to all Governing Body Commissioners on May
19, 1976. This is a most amazing letter: My dear GBC disciples,
please accept my blessings.
Over the past ten years I have given the framework and now we
have become more than the British Empire. Even the British Empire
was not as expansive as we. They had only a portion of the world
and we have not completed expanding. We must expand more
and more, unlimitedly. But I must now remind you that I have to
complete the translation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
This is the greatest contribution. Our books have given us a re-
spectable position. People have no faith in this church or temple
worship. Those days are gone. Of course we have to maintain
the temples as it is necessary to keep our spirits high. Simply
intellectualism will not do.
There must be practical purification. So I request you to relieve me
of management responsibilities more and more so that I can com-
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 47
So, from letters like this and also from the purports of the Caitanya-
caritamrta describing how Vrindavana dasa was writing and how
Krishna dasa was writing.
Prabhupada explains transcendental literature is not written by
ordinary men. It is written by men who are God realized. God
speaks the book within their heart and they are simply recording
the message of God in that way.
So the combination of these kinds of letters and Prabhupadas
purports, we already knew that when Prabhupada writes his books
Srila Prabhupadas explicit desire 48
Ramesvara dasa
Authorization
Every line is perfect
Resistance to change
I will have to see personally what are the mistakes in the synonyms
and also how you intend to correct them. I was not satisfied with
the corrections that were made before. I saw some changes which I
did not approve. Nitai may correct whatever mistakes are there, but
the corrected material must be sent to me for final approval.
(Letter to Radhaballabha dasa dated 1-5-76.)
Srila Prabhupada never gave anyone carte blanche to make revi-
sions in his books. This letter confirms that any changes to his books
would require his personal approval before being printed.
A few months later, the issue of change was raised again by Radha-
ballabha dasa regarding the text of several volumes of the Srimad-
Bhagavatam which were soon to be reprinted. Srila Prabhupada
advised him, There is no need for corrections for the First and
Second Cantos. Whatever is there is all right.
(Letter of 5-4-76.)
Authorization 50
Locanananda dasa
Govinda dasi
Cattle raising
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu himself, had clearly pointed out that this
is an apparent error and is apparently wrong.
Furthermore in the purport to that seventy-fourth verse, mentioned
above, Srila Prabhupada mentions nothing; only at the end of the
chapter, after Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja concludes his narration,
does Srila Prabhupada even mention the apparent mistake.
That Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 9. 358 purport is cited here
for your reference:
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura points out that in the
seventy-fourth verse of this chapter it is stated that Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu visited the temple of Siyali-bhairavi, but actually at
Siyali, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited the temple of Sri Bhu-
varaha. Near Siyali and Cidambaram there is a temple known as
Sri Musnam. In this temple there is a Deity of Sri Bhu-varaha. In
the jurisdiction of Cidambaram there is a district known as southern
Arcot.
The town of Siyali is in that district. There is a temple of Sri Bhu-
varahadeva nearby, not Bhairavi-devi. This is Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakuras conclusion.
This is a very good lesson to make a clear and prominent note of
how Srila Prabhupada, the teacher by example, has chosen to edit
(or rather not edit) the words of the spiritual masters or previous
acaryas writings.
[]
We will cite another place were Srila Prabhupada left a seeming
mistake as it is, even though it may be considered wrong.:
Ambikavana is situated somewhere in the Gujarat province. Am-
bikavana is said to be situated on the river Sarasvati, yet we do not
find any Sarasvati River in the Gujarat province; the only river there
is Savarmati. In India, all the big places of pilgrimage are situated on
nice rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Narmada, Godavari,
Kaveri, etc. Ambikavana was situated on the bank of Sarasvati, and
Authorization 58
all the cowherd men and Nanda Maharaja went there. (Krishna
Book, 1970 edition Volume 1 Chapter 33/Vidyadhara Liberated and
the Demon Sankhasura Killed.)
In this quote from Srila Prabhupadas original Krishna Book, Prab-
hupada mentions that although it says, Ambikavana is said to be
situated on the river Sarasvati, yet we do not find any Sarasvati
River in the Gujarat province Prabhupada does not change the
text to correct the seeming mistake. (Prahlad Nrsimha dasa, Srila
Prabhupadas Instructions on editing are in his own books.)
The article has additional examples and many other interesting
points in regard to the topic of book changes. Sastra also confirms
that the mistakes of the acaryas should not be corrected:
Anyone who finds any fault with a devotees description of Kr-
ishna is a sinner. If a devotee writes a poem, no matter how poorly
he does it, it will certainly contain his love for Krishna. A fool says
visnaya while a scholar knows the correct form is visnave, but
Krishna accepts the sentiment in either case. If anyone sees a fault
in this, the fault is his, for Krishna is pleased with anything the
pure devotee says. You too describe the Lord with words of love, so
what arrogant person would dare criticize anything that you have
written?
(Caitanya Bhagavata 1.11.105-110.)
The conclusion is that there is no mention of posthumous editing
in Srila Prabhupadas teachings other than:
Your suggestion that in the future any mistakes which are found
can be reported to Satsvarupa Maharaja, Jayadvaita Prabhu, Radha-
ballabha Prabhu, or yourself, and after sufficient investigation and
confirmation these mistakes can be rectified is accepted.
(Letter to Ramesvara from Tamala Krishna, July 22, 1977.)
Besides the obvious problem that none of the changes made post-
1977 can be approved by Srila Prabhupada, there is also the problem
that hardly any of the changes made to the Gita have been suffi-
ciently investigated. The changes were made by Jayadvaita Swami
more or less alone. And as we see there are many discrepancies
in his editing. And most of his changes are directly violating clear
instructions from Srila Prabhupada. For example, Srila Prabhupada
did not want any needless changes.
As you know, and as we kept in mind while doing the work, Srila
Prabhupada staunchly opposed needless changes.
(Jayadvaita Swami, letter to Amogha lila, 1986.)
But the Gita (and other books) are filled with thousands of needless
changes. Many of these are mentioned in the e-book No Reply from
BBTI which can be easily found on the arsaprayoga.com website.
So even if we for arguments sake accept the conclusion that
some changes could be made posthumously (for which there is no
evidence), then we would still be in a situation where the BBTI has
violated the instructions on how Srila Prabhupada wanted his books
edited while he was still around to supervise the work.
You may title this book, Teachings of Lord Kapila, but it must be
subtitled, The Son of Devahuti. That will remain, do not try to
change it. The Americans may like it or not like it, but we must make
Authorization 60
Also, I have not received any edited versions of the tapes which
I have sent you from Europe. So please send them to me as soon
as possible, keeping carbon copies with you in Boston. If there are
discrepancies in your editing techniques between the beginning and
later chapters, please inform me what they are so we can make the
corrections here.
Srila Prabhupada letter to Karunasindhu, November 9, 1975, Bom-
bay:
My dear Karuna Sindhu dasa,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated
October 24, 1975 and I have noted the contents. I am very glad
to receive your letter. I can understand this cunning Purusottama
dasa has taken advantage of your simplicity. So any one of my
godbrothers cannot help me in this way of book writing because
they are unfortunate in the matter of preaching work.
They are simply trying to infiltrate our society to so something
harmful by their attempt. So please do not have any correspondence
with this Purusottama or any of my godbrothers, so-called. And do
not do anything without consulting me. You can inform this in-
struction to everyone and send back to me the sheets of corrections
sent to you by Purusottama.
I was very much anxious to know how Purusottama entered in our
camp. Now the matter is clear. Be careful for further dealings with
such men.
I hope this finds you in good health.
Srila Prabhupada letter to Radhaballabha, August 26, 1975, Vrinda-
ban:
Regarding the English editing discrepancies, that how can I know?
Let them point out which part and on which page so I can see.
Srila Prabhupada letter to Radhaballabha, November 3, 1974, India:
Regarding the indexing for Srimad-Bhagavatam, that has caused
some confusion. From you letter it appears that you are printing
a one volume index covering the first four Cantos, in a softcover
Authorization 63
edition. But, the indexes for the First and Second Cantos have
already been published at the concluding volume of the Canto.
Why are you now changing the procedure? Since the indexes for
the first two Cantos have already appeared, why not just publish
indexes for the next two Cantos which have not yet appeared? And,
even if you bring out indexes for all the first four Cantos, since the
entire work is not yet completed, you will again have to do the work
over again when the succeeding Cantos are published.
Anyway you can do it as you are doing it, but it is advisable to
consult directly with Srila Prabhupada on such a matter specially if
you are making some change in any of the publishing, that should
be consulted with Srila Prabhupada first. Kindly do this.
Srila Prabhupada letter to Radhaballabha, August 26, 1976, Delhi:
You may title this book, Teachings of Lord Kapila, but it must be
subtitled, The Son of Devahuti. That will remain, do not try to
change it.
The Americans may like it or not like it, but we must make the
distinction between Devahuti putra Kapila, and the atheistic Kapila.
Do not try to change anything without my permission.
From Srila Prabhupadas letters we can also understand that keep-
ing editors with him was preferable. Srila Prabhupada could thus
oversee any changes they were making.
Srila Prabhupada letter to Dhananjaya, July 13, 1976, Philadelphia:
Regarding Nitai, he is now travelling with me for some immediate
editing work. Afterwards you can consult with Ramesvara what
will be his program.
Srila Prabhupada letter to Jayadvaita, May 15, 1971, Sydney:
One thing, I do not regularly receive copies of books and magazines
which are new, so if you will kindly send me whenever they come
out sample copies of all our literatures, I shall be very thankful.
As I have informed, Pradyumna and Syamasundara will be sending
you regularly completed transcriptions of my translation work by
Authorization 64
post, that will avoid the high cost of sending tapes, which besides
are very expensive and may be lost easily in mail, and because I
am here if they have questions I can answer and make the final
proofreading, and this will expedite everything.
Locanananda dasa
The first story takes place in Mayapur where Srila Prabhupada was
talking about why he came to the material world. Srila Prabhupada
said: He, (meaning Krishna) asked me to come here and I said that
I did not want to go because it was such a dirty place. He (meaning
Krishna) told me, If you go I will arrange so many nice palaces
for you to live in. I said, But I do not want to go. He (meaning
Krishna) said, You just go and write these books and I will make it
comfortable for you.
So Srila Prabhupada said, Because He asked me to write these
books I came.
So here it is quite clear that the main reason why Srila Prabhupada
came to this world was to write these books by the order of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna. Is Jayadvaita
Swami a nitya siddha eternal associate of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna who was ordered to come here to edit
these books? If not then he should leave the books alone!
Once in Bombay Srila Prabhupada ordered me to come to his room
and listen to him preach to some life members. I sat there and
listened for almost an hour. After they left he started to chastise
me.
Why are you not coming here everyday to listen to me preach. You
are one of my leaders if you do not learn how to preach from me
then what will happen? Then he quoted a verse in Sanskrit from
Bhagavad-gita and asked me if I knew this verse in English, where
it was in the Gita, and what the meaning was. I unfortunately had
no answers.
Are you reading my books everyday? he asked. I admitted my
Authorization 66
Bhagavat dasa
Authorization 67
Galley proofs
Did you know that Prabhupada signed the galley proofs/the blueprint
of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and according to Brahmananda dasa
(at that time Swami) Prabhupada read the complete galley proofs
before approving them to be sent to Macmillan to be used for
printing what became the original and authorized 1972 edition of
Bhagavad-gita As It Is?
Brahmananda: I came up to show Prabhupada the galley proofs
for both Teachings of Lord Caitanya and Bhagavad-gita As It Is. I
just happened to have both galley proofs that had arrived. So it was
a wonderful thing to bring these galley proofs to Prabhupada for
checking. I was there only for a few days, maybe a weekend or so.
Prabhupada personally read through the entire galleys and made
notations in his own hand. He did the proofreading of the galleys.
Everything was done by Srila Prabhupada. It was a very personal
kind of thing. Of course, that gave Prabhupada great pleasure
because he wanted his books published, and we had started to do
it. So Prabhupada took great pleasure in proofreading those galleys.
And he handed them to me, and it was very wonderful.
(SPL 7-4: A Summer in Montreal, 1968.)
books.
Locananandana dasa
Andrew Whitlock
Here are some important words from Jayadvaita Swami, the prin-
cipal editor to Srila Prabhupadas books after His Divine Graces
departure. On the policy of editing:
Arsa prayoga is a very important principle. The editor should
never have the mentality that he is better than the author, that
he has something more to contribute than the author does, that
the author really doesnt know what he is doing, but he knows
what he is doing. Thats offensive and that ruins everything. It
is an offense to the acarya. The idea however that this sort of
sanctity that the author has, or that the words of the author has,
somehow extends to the mistakes of the editors is weird. It is
Authorization 75
Govinda dasi
Authorization 76
final editor [for the 1972 edition]. [inaudible] The unabridged edi-
tion, uh, the unabridged edition, um, I was the production manager
at the time[inaudible] and, for that edition, Hayagriva had some
manuscripts already with him. And, he called for whatever other
manuscripts we had available at that time at ISKCON Press.
Jayadvaita also claims that Srila Prabhupada was not involved
in the 1972 edition except that there were some meetings. Then
he admits that he doesnt really know if Srila Prabhupada worked
on the manuscript with Hayagriva, He [Hayagriva] may have, for
some brief time, spent some time with Prabhupada. Its possible.
Then he repudiates that statement by saying, he just didnt have,
couldnt possibly.
Above Jayadvaita has said that Hayagriva was not the final editor
of the Bhagavad-gita 1972 edition and that Rayarama was the final
editor.
Jayadvaita then leads us to believe that he edited the manuscript
himself before Hayagriva edited it, yet he still refers to the manuscript
as Hayagrivas manuscripts.
Jayadvaita Swami: I worked with Hayagrivas manuscripts; I
worked with manuscripts that Hayagriva had not yet edited; I
worked with manuscripts that Rayarama had worked on; I retyped
the entire Bhagavad-gita As It Is from, from beginning to end.
So out of Jayadvaita Swamis own account of the production of
the 1972 edition of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, we can gather the
following points that he makes:
replies:
Jayadvaita Swami: Some of the very few verses that we had
issues with, theres no question in my mind that Prabhupada didnt
see them.
Govinda dasi: You mean there were errors?
Jayadvaita Swami: Um, I mean there were, um, yes.
Govinda dasi: Typos?
Jayadvaita Swami: No, I dont mean typos. I mean, um, no, Im
reluctant to talk about it, Govinda dasi. Ive always had the policy
that as a matter of professional courtesy and personal courtesy, um,
I talk about all positive things, um, in the editing of the first edition.
And as far as possible Id like to keep that policy.
Jayadvaita Swami does not give us enough information to go on
what exactly he did on the Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972 edition, he
admits that the BBT staff had issues with very few verses so we
guess that he fixed them, after all he was in discussion with Srila
Prabhupada about it through letters, of course after claiming that
Srila Prabhupada was not involved.
Not only do we have evidence from Govinda dasis personal state-
ment about Hayagriva and Srila Prabhupada and Hayagrivas own
personal account The Hare Krishna Explosion that they were
working closely on the revision of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972
manuscript, but we have evidence from Srila Prabhupadas personal
letters as well.
From Srila Prabhupada: I thank you very much for your letter
dated March 9, 1968. I have come back to San Francisco on the
8th March, and while I was in Los Angeles for two months, I
received the balance portion of Bhagavad-gita edited by you. I am
expecting the foreword also, but I can understand that it was not
yet dispatched.
So, when it is prepared you can send it to me here in San Francisco
I am so glad to understand that you are missing the atmosphere of
San Francisco which you so nicely enjoyed last year, and similarly,
Authorization 82
Rasananda dasa
make ghee. I finish the chapter: twenty pages, double spaced with
wide margins. The original had filled only eight pages.
Let me know if theres any more work, I tell him. I can take it
back to Mott Street and type there. More? Yes, he says. There is
lots more. He opens the closet door and pulls out two large bundles
tied with saffron cloth. Within, he shows me thousands of pages of
single spaced, margin less manuscripts of literatures unknown in
the Western world. I stand before them, astounded. Its a lifetime
of typing, I protest. Oh, yes! he smiles happily. Many lifetimes
The Manuscript! Two large bundles tied with saffron cloth. Thou-
sands of pages of single spaced, margin less manuscripts, brought
across from India
For two years (1964-65 and again in 1969) Hayagriva worked
as an Associate Professor of English at Ohio State University in
Columbus, Ohio. During this time he established the first Columbus
ISKCON Temple. In 1969 he worked at Ohio State University from
Tuesday through Thursday, and worked at New Vrindaban from
Friday through Monday, building cabins, repairing the old farm-
house and barn, preparing for Srila Prabhupadas month-long visit
in May 1969, and spending the money he earned in Ohio for supplies
for his West Virginia spiritual home. Hayagriva was instrumental
in attracting some of his students to Krishna consciouness; a few
came to New Vrindaban and were initiated by Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada considered Hayagriva one of the leaders of his society,
and appointed him as one of the twelve original members of the
first GBC during July 1970. It is clear from reading Prabhupadas
letters, that Hayagriva was dearly loved by Prabhupada.
The working relationship continued. Srila Prabhupada encouraging
Hayagriva to take on more editing and writing service.
Swamiji calls me into his room. I bow and sit facing him, sensing
something special.
I am thinking it will be nice if you write a play about Lord
Authorization 92
Caitanya, he tells me. I will give you the whole plot complete.
Then all you will have to do is execute it.
For two days, I sit in Swamijis room listening to his account of the
life of Lord Caitanya. At this time, Swamiji is also lecturing on the
Caitanya-caritamrta. There is also a translation of Caitanya-cari-
tamrta going about, translated by Nagendra Kumar Roy. Swamiji
reads a bit of this translation and quickly finds a discrepancy. It is
over one word, rheumatism, which has been translated incorrectly
from the Bengali. Swamiji immediately brands Mr. Kumar Roy a
sentimentalist. The translation is inaccurate. Throw it out.
I will give you all you need to know, he tells me.
I tape record the outline and interrupt only when the action isnt
clear.
On the second day, Swamiji tells of the passing of Haridasa Thakur,
one of Lord Caitanyas principal disciples. Recounting the details,
Swamiji becomes strangely indrawn, as if it were all happening
before him.
When Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Haridasa on the last day of
Haridasas life, Swamiji says, the Lord asked, Haridasa, what do
you desire? They both could understand. Haridasa said, It is my
last day. If You would kindly stand before me Swamiji suddenly
falls silent a moment and looks down at his hands. So Caitanya
Mahaprabhu stood before him, he continues, speaking softly, his
eyes filling with tears. And Haridasa left his body.
Then Swamiji sits there crying silently within. It is a silence I can
hear above the street noises and hum of the tape recorder. I stare at
the floor, then look up, embarrassed, feeling I shouldnt be in the
room. As I begin to ask a question, Swamiji again speaks.
After his departure, he says, the body was taken by the Lord to
the seashore, and the devotees dug his grave, which is still there,
Haridasa Thakurs samadhi. And Caitanya Mahaprabhu took up
Authorization 93
the dead body and began to dance with the body at kirtan. Thus
Haridasas funeral ceremony was conducted by the Lord Himself.
And Swamiji continues outlining the play as though nothing had
happened, his sudden, silent weeping passing with the wind (The
Hare Krishna Explosion, Part II: San Francisco, 1967 by Hayagriva
dasa Adhikari.)
Although I write on the Lord Caitanya play through the spring
days, my primary service is helping Swamiji with Bhagavad-gita.
He continues translating, hurrying to complete the manuscript but
still annotating each verse thoroughly in his purports.
Daily, I consult him to make certain that the translation of each
verse precisely coincides with the meaning he wants to relate. Edit
for force and clarity, he tells me. By Krishnas grace, you are a
qualified English professor. You know how grammatical mistakes
will discredit us with scholars. I want them to appreciate this
Bhagavad-gita as the definitive edition. All the others try to take
credit away from Krishna.
I am swamped with editing. Since much of the text is equivocal due
to grammar, I find myself consulting Swamiji on nearly every verse.
It seems that in Sanskrit, Hindi, and Bengali, phrase is tacked onto
phrase until the original subject is lost.
No one has yet asked Swamiji the language in which he thinks.
Bengali, I presume, but for all I know it may be Hindi or Sanskrit. He
often says that Sanskrit is the language of the demigods, the original
language, and that all other languages descend from it. Indeed, it
was the very language used by Krishna when He spoke Bhagavad-
gita millions of years ago to the sun god Vivasvan, and then five
thousand years ago to Arjuna at Kurukshetra. All seven hundred
verses sung in Sanskrit.
Swamiji sweeps away archeological and philological pronounce-
ments with a disdainful sweep of his hand.
Letter to Hayagriva: Although I am practically on the path of
death, still I cannot forget about my publications. I wish that if I
Authorization 94
live or die you should take very serious care for my publications.
Immediately I want to send Gitopanisad to Japan for publication.
The complete fair copy of Gitopanisad has to be submitted. I hope
you have completed fair copies of at least seven chapters. The
balance are typed from the dictaphone, and there does not appear
to be any possibility of their being edited here, so I think you have
to do it.
After sending fair copies of what you have done already you will
have to edit the dictaphone copies. The original verse (Sanskrit) is to
be taken from Dr. RadhaKrishnans edition, and the word to word
English equivalent, as well as the translation and purport is to be
found already on the dictaphone copies. The only thing you have
to do is to place them properly and to make the complete fair copy.
I am thinking of going to San Francisco just after getting some
strength, which I hope I will get by the end of the month; but in
case I cannot go, you have to do it carefully, and send it to Japan.
Please, therefore, let me know whether youll do it. If you say yes,
then I will send you the dictaphone copies for doing the needful.
This will give me great relief, and I am expecting a reply as soon as
possible (New York, June 10th 1967.)
Hrshikesh dasa
Gurudeva etc. This poem and your many other writings give me
the impression that you are naturally thoughtful and philosophical,
and thus I am very much hopeful that in future you can give to
the world many nice things presented to the understanding of the
thoughtful men in this age. In that way, I wanted you to live with me
and be engaged in writing such things, getting ideas from me. But
we will have to wait for a few days more, and then I shall ask you
to leave completely from your present occupation in the university.
Letter to Hayagriva April 18, 1970:
So what you are now doing on the Bhagavad-gita manuscript is
alright, do it nicely. I have got the second part of Krishna also. I
want to send it to you, so when you are free let me know and I
will send it. Regarding the editing process, I am glad to know that
they are improving and doing nicely, but finally you should see each
manuscript before printing. That should be the arrangement.
Letter to Hayagriva May 22, 1970:
Yes, I have received the tape as well as your Chant booklet. I am
sorry they were not acknowledged earlier. I have asked Boston to
send you the Krishna Book tapes for part II. They are already edited,
and it is nice, still you can have a final glance over it. After your
final editing is the work retyped by Syama dasi.
Letter to Hayagriva September 19, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated
Sept. 5, 1970, and the essay The Spiritual Master: Emissary of
the Supreme Person enclosed therein. I have read it, and am glad
that you have understood the matter so thoroughly, and have now
substantiated your conclusions with so much scriptural proof.
Letter to Hayagriva November 8, 1970:
Your essay The Spiritual Master: Emissary of the Supreme Person
is so nice, so why not have ISKCON PRESS publish it and then all
our students can study it.
Letter to Hayagriva November 24, 1970:
Regarding printing of Bhagavad-gita complete and unabridged
Authorization 100
edition, it may be printed with our ISKCON PRESS and 5,000 copies
may be sent, printed and folded to BombayRegarding the missing
verses, I will see if it is required and will send you at a later date.
Letter to Hayagriva March 23, 1971:
I have read your article, Constitution of the Soul. It is very nice.
Such articles with scientific observation should be published in
BTG.
Letter to Hayagriva January 18, 1972:
But I am very pleased that you are writing constantly, so I would
recommend that you write different essays on our philosophy You
may also edit and compile my early 1966 lectures into a book. That
is very nice proposal.
into the subject matter. The titles are nice, so may you live long
and always do this service. If you have the idea to write a book
based on Caitanya-caritamrta, that is nice, I approve so we shall
be sending more and more material because you say that you can
edit any amount we can supply, so I take that as a challenge and I
shall try to see if you can keep up with me.
Letter to Hayagriva April 27, 1972:
I wish also that you join me when I return to Los Angeles so that
the editing work may go on very efficiently. With both Pradyumna
and yourself at my side then the work will go on very speedily. It
is my serious desire to devote the fag end of my life to translating
Srimad Bhagavatam and so many other Vaishnava literatures so
by assisting me in this regards you will be performing the highest
service to Krishna.
Conversation with the GBC May 25, 1972:
Prabhupada: So, Hayagriva Prabhu is taking charge of pushing
this movement by help in editorial work. So that is most important
because we are distributing books. Our writing will be gospel.
Letter to Hayagriva July 7, 1972:
I am very much pleased to learn that you are more settled in mind
and peaceful, and that you are now editing my books nicely. That is
what I always wanted, that you shall simply edit books Now you
go on in this spirit independently of any other responsibilities and
produce books more and more, profusely. I have read some portion
of your Caitanya-caritamrta, and it is nice.
Remembrance from Bhutatma dasa:
Most evenings when he was in New Dwarka, Srila Prabhupada
would hold darshan in his garden. On one such occasion, he asked
for a devotee to read aloud from Krishna Book, while he sat
blissfully on his dais and listened with rapt attention. Following a
passage describing the Lords silver-electric blue two-armed form,
Prabhupada paused the reader, taking a moment to directly express
Authorization 102
copy editor) for the 1972 Bhagavad-gita As It Is. His article provides
the following information:
Andrew Whitlock
Jayadvaita Swami agrees that Srila Prabhupada did not ask him or
anyone else to revise and enlarge his Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
So how did it happen? Where did the authority come from for
ISKCONs current Revised and Enlarged edition? It seems just
after Srila Prabhupada left our material vision, Jayadvaita thought
it was a good idea to revise and enlarge Prabhupadas Gita, so he
did it.
Comparing each verse in the book with the text of the manuscript,
I made only those changes that to me seemed worthwhile. I tried
to be conservative and not make needless changes. (Jayadvaitas
letter to senior devotees, October 25, 1982.)
And what is his authority for this you may ask? As he said in the
letter to senior devotees, the text of the manuscript. I have made
it closer to the original manuscript.
Authorization 106
Madhudvisa dasa
with Srila Prabhupada and to endorse the more recent editing which
was done without directly consulting Srila Prabhupada. It appears
he is unaware that Srila Prabhupada made sure to include in his
contract with Macmillan a caveat (warning) that no changes were to
be made to the Bhagavad-gita As It Is without the written approval
of the author.
he could change all his books using the same method even after his
disappearance. But this is an unwarranted extrapolation, because
Jayadvaita Swami extrapolate far beyond the range of available
data, namely from one single instance of editing to more or less
all future instances of editing. But from his story no justification
for such an extrapolation can be found. The only conclusion to be
deduced (if the anecdote is at all true) is that what Jayadvaita Swami
did to the very specific verses he brought Prabhupada was okay. No
more, no less.
3. If Jayadvaita Swamis anecdote is true, then Prabhupada told him
that if he had made the text closer to what Prabhupada originally
said, then it was okay.
I have referred to articles where it is clearly documented that he
has:
in the books, etc. things that have already been changed so many
times in the past 20 years, without understanding of Prabhupadas
orders, that it makes the official opening of this change door
more ominous for the future, in ways we cant even imagine.
[]
an absolute position has to be reached so that before we die, we
know that within the BBT and ISKCON there could never again be
one single change, for any reason, ever made to Srila Prabhupadas
books.
[]
The Responsible Publishing (RP) paper has either a significant
misleading or a significant historical inaccuracy. There are sites
which claim to list more than 5,000 changes. Certainly there were
thousands of changes. The RP paper states that every change to the
translations was reviewed and approved by the Trustees, leading
ISKCON devotees, the GBC, etc. Later the RP cites or implies in
its endorsements that all the changes were approved. Of course, no
one other than the editors ever saw back in 1981 or 1982 ALL the
changes.
[]
No one back then did their job or acted with full responsibility
for what they were endorsing. l assure you that no one on that
Committee ever even asked to see all the changes, and we would
have been astounded to have learned in 1981 or 1982 that there were
thousands, maybe more than 5,000 changes. I lazily assumed that
the work done on manuscripts as close to the original as possible
was the only thing that mattered.
I failed to consider all the other Prabhupada instructions, the ram-
ifications for making changes if they didnt ultimately change the
meaning; the effect of changes that in some cases loses the flavor of
the Gita we had been studying for 10 years, and most importantly,
that breaks the etiquette of changing a Sampradaya Acaryas books
Authorization 113
after His disappearance and opens the change door for possible
future other changes over the decades and centuries to come. The
RP paper implies that the changes were carefully reviewed and
approved throughout the leadership of the BBT, GBC and ISKCON.
I am certain that by interviewing all the leaders of that time, we
would find most guilty of the same mistake that I made. It is true to
state that the leaders of ISKCON at the time endorsed the changes.
However, it is overtly misleading to state or suggest that the leaders
actually performed a careful review. And getting back to the fact
that there are thousands of changes, no leader, including the BBT
Trustees, was ever shown every single change. No one! That is the
sad historical fact
[]
I know that in talking years ago with others on that committee,
that they also admitted performing only a cursory review of the
proposed changes
Ramesvara dasa
Conclusion
Andrew Whitlock
Again, this also is not the real issue. The real issue is that if
there is to be post-samadhi editing, it must be done correctly,
according to the accepted protocol that is already established in
the world of publishing. Otherwise, Srila Prabhupadas books are
not considered to be authentic renditions of his writings, and are
no longer acceptable to scholars. There are certain requirements
for post-samadhi editing. These must be met. And the BBTI has
not met those requirements in their post-samadhi editions. The
post-samadhi edition (editions) have not been correctly labeled
according to the rules of publication. It is essential that any and all
post-samadhi editions be dated and numbered, and that the editor
(editors) names be prominently displayed on the cover and/or title
page.
There are other elements of proper protocol as well, and these can
be easily accessed. If everyone can come to understand this most
essential point, there will be no conflict. Both editions can exist
simultaneously, along with any and all future editions that may
be done. But they must be properly tagged with the editors name,
date of the edition, and number of the edition, in order to gain any
respect or credibility in the academic world. This is the accepted
procedure which also clearly defines what material was printed
during an authors lifetime, and whatever was printed after his
demise. We cannot change these protocol according to our whims,
or our preferences for this edition or that edition.
To do so simply invalidates Srila Prabhupadas books, and means
they can be changed whimsically in the future. This puts his
writings at risk for becoming like the edited Biblical texts no one
really knows which edition is which, or what the original one even
says. This matter can be settled once and for all, by having all post-
samadhi editions follow the accepted protocol.
Once this is done, there will no longer be any contentious issues.
The edition that was printed during Srila Prabhupadas lifetime will
clearly be the original edition, and those editions that have been
Proper editing procedures 122
printed since his demise will be properly numbered and dated, and
their various editors names will appear on the cover and/or title
page.
Once this is done, people can choose the edition they prefer, and
there will be no grounds for criticism. There will be no accusations
of shabby, unprofessional presentations (as have been made by
scholars) and no deceptiveness in the matter of book reviews
written for the earlier edition. This correction will establish Srila
Prabhupadas books once again in the collegiate community, as they
will honor the system used by scholars everywhere. This is what
needs to be corrected, once and for all.
Govinda dasi
Andrew Whitlock
Proper editing procedures 123
Universities acceptance
BBTI has broken just about every rule. Which is why their Bha-
gavad-gita cannot be accepted by Universities. How does a student
write the citation? The 1972 edition, which is the original, suddenly
has 4986 changes (at the last count) and all this just happened
transcendentally.
The returning to the manuscript story is plain nonsense. Jayad-
vaita Swamis own website says he did his changes on the 1972
originalthen he lost that copy for a few years. So what did he
do? He found himself in a position to get hold of the manuscript,
which had been signed off by Srila Prabhupada, and decided seeing
as he had lost all the work he did previously, why not correct
Hayagrivas editing, why not start again (time being something that
most devotees have plenty of) and do this as a service.
Then he found the book with his original textual notes correcting
Hayagrivaand put the two things together, presented it to GBC
who, as Ramesvara says, didnt bother to read much of itand went
ahead as the BBTI editor (unqualified since he has no degree) with
the second edition.
Then some older devotees started noticing changes, mentioned this
and thought the copyright laws would save the dayBut BBTI
lawyers had that one covered and obtained the copyrights, naming
Srila Prabhupada as an author for hire.
Andrew Whitlock
Editors qualification
with the original verses used in the Macmillan Gita of Srila Prab-
hupada.
Example: Macmillan Gita: 2.48: Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna.
Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure.
Such evenness of mind is called yoga.
Revised Gita 2.48: Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, aban-
doning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is
called yoga.
The changes to the above verse illustrate the problems created
by Jayadvaita Swami, which are seen by practically all devotees.
Firstly, the changes are unnecessary. The Macmillan version is
clear. Secondly, there are subtle changes in meaning in the revision.
Thirdly, the incompetence of the editors is plainly revealed; a basic
grammatical mistake is introduced by Jayadvaita Swami.
Perform your duty equipoised should actually be Perform your
duty equipoisedly. Thus, Jayadvaita has used an adjective when
an adverb would be correct. However, this phrase that Jayadvaita
has created, Perform your duty equipoised (or equipoisedly) is
awkward English and especially when compared with the original
Macmillan verse.
Ramesvara dasa
Meaning of revised
Oxford Dictionary
meaning of revised:
-To reconsider and change or modify.
-Altered or revised by rephrasing or by adding or deleting material.
-Reconsider and alter (something) in the light of further evidence:
he had cause to revise his opinion a moment after expressing it.
Macmillan
Andrew Whitlock
Proper editing procedures 127
Ramesvara dasa
Editing ad infinitum
Andrew Whitlock
It has never been done before. No one has ever taken a book which
has best seller status, a few million readers, wonderful reviews and
rewritten it from the original manuscript.
The almost 5,000 changes made to His Divine Grace Srila Prab-
hupadas masterpiece, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, is an act beyond
description. And this has been done with complete anonymity. The
changes in style and grammar should be obvious to anyone who
has listened to Srila Prabhupadas recorded lectures.
The accepted standard for posthumous editing is that the editors
name appears on the cover of the book, or on the title page at the
front of the book before the table of contents.
There are many examples of this:
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, 1924:
Published by Little, Brown and Company of Boston.
Emily Dickinson died on May 15, 1886. Her work was published
posthumous and the Editor did make some changes to the original
manuscript, all of which are documented. This work had not been
published during Emily Dickinsons lifetime. The editors name
appears on the cover of all the works.
Andrew Whitlock
Proper editing procedures 129
Conclusion
We know the proper protocol for post-samadhi editing has not been
followed by BTT International. In addition to this: Can BBTI show
just one change in Prabhupadas books made post-samadhi that
does not violate at least one of the above points?
If just one change in the 1983 edition violates just one of the above
points, then that change is offensive and a sign of disloyalty to
Prabhupada. I have not seen one change in the 1983 edition that was
true to all the above points. I therefore consider the 1983 edition as
being offensive and disloyal to Prabhupada.
Incorrect observations: A common mistake is to think that the 1983
unauthorized edition is revised from the first draft.
There is clearly a difference between the first drafts and the 1983
edition. Thousands of large and small differences.
So, reading this side by side comparison (as shown in the corre-
sponding section of this book) do we think sure enough, the editor
was just changing it back to the original draft, written by Srila
Prabhupada?
Changes 133
No. There are certainly places were BBT International has not
changed back to the first drafts. For example, the word eternal has
been taking out of verse 2.18, even though Prabhupada referred back
to this word in his lectures in this specific verse.
So to change the 1972 Complete Edition back to the so called
original which are actually only drafts is to override thousands of
editorial decisions and approvals made by Prabhupada. Remember
that it was also Prabhupadas editorial decision to use Hayagriva as
editor. So to override Hayagrivas decisions (many of which were
made in close consultation with Prabhupada and the rest approved
by Prabhupada before publishing) is also to override Prabhupadas
editorial decisions.
I guess we do not really know that. Shouldnt Prabhupada be the
final decision-maker on this? Did Prabhupada want his first drafts
published like this (yes, no, maybe?)? Did he want another book
explaining all the faults in his 1972 edition? (yes, no, maybe?) Or
did he prefer us to stick to the arsa prayoga principle and simply
overlook the transcendental faults due to our love for Prabhupada
as our eternal well-wisher and master? (yes, no, maybe?) Its all
guesswork and we ought not make editorial decisions based on
guesswork.
Why not just read the 1972 edition which Prabhupada approved,
loved and lectured from for almost six years and make progress in
spiritual life without getting entangled in finding faults with the
Sampradaya Acarya.
Imagine you write the first draft of a book and appoint an editor.
You work with your editor on a daily basis for months until together
you produce a manuscript you are happy with and your book is
Changes 134
published. Your book becomes a worldwide best seller and you are
very happy with it.
It is a spiritual book and by reading it many of the readers have
life-changing experiences. They also become very attached to your
book. Your book is praised by scholars worldwide with rave re-
views.
Then many years later, after you have left your body, somebody
finds the first draft of your book and decides to correct your
published book based on your first draft. Of course you were never
intending to publish this first draft.
That is why you spent so much time and energy working with
your editor on that first draft to transform it into a manuscript you
actually wanted to present to the publishers. How angry would you
be with this fool who wants to undo your work and your editors
work by going back to the first draft?
The Publishers, by going back to the first draft, have eliminated
so many corrections and so much work that Srila Prabhupada
personally did on his book with Hayagriva and his other editors.
Andrew Whitlock
consciousness. Oh well
That concern naturally should haunt every BBT Trustee who takes
the duties of a trustee in the fullest sense that Srila Prabhupada
intended -as fiduciaries to protect the precious main asset of the
Trust, Srila Prabhupadas books.
The Lilamrita interviews I found tell of Srila Prabhupadas direct
instructions regarding the size of the books, the artwork to be kept
in the books, etc. -things that have already been changed so many
times in the past 20 years, Without understanding of Prabhupadas
orders, that it makes the official opening of this change door
more ominous for the future, in ways we cant even imagine.
As Ive written to Sriman Vaisesika Prabhu, this is a very com-
plicated issue, and an absolute position has to be reached so that
before we die, we know that within the BBT and ISKCON there
could never again be one single change, for any reason, ever made
to Srila Prabhupadas books.
I beg to remain your eternally aspiring servant In the service of the
BBT.
Ramesvara dasa
Post-samadhi editing
Govinda dasi
The thousands of changes that so many are concerned about are not
about mere errors. The changes went much beyond that, numbering
in the thousands.
Perfectly composed English sentences, paragraphs, expression and
much more was changed in such dramatic ways to the point of
changing and/or diluting meanings. That can not be called error
fixing. That is changing and its the problem so many devotees have
with it. The actual standard set by Srila Prabhupada, which is on the
record, was that there should be No Change to his books.
So Srila Prabhupada was so dissatisfied with his 72 Bhagavad- gita
that he allowed several printings to go on after the first? That he
himself lectured from it and even distributed it himself? In the
name of some small mistake, which may have been very very few
Changes 139
Bowdlerizing
between the work of the master and the apprentice. If the BBTI
decides not to attach the editors name, they do a discredit to Srila
Prabhupada and the devotees, readers, and scholars of the future.
One will think that the revisions were made by the original author.
If they want to squirm out of it by hiding the reviser in a preface,
this also is not standard practice.
Why not be honest? We all know that the new Bhagavad-gita is
not the one Srila Prabhupada left us. Also, does the BBTI want to
say that they are the revisers without mentioning the editors name?
History may show this to be foolish. Mention the editors name and
thereby keep the name of the BBTI as clear as possible.
If the BBTI is so concerned about being accepted in the scholarly
community, they should follow publishing standards so people
know what theyre reading, is it the original? and if not, what
edition is it and who did the editing? There may be many different
editions in the future. One may even foresee a danger of making
Srila Prabhupada a trade name.
Lets keep things clear, straightforward, and honest. Whos not to
say that a more advanced devotee than the current editors will
be present on the planet in 50 years who could better edit than
him? The BBTI is nave to think that they will make their current
Bhagavad-gita the last revision. Look at the history of the Bible
and see how history proves differently. The BBTI revised Srila
Prabhupadas book; whos not to stop the BBTI from revising the
revised edition 200 years from now?
Again, look at the example of the Bible. Prabhupadas books will be
here for 10,000 years, and its Kali Yuga. The only safe route is to
keep the original as Srila Prabhupada gave us, taught from, and had
us read and distribute while he was physically present with us.
Style
Style takes its final shape more from attitudes of mind than from
principles of composition. An elderly practitioner once said, Writ-
ing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.
This moral observation would have no place in a rulebook were it
not that style is the writer, and therefore what a man is, rather than
what he knows, will at last determine his style.
Andrew Whitlock
Andrew Whitlock
Changes 146
4984 or 94 mistakes?
Andrew Whitlock
I have not heard of any self taught editors. You might be able
to get away with proofreading, if you read a lot and are good at
spelling. But editing requires the study of a language. Here is a brief
description of both:
Editing
An editor will review and change your text with the intent to im-
prove the flow and overall quality of your writing. An editor has the
freedom to remove entire sentences or rewrite entire paragraphs.
A good editor will correct any obvious errors they come across,
but their main goal is to use their expertise and intuition to ensure
the book makes sense, cut down on wordiness, and clarify any
ambiguity.
Changes 148
Proofreading
Proofreading is the process of examining the final draft of a docu-
ment or text after it has been edited to ensure there are absolutely
no errors. A proofreader will review for spelling errors, punctuation
errors, typos or incorrect use of regional English (i.e. ensuring that
youre using American English or British English when necessary).
Example: Correction to BG 10.27. They once took a sea journey.
It was sea churning. But back in the old days in the storefront, no
one knew the real story.
So lets presume that we know the real story now. The book has
already been edited and the proofreader missed this error the first
time around. Theres no need for the proofreader to morph into an
Editor and start a complete rewrite!
Heres another simple example BG 10.29. A planet of trees? Its a
planet of ancestors (pitas), or pitrs (pronounced pi-trees).
How much easier this would have been if H.H. Jayadvaita Swami
had accepted the role of a simple proofreader. The editing had
already been done by a Professor of English, Howard Wheeler.
All that was needed was to review for spelling errors, punctuation
errors, typos or incorrect use of regional English (i.e. ensuring that
youre using American English or British English when necessary).
It should also be crystal clear that Professor Howard Wheeler is in
no way responsible for any spelling, typo, or punctuation errors.
That was the proofreaders job. The proofreaders at Macmillan
would have corrected many errors, but it seems that the publication
of the book had already been delayed a number of times. I believe
that had the copyrights remained with Macmillan, the second
printing of the book would have been perfect. Prof Wheeler did
a miraculous job, He was in fact the only editor at that time and
probably still is the only qualified editor the BBT has ever had.
The minimum qualification for an Editor is a Bachelor of Arts
Degree with English as a major subject.
Changes 149
The translators name shall appear on the cover and title page of
all editions of the book, and in all publicity and advertising copy
released by the Publisher, wherever the authors name appears, in a
type size not smaller than sixty (60%) percent of that for the authors
name. Publisher agrees to print Translators approved biography on
the back flap of the hardcover edition, on the back cover of any
trade paperback edition of the Translation, and the title page of any
electronic edition.
All books translated from His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupadas
original Bhagavad-gita As It Is, should have the name of the person
who translated the book, on the cover.
Andrew Whitlock
Intended meaning
Andrew Whitlock
Changes 150
If you revise a book cent per cent, as you have done, how can you
claim Srila Prabhupada wanted it that way? You can say you want
it that way, and then put your name on the cover as the Editor. Even
that, you could not do without obtaining the copyrights, taking over
the BBT and listing His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada as an author
for hire. His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada did not give approval
for your revision. Its a simple truth.
When I sit here to write, Krishna comes personally. He dictates to
me what to write. I take dictation from Krishna and I write these
books.
(His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. As told by Bhagavat dasa.)
After His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada left his body it was no
longer possible to get his approval for any further edits to the many
books He had left us. His instructions, as always, crystal clear. Do
not change my books.
So this new revised re edited back to the manuscript what Srila
Prabhupada would have wanted edition, has not been approved
by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The Bhagavad-gita has a
new editor, so anyone who hands out, sells or receives this revised
book, should be made aware of that.
Andrew Whitlock
Original Bhagavad-gita As It Is
Research
names of the editors on the cover and /or title page, as well as the
number of edition, and date of edit.
Otherwise, these books are not authentic, and not respected by
scholars.
I also sent the same inquires to two well know academics whove
written in academia, written books about scholarly publishing for
authors wanting to publish, as well as working as managing editors
in publishing houses.
In our research to document scholarly standards in publishing, I
contacted University Press and inquired about the accepted stan-
dards for acknowledging editors and revisers of posthumous theo-
logical texts.
Ive received responses and would like to share them with you. In
the next section, you can find the emails from those who responded
to our inquiries: they speak for themselves.
They support the claim, that along with the edition statement, the
editor/revisers name should also be included on the title page as
well as on the cover of the book.
Several editors not only made the point about acknowledging the
editor, but also raised legal questions concerning copyright of the
new editions.
Mr. Trimble
Kel lalita dasi contacted Dr. Trimble and he wrote a letter back,
which is a very interesting. Bear in mind that Dr. Trimble wrote
Writing With Style. Theres not a writer on earth that doesnt
have this book. There are two main reference books for writers
Elements of Style, by Strunk and White, and Writing With Style.
Keli lalita dasi wrote:
Changes 154
Mr. Wade
Satyaraja dasa
William Germano
Robin Derricourt
willing and able to revise. In the textbook context the first edition
might be by Jones and Smith, the eighth much revised edition
might be by Robinson, Williams, Taylor, Jones and Smith listed
in whatever order the publisher decides and without distinction
of who did what when. Just a textbook tradition though, and
occasionally for standard reference books.
Greys Anatomy combines both these exceptions!
Hope this helps your thinking. Good luck.
Robin Derricourt
Letter to experts
The following is a copy of the letter I sent so that you can see how
they responded specifically to my inquiry concerning what to put
on the title page.
Dear ____
Im an adult services public librarian inquiring about a publishing
protocol concerning editing/revising posthumous classical theolog-
ical texts.
How does one acknowledge the original author and its new editor?
The revisions are more than minor; the book will be considered a
new edition. I think its customary to put the revisers name under
the original authors name on the title page with an edition state-
ment. My research on this question hasnt really been definitive.
We want to make sure the edition is acceptable and authoritative
in scholarly circles. Recognizing (the publishers name) preeminent
standing, can you please tell us what your publishing convention is
in this regard?
I know your time is valuable so any information which you can
provide will be very helpful and appreciated.
Thank you.
Keli lalita dasi
Changes 160
Library of Congress
Georgetown
Deb
Deborah Weiner Editorial and Production Manager Georgetown
University Press
Saint Joseph
Notre Dame
Oxford
Julia
Julia Kostova Editor of Literature, Film, Linguistics, Religion, Phi-
losophy Oxford University Press
Princeton
The publishers full name (imprint) should be given on the title page
and is usually followed by the name of the city (or cities) where the
principal offices are located. The publishers logo may also appear
there. The year of publication is best omitted from the title page,
particularly if it conflicts with copyright information on page iv
(see 1.22).
There are also issues concerning the wording on the copyright
pageit may be necessary to specify that the copyright in the new
edition covers only the new material (e.g., apparatus, annotations).
Chicago 4.5 and 4.2527 may be useful on this score.
I hope Ive addressed your questionplease do let me know.
Best,
Lauren Lepow Senior Editor
Markett
Chicago
University of Chicago
Dear Ms. Keli lalita dasi,
Yes, I probably would. But these decisions are usually made by
consensus, and wed weigh various factors. Acquisitions might
have the deciding vote, knowing the most about the scale of the
editors contribution. If the decision was based more on convention
and precedent, wed defer to our managing editor and look to the
wisdom of the Chicago Manual of Style and its keepers. You might
submit the question to the CMOS Q&A web page.
Yours truly,
Alan G. Thomas Editorial Director, Humanities & Social Sciences
University of Chicago Press
to put the editors name on the title page. Its the form, or wording
thats not dictated by a rule or convention, as that is dictated by the
role and the extent of the role of the reviser or translator.
Cambridge
the editor/revisors name on the title page and even cover of this
edition. The following is a description of what the Tyndale Bible is.
The Tyndale Bible generally refers to the body of biblical transla-
tions by William Tyndale. Tyndales Bible is credited with being
the first English translation to work directly from Hebrew and
Greek texts. Furthermore it was the first English biblical translation
that was mass-produced as a result of new advances in the art of
printing. The term Tyndales Bible is not strictly correct, because
Tyndale never published a complete Bible.
Prior to his execution Tyndale had only finished translating the
entire New Testament and roughly half of the Old Testament. Of
the latter, the Pentateuch, Jonah and a revised version of the book of
Genesis were published during his lifetime. His other Old Testament
works were first used in the creation of the Matthew Bible and also
heavily influenced every major English translation of the Bible that
followed. Wikipedia
Each Cambridge Bible edition is based on different elements. The
following is a description of the different kinds of Bibles from
Cambridge. And, as you can see, there are even editions within
editions. (Especially since you mentioned that the BBTI love to
bring out new products, perhaps the BBTI might see themselves
doing this. If they want to go that route, they need to make it very
clear about what edition it is.)
English Standard Version - The English Standard Version is a literal
translation of the Bible, firmly rooted in the tradition of Tyndale
and King James but without archaic language. Published at the
beginning of the 21st century, it is extremely close to the RSV
and is well suited to public reading and memorization. Within
this version there are these reference editions : Pitt Minion; Wide-
Margin; Clarion.
King James Version -The worlds most widely known Bible transla-
tion, using early seventeenth-century English. Its powerful, majes-
tic style has made it a literary classic, with many of its phrases and
Changes 172
Texas
Altamira
This document shows the direction and accepted practices in the act
of editing historical and religious manuscripts themselves. This is
taken from the following manual and website which scholars refer
to for help in this regard.
Editing Historical Document: A Handbook of Practice by Michael
E. Stevens and Steven B. Burg; AltaMira Press: 1997 in cooperation
with the American Assoc. for State and Local History, the Associ-
ation for Documentary Editing, and the State Historical Society of
Wisconsin.
The Association for Documentary Editing. This website provides
resources for scholars in this regard.
The BBTI editors claim that they are editing from the original
Bhagavad-gita As It Is manuscript. They followed virtually none
of the following practices or protocols in editing. A large number
of the questionable changes which devotees have presented to the
current BBTI editors have not been addressed by the editors because
they cant be justified beyond personal taste.
The following is just a small sample of the direction offered in the
above manual:
Manuscripts Editing Handbooks, manuals, etc.
there are many ways to present the text of a document, ranging
from heavily emended to absolutely literal. No matter what edi-
torial method editors use, however, we believe that they have an
obligation to explain how they have treated the text. We have stated
these requirements clearly and presented samples of how editors
have met them. P.12-13
Once the presentation is fixed, editors still need to explain and
provide access to the documents. There are ways editors have used
annotations to explain the provenance of the documents and help
readers better understand the textincluding various kinds of front
Changes 174
and back matter, illustrations, and addenda that have helped make
editions more accessible. P.14
The authentic words of men and women from the past offer a way
to experience the real thingDocumentary editing is practiced in
diverse settings and fashionsThe usefulness of published historical
documents depends not on the format or the budget but rather on
the care with which the documents are presented to the potential
audience. P.17
Documentary editing requires consistent and careful execution
that offers the reader confidence in the reliability of the printed
text. P.18
Initial step is to accurately record the text or to transcribe it. Some
might suggest, just copy it down right, yet establishing an accurate
text will cast doubts on the reliability of the publication. Many early
edition have been redone because of inaccurate transcriptions,
P.20
Transcription is akin to translation, for no editor can take a docu-
ment and convert it into another form without somehow changing
ityou will make many decisions about how you will present the
text, and you should record these in writing. P.21
You will also be faced with decisions concerning what changes or
emendations you will make in translating a handwritten or typed
document into print. Some editors make few changes, presenting
a near-literal transcription of the text, while others modernize the
text to make it easier to read. P.21
As you adopt a set of editorial principles, you will need to consider
how those changes may affect the information contained in the
documents and how best to present them to your primary audience.
There is no single agreed-on method of transcription. Editors use
different methods, often choosing from among five major forms
presented in Chapter 3, to find a style that best suits the needs of
their audiences, the purpose of their editions, and their personal
Changes 175
preferences. P.21
In addition to presenting an accurate text, you will want to help
your readers understand the documents by adding explanatory
notes or annotation Provendence notes tell a reader where the
original document is located, a basic obligation of any editor.
Textual notes help readers see elements of documents that you
cannot or choose not to render in type. Unless you offer explanation,
the reader cannot tell if the document is torn or missing a paragraph.
Are there words struck out or inserted? P.22
You may wish to provide annotation either as footnotes or end-
notes, or in many other forms. Headnotes and introductory essays
may be a more appropriate means for adding annotation for a
popular audienceGlossaries that explain the meaning of archaic
or technical language may be better and more concise than present-
ing the information in footnotes or endnotes. Maps, illustrations,
drawings, genelogical tables, and chronologies can also effectively
explain documents go to Chap 6-7. p22
Editors who publish documents in books also need to make de-
cisions about the front matter, or preliminaries, back matter. Al-
though the reader encounters the front matter of a book first, it
is among the final things to be produced. You should write an
introduction in which you explain the value of the project and
justify the various editorial dicisions made in present the text
There are some other items that need to be included (e.g. a title
page, copyright page, table of contents, dedication, and the like) that
either are created to aid cataloging or are long-standing publishing
conventions. It is important to review these to make sure that they
meet the needs of your book. Chapter 9 discusses these details. P.23
The editing of historical documents requires a great deal of care
and consistency. The pages that follow illustrate some of the choices
that other editors have made in producing their volumes P.24
Changes 176
Jennifer Stertzer
Editorial Method
The goal of the Joseph Smith Papers Project is to present verba-
tim transcripts of Joseph Smiths papers in their entirety, making
available the most essential sources of Smiths life and work and
preserving the content of aging manuscripts from damage or loss.
The papers include documents that were created by Joseph Smith,
whether written or dictated by him or created by others under his
direction, or that were owned by Smith, that is, received by him and
kept in his office (as with incoming correspondence).
Under these criteriaauthorship and ownershipthe project in-
tends to publish every extant Joseph Smith document to which its
editors can obtain access. All documents will be calendared and
published in their entirety online, and a significant number of the
documents will also be published in print.
Print and Web Editions
At present, it is contemplated that the print edition of The Joseph
Smith Papers will consist of about twenty volumes, divided into
five series: Documents (twelve volumes), Journals (three volumes),
Revelations and Translations (three volumes), Histories (two vol-
umes), and Legal and Business Records (one volume). All of the
papers included in these printed works will also be published on
this website at some point, with the annotation that appeared in
print.
It is contemplated that this website will include the following
additional material not available in the print edition: as part of
the Histories series, the entire multivolume manuscript history of
Joseph Smith (later edited and published as History of the Church);
as part of the Documents series, a number of certificates and
other routine documents only samples of which will be included
in print; as part of the Legal and Business Records series, the
equivalent of about two additional volumes worth of material not
included in print; as part of the Revelations and Translations series,
Joseph Smiths Bible revision manuscripts; as the Administrative
Changes 179
Conclusion
There is a little wiggle room for the BBTI to argue against putting
the editor/revisers name on the cover and title page because the
copyright holder can do anything it wants. However, as youve just
read, and here documented by well-respected publishing houses
and academics, that it is custom and practice to put the edition
statement and editor/revisers name on the cover and title page.
If the BBTI wants to produce first-class publications, it should
Changes 186
This will not malign Srila Prabhupadas original books because the
original editions will be available for those that want them, and the
new editions will be available for those that want those.
Both the original and revised editions have been criticized as being
flawed by their proponents. The BBTI is receiving complaints
about their new editions because they havent clearly distinguished,
marketed, given people a choice, or access to both editions in a way
that allow devotees and scholars to appreciate the differences and
value of the original edition and revised edition. Two things will
help mitigate and solve their problem: 1) address and correct how
they acknowledge the new post-samadhi editions and its editor;
and 2) provide, market, and acknowledge the value of the original
edition alongside their revised edition.
Besides following publishing conventions, theres another impor-
tant point to consider. The new, revised editions are accepted, read,
and appreciated by many of Srila Prabhupadas senior disciples.
And, Srila Prabhupadas original Bhagavad-gita As It Is, is appreci-
ated, studied, and distributed by many other of Srila Prabhupadas
disciples, followers, and well-wishers. In the spirit of cooperation
amongst devotees, this should be recognized and accepted by every
one. The contentious issue of original versus revised editions can be
ameliorated.
Manuals
Bibliography
Bogart, Dave, ed. Library and Book Trade Almanac : formerly The
Bowker Annual, 56th ed. Medford, NJ : Information Today, Inc.,
2011. Print.
The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed. - Chicago : University of
Chicago Press, 2010.
The Conference on Editorial Problems, St Michaels College, Uni-
versity of Toronto. Web. 21 June 2013.
Editing Texts from the Age of Erasmus : Papers Given at Thirtieth
Annual Conference on Editorial Problems. University of Toronto,
4-5 November 1994.
The Joseph Smith Papers : Editorial Method. Salt Lake City : The
Church Historians Press. Web. 21, June 2013.
Kline, Mary-Jo & Perdue, Susan Holbrook. A Guide to Documen-
tary Editing, 3rd ed. Charlottesville : University of Virginia Press,
2008. Print.
MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 3rd ed. New
York : The Modern Language Association of America, 2008. p.65.
Print
Myers, Denys P. reviewer, International Law : A Treatise. by L.
Oppenheim,American Society of International Law 49.3 (1955) 426-
427. JSTOR. Web. 21, June 2013.
Perrin, Noel. Dr. Bowdlers Legacy : A History of Expurgated Books
in England and America. New York : Atheneum, 1969. Print.
Raz-Krakotzkin, Amnon, translated by Jackie Feldman. The Censor,
the Editor, and the Text : The Catholic Church and the Shaping of
the Jewish Canon in the Sixteenth Century. Philadelphia : Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania Press, 2007. p. vii-viii, 1-32, 60,77-78. Print.
Rupanuga dasa (ACBSP):
The Change Disease and Windows to the Spiritual Sky, 22 Mar 2013.
Gita Cover-up Alert or Buyer Beware!, 01 Dec 2010.
Changes 191
Changes to Bhagavad-gita
Cover
He was very happy about that painting, and he wished that Deities
precisely resembling Krishna and Arjuna on the painting be made
for the alter on the Gita-Nagari farm.
Srila Prabhupada began to sow the seeds of inspiration in directing
the future development of Gita-nagari farming community. Prab-
hupada confirmed today that the presiding Deity should be Krishna
and Arjuna, exactly as on the cover of the Bhagavad-gita.
(Tamal Krishna Goswamis Diary, Prabhupadas Final Days, August
30.)
He also desired that the pictures on the covers on his books should
remain the same on all their respective translations into other
languages. This wish has, unfortunately, never been honored.
Prabhupada:
And the covers, if possible, should always be the same for each
respective book regardless of what language it may be printed in.
(Letter to Jadurani, Bombay, January 3, 1975.)
Rupanuga dasa
To reiterate, after examining and rejecting new paintings for the Kr-
ishna Book, Srila Prabhupada formulated the following instructions
for paintings in his books:
Rupanuga dasa
The Edited Edition, with the blue battlefield cover, done by Parik-
shit dasa, with Krishna carrying a whip rather than his Panchajanya
(conch) as directed by Srila Prabhupada, was done after Srila
Prabhupadas departure from this world. Both the editing and the
cover were done after his departure, yet they inserted his preface
and signature of 1971as if, with 5000 changes, it was the same book!
How unethical!
Govinda dasi
cause.
This letter, dated 11/19/68, is a must read because it puts animal
slaughter and pious and impious activities in the right Krishna
conscious perspective.
Another painting (plate #1), supposed to be a replacement for the
original (approved by Srila Prabhupada) of Sanjaya describing the
battlefield scene to Dhrtarastra, portrays a fanciful conception of
the vision Sanjaya is having. Actually, Sanjaya is envisioning the
scene within, but the artist shows a cloud of vapor coming out of
Sanjayas heart, flowing upwards to form a mist above his head and
in the mist is expanded a picture of Lord Krishna and Arjuna charg-
ing forth on their chariot. But is it really a technical improvement
or a matter of style? The mood, and Sanjayas expression is entirely
different from the original.
The next plate, supposed to show Krishna preaching to Arjuna,
appears to be a technical improvement in detail when compared
to the original, but Lord Krishna is the one standing, while Arjuna
is seated without a sign of intense grief while he is overwhelmed
with compassion for his relatives and others.
In the original, Arjunas bow has slipped from his hand and his hand
is to his bowed head. In the replacement, Arjuna is sitting down
calmly, his right arm loosely draped over his knee. Nice detail on
the armor, but the mood of the composition is lost. The next painting
(plate #3), supposedly an improvement over plate #7 in the original
Gita, is an entirely different scene, a different subject matter.
The composition leaves so much to the imagination that it is
difficult to decipher, embellished as it is with another misty cloud
above. And finally, the changing bodies plate #4, replacing the
original plate #8 as a technical improvement. The original portrays
two verses in the 2nd chapter, 13 and 22, but the replacement leaves
out 22.
There arent any more color plates in the book to examine, but
Changes 197
Rupanuga dasa
Unauthorized omission
BBTI has removed the notice Revised and Enlarged from the
face page and left only Second Edition. The phrase with the
original Sanskrit text, Roman transliteration, English equivalents,
translation and elaborate purports has been omitted.
So now, after all the omissions, the face page reads simply Bhagavad-
Gita As It Is, Second Edition, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhak-
tivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Consequently, there is no indication
for the prospective buyer that the book is actually a revised version
of the original; rather it is made to appear to be simply a re-printing
of the originalby the same author!
Consequently, there is no indication for the prospective buyer that
the book is actually a revised version of the original; rather it is
made to appear to be simply a re-printing of the originalby the
same author! The BBTI editors, remaining incognito, continue to
plagiarize Srila Prabhupadas name and fame to lend credibility to
their in fact re-written version of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, orig-
inally designated as the Complete Edition by Srila Prabhupada
himself.
Rupanuga dasa
Changes 201
Durban.)
Pusta Krishna: In the United States These are many letters we
have, just some of them, from different professors who are actually
using Prabhupadas books, professors from respectable universities
such as Harvard, Yale, Duke. Professor Dimock, who is the leading
scholar of southeastern languages at the University of Chicago, he
very much appreciates Prabhupadas books.
Prabhupada: He has written one foreword.
Pusta Krishna: So these books are being accepted as the authority,
at least in America and England, so far as studies of Indian culture
are concerned, philosophy, sociology. And you can see the beautiful
presentation. Each Sanskrit is there, transliteration so that anyone
can chant, word-for-word Sanskrit to English translation, transla-
tion in English, and then the purport, a commentary.
Prof. Olivier: Thats right. This is a good edition. Good edition.
Pusta Krishna: Professor Dimock, he says that there are many,
many translations of Bhagavad-gita, and he says that By bringing
us a new and living interpretation of a text already known to
many, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has increased our
understanding manyfold.
So although its been prevalent in America I know that when I
was studying Humanities in college in the University of Florida,
Bhagavad-gita was required. And we read one edition, but it was
very much limited. Until we come in contact with Bhagavad-gita As
It Is, the understanding is very much limited. But its not a sectarian
approach. Its purely scientific and realistic. There are many such
reviews.
Prof. Olivier: Well, this is a good letter.
(Room Conversation with Professor Olivier October 10, 1975,
Durban.)
Prabhupada: Therefore rascal. (laughter) Therefore rascal. We def-
initely know Krishna, the origin of everything. That is definite, not
It may be. We dont say Krishna may be. No. Definitely. Krishnas
tu bhagavan svayam S.B. 1.3.28. Here is Bhagavan. Here is God.
Changes 207
marks are missing in Srila Prabhupadas draft, but they are added
in the 1972 Macmillan edition that is not counted as a change.
Srila Prabhupada started all Sanskrit synonyms with capital letters
in the draft. In the both the 1972 and 1983 editions they were not
written with capital letters. This has not been counted amongst the
changes.
Other things not counted as a change is when Srila Prabhupada,
while writing his draft, obviously hit a wrong letter on his keyboard.
An example of this would be bcpmes instead of the correct
becomes. O and p are just besides each other on a keyboard.
Here we are presenting some statistics by dividing the changes into
different categories.
Modifications 1: Spelling mistakes, commas, punctuation marks,
dividing or connecting Sanskrit words and their synonyms:
Result: 23 (17,03%)
It should be noted that no changes that had to do with spelling,
commas and punctuation marks were found. Therefore all changes
here have to do with dividing and/or connecting Sanskrit words.
Modifications 2: Modifications according to Srila Prabhupadas
draft while the original edition does not follow Srila Prabhupadas
draft:
Result: 6 (4,44%)
Here it should be noted that four of these six changes have to do only
with connecting and dividing Sanskrit words. All four are similar
to this (left: draft, middle: 1972 edition, right: 1983 edition):
The other two changes back to the draft were actual changes of
English translation, though minor.
Modifications 3: Modifications not according to Srila Prabhupadas
draft while the original edition also does not follow Srila Prabhu-
padas draft.
Changes 209
Result: 15 (11,11%)
Modifications 4: Modifications not according to Srila Prabhupadas
draft while the original edition follows Srila Prabhupadas draft.
Result: 89 (65,92%)
Modifications 5: Modification where the word was missing from
Srila Prabhupadas draft.
Result: 2 (1,48%)
Draft:
Under the circumstances, it is admitted that Lord Krishna is the
Supreme Lord, superior in position to the living entity Arjuna who
is apt to be a forgotten soul under illusion of maya.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Under the circumstances, it is admitted that Lord Krishna is the
Changes 211
Draft:
The body itself is unimportant. Arjuna was advised to fight
without consideration of the material body and sacrificiyng it to
the cause of religiosity.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
The body itself is unimportant. Arjuna was advised to fight and
to sacrifice the material body for the cause of religion.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
The body itself is unimportant. Arjuna was advised to fight and
not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considera-
tions.
(2) Arjuna was advised by Krishna to sacrifice the material body
for the cause of religion But one would never know that by
reading the current ISKCON version. This is typical of Jayadvaitas
word juggling. He uses many of the same words as in the original
book but moves them around to get a completely different meaning.
Changes 212
Draft:
For the soul there is no birth, death either at any time neither does
he come into being, nor will cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever
existing and never dies not even after the annihilation of the body.
Draft:
The soul can never be cut into pieces by any kind of weapon,
neither can he be burnt by fire, nor can He be moistened by water,
nor can he be dried up by the wind.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
The soul can never be cut into pieces by any weapon, nor can he be
burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by
fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind.
Although both the draft and the original says he about the soul, the
BBTI version has, for unknown reasons, dropped the pronoun.
Paradoxically, however, the BBTI version in the ensuing verse, 2.24,
does not drop the pronoun he for the soul.
Changes 213
Bhagavad-gita As It Is 2.24
Draft:
This individual soul is unbreakable, cannot be burnt, insoluble,
nondriable, everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, im-
movable and eternally the same.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be
neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, all-pervading, un-
changeable, immovable and eternally the same.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be
neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere,
unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same.
So the BBTI edit-strategy seems to be pretty fickle. Should we, or
shouldnt we?
Anyway, why not just stick to the original? It is pretty clear.
In London, 1973, both of the originals verses were read aloud to
Srila Prabhupada.
Draft:
It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable, immutable and
unchangeable. Knowing this, you should now give up this lamen-
tation for the body.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable, immutable and
unchangeable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable.
Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.
Changes 214
Draft:
If, however, you think that the life symptoms, or the soul, is always
born and dies for good - still you have no reason for your lamenting,
Mighty-armed.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
If, however, you think that the soul is perpetually born and always
dies, still you have no reason to lament, O mighty-armed.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
If, however, you think that the soul [or the symptoms of life] is
always born and dies forever, you still have no reason to lament, O
mighty-armed.
These false brackets show the insecurity of the editor, To edit or
not to edit? Well, I better use brackets.
Draft:
O descendant of Bharata, the owner of the body is always unfit for
being killed in all bodies, and as such you do not deserve to lament
for anyone of the living entities.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body is eternal and
can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any creature.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body can never be
slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any living being.
Changes 215
Draft:
The great generals who have had a very high estimation for
your name and fame will consider that have gone away from the
battlefield out of fear only, and thus they will think of you as a fig.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
The great generals who have highly esteemed your name and fame
will think that you have left the battlefield out of fear only, and thus
they will consider you a coward.
Changes 216
Draft:
There is no loss or diminution of such endeavoring, and a little
advancement in the path can protect one from dangerous type of
fearfulness.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
If someone gives up self-gratificatory pursuits and works in Kr-
ishna consciousness and then falls down on account of not com-
pleting his work, what loss is there on his part?
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
If someone gives up his occupational duties and works in Krishna
consciousness and then falls down on account of not completing his
work, what loss is there on his part?
Draft:
Those who are after the fruitive results of prescribed duties may
not be induced to stop work, disrupt his intelligence. Rather they
should be engaged in all sorts of activities, for gradual development
of Krishna consciousness.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Let not the wise disrupt the minds of the ignorant who are attached
to fruitive action. They should not be encouraged to refrain from
work, but to engage in work in the spirit of devotion.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
So as not to disrupt the minds of ignorant men attached to the
Changes 217
Draft:
In order to deliver the pious devotees, and to annihilate the
miscreant non-devotees, as well as to re-establish the principles of
religiosity, do I advent Myself millennium after millennium.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as
well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself
millennium after millennium.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to
reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium
after millennium.
Additional evidence
The word advent is a real Prabhupada word. In his books, lectures,
letters conversations etc. it appears around 200 times.
Srila Prabhupada even has the Bg. 4.8 verse read to him on a few
occasions, and he does not object to its wording. Why would he,
since it was his own chosen words!
Changes 218
paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge
(Bhagavad-gita, 4.8.)
So the routine work of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of God-
head, how and when He appears.
(Bhagavad-gita 4.8 Bombay, March 28, 1974.)
Srila Prabhupada using the word:
Prabhupada: He said that dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami
yuge yuge: I advent to establish the principles of religion.
(Janmastami, Lord Sri Krishnas Appearance Day Lecture Lon-
don, August 21, 1973.)
Prabhupada: (Chants mangalacarana prayers) His Excellency, the
High Commissioner; ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much
for your coming here and participating in this ceremony, Janmas-
tami, advent of Krishna. The subject matter Ive been ordered to
Changes 219
Draft:
All of them as they surrender unto Me I reward accordingly.
Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha.
Original and authorized 1972 Macmillan edition:
All of them as they surrender unto Me I reward accordingly.
Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha.
BBT Internationals posthumously changed 1983 edition:
As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone
follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha.
Hayagriva Prabhu, the original editor of Bhagavad-gita As It Is was
true to Srila Prabhupadas words here. BBTIs 1983 Revised and
Enlarged edition is not! Why? There is no explanation of why this
change was made on the BBTIs website.
How did Srila Prabhupada feel about verse 4.11 as it appeared in his
1972 Macmillan Bhagavad-gita As It Is?
Prabhupada: So the original verse says that All of them as they
surrender unto Me, I reward accordingly. Everyone follows my path
in all respects. This means that everyone is searching after that
Changes 220
(Bhagavad-gita, 4.11.)
Everyone is seeking to find out Krishna. Directly or indirectly.
Krishna means the all-attractive. All-attractive. Bhagavan means
the all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead. So indirectly or
Changes 221
(Bhagavad-gita, 4.11.)
We are continuing from yesterdays subject matter, how one can
become purified and go back to home, back to Godhead. Here
the second line of this verse is very important. It is said, mama
vartmanuvartante manusyah partha sarvasah: All human being
is searching after Me.
(Bhagavad-gita 4.11 Geneva, June 1, 1974.)
Prabhupada: This is page one-hundred-eighteen, yes.
Tamala Krishna: All of them as they surrender unto Me, I reward
accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of
Prtha. Purport: Everyone is searching after Krishna in the different
aspects of His manifestation. Krishna, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, is partially realized in His impersonal brahmajyoti
or shining effulgence. Krishna is also partially realized as the
all-pervading Supersoul dwelling within everything, even in the
particles of atoms.
Prabhupada: It (the microphone) is not fixed up right.
Tamala Krishna: But Krishna is only fully realized by His pure
devotees. Therefore, Krishna is the object of everyones realization,
and as such anyone and everyone is satisfied according to ones
desire to have Him. One devotee may want Krishna as the supreme
Changes 222
master, another as his personal friend, another as his son, and still
another as his lover.
Krishna rewards equally all the devotees in their different intensi-
ties of love for Him. In the material world the same reciprocations
of feelings are there and they are equally exchanged by the Lord
with the different types of worshipers. The pure devotees both here
and in the transcendental abode associate with Him in person and
are able to render personal service to the Lord and thus derive
transcendental bliss in His loving service.
As for those who are impersonalists and who want to commit
spiritual suicide by annihilating the individual existence of the
living entity, Krishna helps them also by absorbing them into His
effulgence. Such impersonalists do not agree to accept the eternal,
blissful Personality of Godhead, and consequently they cannot
relish the bliss of transcendental personal service to the Lord
Prabhupada: Yes.
Tamala Krishna: and they extinguish their individuality.
Prabhupada: God realization, there are three aspects: brahmeti
paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate (S.B. 1.2.11).
(Bhagavad-gita 4.11-18 Los Angeles, January 8, 1969.)
Not closer to Prabhupada!
Draft:
All the liberated souls in past ancient times did act with such an
understanding of the transcendental nature of the Lord, thus they
acted in Krishna consciousness, and therefore you should also act,
following in their footsteps.
Original and authorized 1972 Macmillan edition:
All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understand-
ing and so attained liberation. Therefore, as the ancients, you should
perform your duty in this divine consciousness.
Changes 223
Draft:
Some of them sacrifice the hearing process and the senses in the
fire of controlling the mind, and others sacrifice the objects of sense
gratification, in the fire of sacrifice.
Original authorized 1972 edition:
Some of them sacrifice the hearing process and the senses in the
fire of the controlled mind, and others sacrifice the objects of the
senses, such as sound, in the fire of sacrifice.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Some [the unadulterated brahmacaris] sacrifice the hearing pro-
cess and the senses in the fire of mental control, and others [the
regulated householders] sacrifice the objects of the senses in the
fire of the senses.
Read Aloud to Srila Prabhupada by Pradyumna, April 15, 1974,
Bombay: Some of them sacrifice the hearing process and the senses
Changes 224
in the fire of the controlled mind, and others sacrifice the objects of
the senses, such as sound, in the fire of sacrifice.
The BBTI version has picked up the bracketed sentences from the
Draft:
Some of them (like the unadulterated Brahmacaris), sacrifice the
hearing process and the senses in the fire of controlling the mind,
and others - (the regulated householders) sacrifice the objects of
sense gratification in the fire of sacrifice.
Obviously the bracketed sentences have been deleted from the
original 1972 edition since their meaning is thoroughly explained
in the purport:
Srila Prabhupada: Read the purport.
Pradyumna: The four division of human life, namely the brah-
macari, the grhastha, the vanaprastha and sannyasi, are all meant
to help men become perfect yogis, or transcendentalists. Since
human life is not meant for our enjoying sense gratification like
the animals, the four orders of human life are so arranged that one
may become perfect in spiritual life.
The brahmacaris, or students under the care of a bona fide spiritual
master, control the mind by abstaining from sense gratification.
They are referred to in this verse as sacrificing the hearing the
process and the senses in the fire of the controlled mind.
A brahmacari hears only words concerning Krishna consciousness.
Hearing is the basic principle for understanding, and therefore
the pure brahmacari engages fully in harer namanukirtanam
chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord. He restrains himself
from the vibrations of material sounds and his hearing is engaged in
the transcendental sound vibration of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna.
Similarly, the householders, who have some license for sense grat-
ification, perform such acts with great restraint.
Sex life, intoxication and meat-eating are general tendencies of
human society, but a regulated householder does not indulge in
Changes 225
Draft:
There are others who are taken into strict vows, enlighten-ed in
the matter of sacrificing their possessions, in severe austerities, in
the practice of the yoga of eightfold mysticism, in the study of the
Vedas and advancement of transcendental knowledge.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
There are others who, enlightened by sacrificing their material
possessions in severe austerities, take strict vows and practice the
yoga of eightfold mysticism, and others study the Vedas for the
advancement of transcendental knowledge.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrific-
ing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities,
by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the
Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.
Changes 226
So the original and the draft says first they sacrifice and perform
austerities, then they take vows etc. The BBTI version says first
they take vows.
Draft:
One who knows that the position which is obtained by means
of Samkhya can also be attained by devotional service, and who
therefore sees both Samkhya and Yoga on the same level, does see
things rightly
Original, authorized 1972-edition:
One who knows that the position reached by means of renun
ciation can also be attained by works in devotional service and who
therefore sees that the path of works and the path of renunciation
are one, sees things as they are.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
One who knows that the position reached by means of analytical
study can also be attained by devotional service, and who therefore
sees analytical study and devotional service to be on the same
level, sees things as they are.
Both the the originals renunciation and the drafts Samhkya is
rejected.
There is nothing wrong with the original text. Sankhya is renounc-
ing.
In the first process of sankhya, one has to become detached from
matter, and in the devotional yoga process one has to attach himself
to the work of Krishna. Factually, both processes are the same,
although superficially one process appears to involve detachment
and the other process appears to involve attachment. (From the
original purport)
Still the BBTI model dishes out a third translation, different from
both the original and the draft.
Changes 227
Draft:
Without engagement in the devotional service of the Lord bare
renouncement of all activities is not happy, but a person in Krishna
conscious-ness, engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, can
achieve the Supreme without delay.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Unless one is engaged in the devotional service of the Lord,
mere renunciation of activities cannot make one happy. The sages,
purified by works of devotion, achieve the Supreme without delay.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Merely renouncing all activities yet not engaging in the devotional
service of the Lord cannot make one happy. But a thoughtful person
engaged in devotional service can achieve the Supreme without
delay.
The word munih thinker from the word-for-word section has
been brought into the verse by the BBTI model. In spite of the fact
that neither the original nor the manuscript mentions it. It is a third
variation, not Srila Prabhupadas words for sure. (As seen many
times before.)
But does munih refer to the renouncer of activities or does it refer
to the sages? As far as I know one does not have to be a thinker
to perform devotional service?
Draft:
One who acts in his occupation, surrendering the results unto
the Supreme Personality of Godhead without attachment, is not a-
ffected by any sinful action as if he were a lotus leaf on the water.
Original, authorized 1972-edition:
One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the
Changes 228
Chapter 6 Heading
Draft:
Sankhya yoga
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Sankhya yoga
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Dhyana yoga
Srila Prabhupada on the heading as Sankhya yoga:
How can we sit down silently and do nothing? It is not possible.
Therefore, after Sri Krishna outlined the Sankhya-yoga system in
the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita,
(Path of Perfection 1: Yoga as Action)
Prabhupada: All right. Then we shall Sankhya-yoga shall I begin
today or next day? This is a new chapter, we shall begin next day.
(end) (Bhagavad-gita 5.26-29 Los Angeles, February 12, 1969)
That means one who is keeping always in Krishna consciousness,
abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental
loving service is most intimately united with Me in yoga, and is the
Changes 229
Draft:
Book knowledge without any realization of the Supreme Truth is
useless. This is said as follows (Padmapuranam) Atah sri krsna
namadi
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Book knowledge without realization of the Supreme Truth is
useless. This is stated as follows: atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved
grahyam indriyaih sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty
adah.
Changes 232
atah sri-krsna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah
atah sri-krsna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah
Draft:
From whatsoever and wheresoever the mind becomes agitated
on account of its flickering and unsteady nature, one certainly has
to regulate it from such engagements, and must bring it back under
self control.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
From whatever and wherever the mind wanders due to its
flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and
bring it back under the control of the Self.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and un-
steady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back
under the control of the Self.
Draft:
Missing pages.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
All states of beingbe they of goodness, passion or ignoranceare
manifested by My energy. I am, in one sense, everythingbut I am
independant. I am not under the modes of this material nature.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Know that all states of being be they of goodness, passion or
ignorance are manifested by My energy. I am, in one sense,
Changes 234
Draft:
Out of the four pious conditioned devotees the one who is in full
know ledge and situated in pure devotional service he is the most
dear to the Lord. Such devotee is always engaged, the Supreme Lord
and the Supreme Lord is very dear to that.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Of these, the wise one who is in full knowledge in union with Me
through pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to
him, and he is dear to Me.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Of these, the one who is in full knowledge and who is always
engaged in pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear
to him, and he is dear to Me.
The words wise and in union have been discarded and through
has been replaced with engaged in .
It is an unnecessary change and we observe the random picking
from the original and the draft.
Draft:
Those who are ? by material desires they surrender unto other
demigods and following the particular rules and regulations accord-
ing to the nature of the worshipper they remain fixed up in that?
Changes 235
Draft:
I am never manifest to the foolish and less intelligent imperson-
alists because for them I am covered by my eternal potency and
therefore and they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I
am covered by My eternal creative potency yoga-maya; and so the
deluded world knows Me not, who am unborn and infallible.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am
covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know
that I am unborn and infallible.
The words eternal and internal looks and sounds alike. And in
the original text and purport the usage of both makes good sense.
Changes 236
Draft:
At the time of death one who fixes his life air in between the two
eyebrows and in full devoition enagages himself in remembering
the Supreme Lord, he certainly achieves the SPG after death.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
One who, at the time of death, fixes his life air between the
eyebrows and in full devotion engages himself in remembering
the supreme lord, will certainly attain to the Supreme Personality
of Godhead.
Changes 237
Draft:
On the manifest of the Brahmas day, all living entities, they come
into being and when there is arrival of night of Brahma everything
becomes annihilated.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
When Brahmas day is manifest, this multitude of living entities
comes into being, and at the arrival of Brahmas night they are all
annihilated.
Science of Self-realization, page 225:
When Brahmas day is manifest, this multitude of living entities
comes into being, and at the arrival of Brahmas night they are all
annihilated.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
At the beginning of Brahmas day, all living entities become
manifest from the unmanifest state, and thereafter, when the night
falls, they are merged into the unmanifest again.
Changes 238
Draft:
The Supreme Lord said: Because you are never envious of Me, Oh
Arjuna, I shall give you this most secret wisdom, knowing which
you shall be relieved of the miseries of this material existence.
Original, authorized 1972 edition: The Supreme Lord said: My dear
Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you
this most secret wisdom, knowing which you shall be relieved of
the miseries of material existence.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, be-
cause you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most
confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall
be relieved of the miseries of material existence.
Draft:
Simultaneously, everything that is created they do not rest on Me.
Just see my mystic opulence. Although I am the Maintainer of all
living entities and although I am Everywhere, still My Self is the
source of creation.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
And yet everything that is created does not rest in Me. Behold My
mystic opulence! Although I am the maintainer of all living entities,
and although I am everywhere, still My Self is the very source of
creation.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
And yet everything that is created does not rest in Me. Behold
Changes 239
Draft:
The foolish mock at Me, at My descending like a human being.
They do not know My transcendental Nature, and My supreme
dominion over all that be.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not
know My transcendental nature and My supreme dominion over all
that be.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not
know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be.
Changes 240
Draft:
I give heat; I withhold and send forth rain. I am the cause of
degradation and promotion, O Arjuna, and also death personified.
Both being and nonbeing reside in Me.
Original, authorized 1972-edition:
O Arjuna, I control heat, the rain and the drought. I am immortal-
ity, and I am also death personified. Both being and nonbeing are
in Me.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
O Arjuna, I give heat, and I withhold and send forth the rain. I am
immortality, and I am also death personified. Both spirit and matter
are in Me.
Being and non-being is deleted. Spirit and matter is added. Drought
is taken out.
Draft:
One who is engaged in devotional service, despite the most abom-
Changes 241
Draft:
Man who is factually convinced about the opulences of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead certainly he becomes engaged in devotional
service without any division, there is no doubt about it.
Original, authorized 1972 edition: He who knows in truth this glory
and power of Mine engages in unalloyed devotional service; of this
there is no doubt.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
One who is factually convinced of this opulence and mystic power
of Mine engages in unalloyed devotional service; of this there is no
doubt.
Changes 242
Synonyms:
etamall this; vibhutimopulence; yogam caalso mystic power;
mamaof Mine; yahanyone; vettiknows; tattvatahfactual; sah
he; avikalpenawithout division; yogenain devotional service;
yujyateengaged; nanever; atrahere; samsayahdoubt.
Notice how the original 1972 edition is perfectly clear and correct.
There is no reason to change, correct or edit it. Still the editors tap
into the draft and the Synonyms and select something, whilst
leaving out something else. Thus rendering a new variety of a
verse approved by His Divine Grace.
We have sampled yet again a completely unnecessary change.
Draft:
Of purifiers I am the wind; of the carriers of weapons I am Rama;
of all aquatics I am the shark, and of all flowing rivers I am the
Ganges.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Of purifiers I am the wind; of the wielders of weapons I am Rama;
of fishes I am the shark, and of flowing rivers I am the Ganges.
Purport
Of all the aquatics the shark is one of the biggest and is certainly
the most dangerous to man. Thus the shark represents Krishna.
And of rivers, the greatest in India is the Mother Ganges. Lord
Ramacandra, of the Ramayana, an incarnation of Krishna, is the
mightiest of warriors.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Translation
Of purifiers I am the wind, of the wielders of weapons I am Rama,
of fishes I am the shark,and of flowing rivers I am the Ganges.
Changes 243
Purport
Of all the aquatics the shark is one of the biggest and is certainly
the most dangerous to man. Thus the shark represents Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada on Rama in the Bhagavad-gita:
Prabhupada: About Ramayana. Srimad-Bhagavatam there is ref-
erence of Ramayana. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the last writing of
Vyasadeva.
Ram Jethmalani: In last writing it may contain, but between the
two of them, there is no cross reference of any kind. Now, a
personality like Krishna, when first set up, it must have become
a phenomena at least.
Giriraja: But in the Gita Krishna says, He describes His different
vibhutis, and there He says, I am Rama.
Prabhupada: Amongst the warriors, I am Rama. The reference is
there. This very word is there. Amongst the warriors, I am Rama.
(Room Conversation with Ram Jethmalani (Parliament Member)
April 16, 1977, Bombay.)
Srila Prabhupada in his Bhagavad-gita 10.31 writes that Lord Ra-
macandra is the mightest of warriors. But Jayadvaita Swami thought
Srila Prabhupada was wrong based on the commentaries of Srila
Visvanath Cakravati Thakura . However Lord Ramacandra is far
Superior to Parasurama that is not Visnutattva. So Jayadvaita
Swami had the last line in this purport deleted.
Draft:
Among all kinds of devouring principles and death of all crea-
tures manifestations I am called generating principle. Amongst the
women I am Gitisri and boni and memory, intelligence, faithful-
ness and excuse all.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
I am all-devouring death, and I am the generator of all things
Changes 244
Draft:
Amongst all principles of separation I am the punishment, amongst
all the victorious I am morality, amongst all confidential things I am
silence, and amongst all wise men I am the knowledge.
Original, authorized 1972-edition:
Among punishments I am the rod of chastisement, and of those
who seek victory, I am morality. Of secret things I am silence, and
of the wise I am wisdom.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Among all means of suppressing lawlessness I am punishment,
and of those who seek victory I am morality. Of secret things I am
silence, and of the wise I am the wisdom.
Purport to the original verse:
the rod of chastisement represents Krishna.
BBTIs change of the same purport:
the agency of chastisement represents Krishna.
Changes 245
Draft:
O lotus-eyed One, I have heard from You in detail about the
appearance and disappearance of every living entity, as realized
within the nature of Your inexhaustable glories.
Original, authorized 1972-edition:
O lotus-eyed one, I have heard from You in detail about the
appearance and disappearance of every living entity, as realized
through Your inexhaustible glories.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
O lotus-eyed one, I have heard from You in detail about the
appearance and disappearance of every living entity and have
realized Your inexhaustible glories.
Draft:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said, My dear Arjuna, O son
of Pritha, see now My opulences, hundreds of varied divine forms,
multicolored like the sea.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
The Blessed Lord said: My dear Arjuna, O son of Pritha, behold
now My opulences, hundreds of thousands of varied divine forms,
multicolored like the sea.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, O son
of Pritha, see now My opulences, hundreds of thousands of varied
divine and multicolored forms.
Here the verse as read to Srila Prabhupada in 1974: Giriraja:
(reads synonyms) Translation: The Blessed Lord said: My dear
Arjuna, O son of Prtha, behold now My opulences, hundreds of
Changes 246
Draft:
O best of the Bharatas, see here the different manifestations of
Adityas, Rudras, and all the demigods. Behold the many things
which none has ever seen or heard before.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
O best of the Bharatas, see here the different manifestations of
Adityas, Rudras, and all the demigods. Behold the many things
which no one has ever seen or heard before.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
O best of the Bharatas, see here the different manifestations of
Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Ashvini-kumaras and all the other
demigods. Behold the many wonderful things which no one has
ever seen or heard of before.
The added Vasus and Asvini-kumaras have been relocated
from the synonyms, English equivalents and are as such already
mentioned in the course of the verse.
The absurdity is of course adding something which is not found
either in the original or the draft. There is also a complete lack
of consequence, as the English equivalents i.e. speaks of the 49
Maruts (demigods of the wind). These are not mentioned.
Draft:
Whatever you want to see, you can see in this Body all at once.
This Universal Form can show you all that you desire, whatever
you want in the future as well - everything is there completely.
Changes 247
Draft:
Your Form is very hard to see on account of the glowing effulgence,
like the fiery sunshine which is immeasurable, and I behold the
many elements, all as glass glittering in Your effulgence.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Your form, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs, is
Changes 248
Draft:
As the rivers flow into the sea, so all these great warriors enter
Your blazing mouths and perish.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
As the rivers flow into the sea, so all these great warriors enter
Your blazing mouths and perish.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
As the many waves of the rivers flow into the ocean, so do all these
great warriors enter blazing into Your mouths.
Changes 249
Draft:
Missing
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Time I am, Destroyer of the worlds, and I have come to engage all
people
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Time I am, Destroyer of the worlds, and I have come here to
destroy all people
Why has BBTI exchanged the word engage with the word de-
stroy? There is no explanation for this particular change on the
BBTIs website.
The original draft is missing for this part of the Gita, so no claim can
be made that this change is closer to Prabhupada. On the contrary
it seems to be what Srila Prabhupada wanted, since he made no
objections when he heard the text to verse 11.32:
Giriraja: (reads synonyms for following verse:) Translation: The
Blessed Lord said: Time I am, destroyer of the worlds, and I have
come to engage all people. With the exception of you, the Pandavas,
all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain.
Dr. Patel: Shall I read further, Sir, or you want to comment?
Prabhupada: Yes. The process is going on. Although we have got
so many plans to save, nobody can be saved. The destination, the
bhutva bhutva praliyate (Bg. 8.19), that will go on. Simply vita-
raga-bhaya-krodha man-maya mam upasritah (Bg. 4.10), they will
be saved. Otherwise all finished.
(Room conversation, Bombay, April 5, 1974 .)
Draft:
I have addressed You, O Krishna, O Yadava, O my Friend, without
Changes 251
Draft:
My dear Arjuna, anyone who is engaged in My pure devotional
service, freed from the contaminations of previous activities and
from mental speculation, and who is friendly to every living entity,
certainly comes to Me.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
My dear Arjuna, one who is engaged in My pure devotional service,
Changes 252
Draft:
Sometimes we understand that I am happy, I am mad, I am a
woman, I am a dog, I am a cat: these are the knowers.
Original, authorized 1972 edition: Sometimes we understand that
I am happy, I am mad, I am a woman, I am a dog, I am a cat: these
are the knowers.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Sometimes we think, I am happy, I am a man, I am a woman,
I am a dog, I am a cat. These are the bodily designations of the
knower.
Commentary by Ajit Krishna dasa
The changes are:
1) we understand to we think.
2) I am mad to I am a man.
3) these are the knowers to These are the bodily designations of
the knower.
What we see is that the editor is true to the draft, whereas Jayad-
vaita Swami is not. Here we want to focus solely on the change from
Changes 253
illusion, pramatta.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.22, Bombay, December 31, 1974.)
Dont be very much happy when you are in happy condition of
life; neither you become mad in miserable condition of life.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.47, Bombay, January 22, 1975.)
You must have perfect knowledge. Then youll be happy. Then
youll be peace. And if you are misguided, bewildered, mad, then
how you can be happy?
(Rotary Club Lecture, Ahmedabad, December 5, 1972.)
So these are all mad condition. So when he turns to God Service he
must give. Nobody can say, Im not serving anybody. That is not
possible. You must be serving somebody. Just like you are serving
government, he is serving some office, because service is our nature.
So we are not happy because the service is misplaced.
(Room Conversation and Interview with Ian Polsen July 31, 1972,
London.)
Prabhupada: Even the father, mother is not crying. The mothers
baby dies. She cries, she becomes mad. But when the child gives up
that childhood body, accept another body, shes happy because she
knows: My son is there.
(Room Conversation with Anna Conan Doyle, daughter-in-law of
famous author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, August 10, 1973, Paris.)
Pradyumna: Its Canto Five, Chapter Five, verse number seven.
Even though one may be very learned and wise, he is mad if he
does not understand that the endeavor for sense gratification is a
useless waste of time. Being forgetful of his own interest, he tries to
be happy in the material world, centering his interests around his
home, which is based on sexual intercourse and which brings him
all kinds of material miseries. In this way one is no better than a
foolish animal.
(Room Conversation, February 16, 1977, Mayapur.)
Because the mad son is loitering in the street without any informa-
Changes 255
tion of the father, to bring him back before the father. That is the
best. He will be happy.
(Room Conversation, March 26, 1977, Bombay.)
We are just like a criminal who has dirty things within his heart.
He thinks, If I get such-and-such thing, Ill be happy. And at the
risk of his life he commits a crime. A burglar, a thief, knows that if
he is captured by the police hell be punished, but still he goes and
steals. Why? Nunam pramattah: he has become mad after sense
gratification.
(BTG, 1983, The Self And Its Bodies.)
Conclusion
There is ample evidence to support the claim that the purport of
the original Gita has things right. And we see how the original
editor is true to Prabhupadas original manuscript. Jayadvaita
Swami is changing something that is absolutely perfectly correct
from the point of view of grammar, spelling, composition, logic,
etc., and at the same time exactly follows the original manuscript,
to something else dreamt up in his mind from his imagination and
speculation only.
In other words, Jayadvaita Swami here shows no concern for the
so-called original manuscript and certainly no concern for Srila
Prabhupadas original and authorized 1972 Complete Edition of
Bhagavad-gita As It Is. This is not how an editor is supposed to
work. To do what Jayadvaita Swami is doing here is totally unau-
thorized and completely destroys the authority of Prabhupadas
books.
Draft:
O scion of Bharata, you should understand that I am also the knower
in all bodies, and to understand this body and its -owner- is called
knowledge. That is My opinion.
Changes 256
Draft:
That Supersoul is perceived by some through meditation, and by
some through the cultivation of knowledge, and by others through
working without fruitive desire.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
That Supersoul is perceived by some through meditation, by some
through the cultivation of knowledge, and by others through work-
ing without fruitive desire.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Some perceive the Supersoul within themselves through meditation,
others through the cultivation of knowledge, and still others through
working without fruitive desires.
The original 1972 standard and the draft are completely identical.
And well articulated. Still the BBTI model chooses a different
phrasing.
Here are some important words from the principal editor to Srila
Prabhupada s books after His Divine Grace s departure. On the
policy of editing:
Arsa-Prayoga is a very important principle. The editor should
never have the mentality that he is better than the author, that
Changes 257
Draft:
One who knowingly sees the difference between the body and
the owner of the body, and can understand the process of liber-
ation from this bondage, also attains to the Supreme Goal.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
One who knowingly sees this difference between the body and
the owner of the body and can understand the process of libera-
tion from this bondage, also attains to the supreme goal.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Those who see with eyes of knowledge the difference between the
body and the knower of the body, and can also understand the
process of liberation from bondage in material nature, attain to the
supreme goal.
Read Aloud to Srila Prabhupada by Nitai In Geneva, 1974:
One who knowingly sees this difference between the body and
the owner of the body and can understand the process of libera-
tion from this bondage also attains to the supreme goal.
Changes 258
Draft:
O sinless One, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is
illuminating, and frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated
in that mode develop knowledge, and becomes conditioned by the
sense of happiness.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
O sinless One, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others,
is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situ-
ated in that mode develop knowledge, but they become conditioned
by the concept of happiness.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
O sinless One, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others,
is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those
situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness
and knowledge.
The BBTI edition differs from both the original and the draft.
It anticipates in advance the content of the purport, where Srila
Changes 259
Prabhupada explains:
The difficulty here is that when a living entity is situated in
the mode of goodness, he becomes conditioned to feel that he is
advanced in knowledge and is better than others. In this way he
becomes conditioned.
That is not the job of the editor.
Draft:
When you see that there is nothing beyond these modes of Nature
in all activities and that the Supreme Lord is transcendental to this,
then you can know My spiritual Nature.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
When you see that there is nothing beyond these modes of nature
in all activities and that the Supreme Lord is transcendental to all
these modes, then you can know My spiritual nature.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
When one properly sees that in all activities no other performer is at
work than these modes of nature and he knows the Supreme Lord,
who is transcendental to all these modes, he attains My spiritual
nature.
The original and the draft agrees *to the letter. Both the draft
and the original says You can know My spiritual nature, whereas
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition says he attains
to My spiritual nature. The word-for-word says, vetti- know.
The phrase, no other performer is not found in the original or the
draft.
Draft:
When he is able to transcend those three qualities, the embodied
Changes 260
being can become free from birth, death, old age and their resultant
distresses, and can enjoy nectar even in this life.
Original, authorized 1972 version:
When the embodied being is able to transcend these three modes,
he can become free from birth, death, old age and their distresses
and can enjoy nectar even in this life.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
When the embodied being is able to transcend these three modes
associated with the material body, he can become free from
birth, death, old age and their distresses and can enjoy nectar even
in this life.
The sentence, associated with the material body cannot be a
Bhaktivedanta sentence since it is not found in either the original
or the draft.
So again we find words and sentences that do not bring the revised
edition closer to Srila Prabhupadas Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
In the physical book Bhagavad-gita revised edition this sentence is
repeated twice in the end of the purport:
In other words, devotional service in Krishna consciousness is the
sign of liberation from material entanglement, and this will be
explained in the Eighteenth Chapter. When one is freed from the
influence of the modes af material nature, he enters into devotional
service.
Draft:
The endeavoring transcendentalist, who is situated in self realiza-
tion, can see all this clearly. But those who are not situated in self
realization, though they may try, they cannot see what is taking
place.
Changes 261
Draft:
There are differences in eating, in the form of sacrifice, and in
austerity and charity as well, according to the three modes of
material nature. Now hear of these.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Even food of which all partake is of three kinds, according to
the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices,
austerities and charity. Listen, and I shall tell you of the distinctions
of these.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Even the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to
the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices,
austerities and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them.
Changes 262
The words, each person prefers are brought in. And the rest is
randomly picked from the original and the draft.
What was wrong with the original verse, that it had to be changed?
This is clearly an arbitrary practice: taking something from the
original, something from the draft and something of your own an
mixing.
Draft:
Foods in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify
existence, give strength and increase health, happiness and satisfac-
tion. Such foods are juicy and fatty and are very much conducive
to the healthy condition of the body.
Food that is to bitter, too bitter, too sour, too salty, too pungent, too
dry or too hot cause distress, misery and disease. Such food is very
dear to those in the mode of passion.
Foods prepared more than three hours before being eaten, which
are tasteless, juiceless, decomposed and have a bad smell, consisting
of remnants and untouchable things, are very dear to those in the
mode of darkness.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Foods in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify
ones existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfac-
tion. Such nourishing foods are sweet, juicy, fattening and palat-
able. Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, pungent, dry and
hot, are liked by people in the modes of passion. Such foods cause
pain, distress, and disease. Food cooked more than three hours
before being eaten, which is tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed and
unclean, is food liked by people in the mode of ignorance.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration
Changes 263
Draft:
Any sacrifice performed for some material benefit, with pride, for
material welfare, O chief of the Bharatas know that that kind of
sacrifice is in the mode of passion.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or
performed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion,
O chief of the Bharatas.
Changes 264
Draft:
Austerity in relation to the tongue means to say such things as are
dear and truthful and not to agitate others, and to engage in the
study of the Vedas.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially
and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the
Vedas regularly.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful,
pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regu-
larly reciting Vedic literature.
The original verse is clear. Still the edited version takes a now all
too well known road, namely making a third build-up. Taking
something from the original and something from the draft. and
adding extras words and pleasing.
Draft:
O son of Kunti, learn from Me how one can attain to the Supreme
Changes 265
Draft:
Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowl-
edge. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowl-
edge. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential.
Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.
Draft:
Because you are my very dear friend, I am speaking to you the
Changes 266
most confidential part of knowledge. Hear this from Me, for it is for
your benefit.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you the
most confidential part of knowledge. Hear this from Me, for it is for
your benefit.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you
My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all.
Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit.
The original and the draft are in complete unison. Thus by unlaw-
fully adding these three words My supreme instruction in this
verse we end up with yet another speculative alteration from the
given standard.
profusely and arbitrarily. You can see a list in this booklet from
the 90s.
For both books, First and Second Cantos, Srila Prabhupada never
asked for a second edition. Both books were revised by the BBTIs
lowly editor. Jayadvaita Swami.
During the Mayapur Festival in 1976, there was a meeting with His
Divine Grace regarding the Srimad Bhagavatam. A color board had
https://arsaprayoga.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/iskcons-changes-to-bhagavad-gita-
as-it-is-and-perfect-questions-perfect-answers.pdf
Changes 268
Rupanuga dasa
This is from the 4th chapter, which was personally checked by Srila
Prabhupada himself:
Srila Prabhupada letter to Uddhava, July 24, 1970, Los Angeles:
I beg to acknowledge your letter dated 20th July, 1970, along with
the blueprint for Chapter 4 Second Canto Srimad-Bhagavatam. I
have gone through the blueprint and I am also sending the neces-
sary Sanskrit corrections to Pradyumna. So when these corrections
are made then you can print immediately.
Another letter confirms Srila Prabhupadas great satisfaction with
the 1970-2 version of the Second Canto:
My Dear Uddhava,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your let-
ter dated 15th June, 1970, along with a copy of Srimad-Bhagavatam,
2nd Canto.
I think this style is very nice following the tradition of my other
Bhagavatam publications. So please continue this process, chapter
after chapter, and it will give me complete satisfaction. Thank you
very much.
I am also in due receipt of one letter from Pradyumna regarding
Sanskrit editing. I will study this letter scrutinizingly and then I
shall reply. But on the whole, the Sanskrit editing has been done
very nicely and the style is completely satisfactory. Answers to the
questions will follow in the next mail.
(Srila Prabhupada letter to Uddhava, June 18, 1970, Los Angeles.)
Changes 269
the 2.3.20 recorded on the 24th of March, 1977. Just as with the
First Canto, the Vedabase transcript confuses one into thinking that
Srila Prabhupada gave a class from the 1976 version. But when we
examined the audio we discovered that Srila Prabhupada is giving
class from the 1972 version.
BBTI transcript:
One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and
marvelous acts of the Personality of Godhead and has not sung or
chanted loudly the worthy songs about the Lord is to be considered
to possess earholes like the holes of snakes and a tongue like the
tongue of a frog.
The actual audio of this class:
One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and
marvelous acts of the Personality of Godhead and has not sung or
chanted loudly the worthy songs about the Lord is to be considered
to possess earholes like that of the snakes and a tongue like that of
the frogs.
Therefore no evidence so far has been shown to prove that Srila
Prabhupada ever gave classes from the 1976 version. In fact, theres
no evidence whatsoever that Srila Prabhupada authorized the 1976
version of the Second Canto. This is confirmed by the editor himself:
Jayadvaita Swami on the BBTI website:
The Third and Fourth Canto Dravida dasa, in a personal email
states that besides the First and Second Cantos, no other cantos
have been revised. And Jayadvaita claims in his article, Editing
the Unchangeable Truth, that the Srimad-Bhagavatam from the
Second Canto onwards continues to be published only in its original
BBT edition. The truth is that there are many changes made. Judge
for yourself:
1974 Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.29 purport:
Sometimes it is questioned how the living entity falls down from
the spiritual world to the material world
1978 Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.29 purport:
Changes 271
Sometimes it is asked how the living entity falls down from the
spiritual world to the material world.
Bhagavatam.4.1.1 purport, original edition:
Svayambhuva Manu is the son of Brahma.
Srimad Bhagavatam.4.1.1 purport, current edition:
Svayambhuva Manu was the son of Brahma.
According to the Bhaktivedanta Archives, the 1978 printings are
the second printings of the volumes where these examples can be
found. In other words, there have been no printings in between.
The changes as we see them were printed after Srila Prabhupadas
physical departure.
Puruji dasa
Changes to Caitanya-caritamrta
Cc Madhya, 20.117
Madhudvisa dasa
Examples of modifications
RE: they are minute particles or sparks of the original fire. So these
sparks can be covered by the influence of maya, but the original fire,
Krishna, cannot.
Chapter 6 (protection for Krishna)
TR: My dear Krishna, may Supreme Personality of Godhead, who
is [indistinct] known protect your legs, the lord, who is known as
Maniman protect Your thighs [indistinct] Lord Visnu, who is known
as [indistinct: Yajna?] may protect Your legs;
OE: My dear Krishna, may the Lord known as Maniman protect
Your thighs; may Lord Visnu who is known as Yajna protect Your
legs;
RE: My dear Krishna, may the Lord who is known as Aja protect
Your legs; may Lord Maniman protect Your knees; may Lorry Yajna
protect Your thighs;
TR: Lord Acyuta may protect Your arms; Lord Hayagriva may
protect Your abdomen; Lord Kesava may protect Your heart; Lord
Visnu may protect Your arms;
OE: may Lord Acyuta protect Your arms; may Lord Hayagriva
protect Your abdomen; may Lord Kesava protect Your heart; may
Lord Visnu protect Your arms;
RE: may Lord Acyuta protect Your upper waist; may Lord Haya-
griva protect Your abdomen; may Lord Kesava protect Your heart;
may Lord Isa protect Your chest; may Lord Surya protect Your neck;
may Lord Visnu protect Your arms;
TR: [] Lord Visnu carries His conchshell may protect Your left
side; [indistinct] Godhead Upendra may protect Your upside and
Lord Tarksya may protect you from the downside of the earth;
OE: may Lord Visnu with His conchshell protect Your left side; may
the Personality of Godhead Upendra protect You from above, and
may Lord Tarksya protect you from below the earth;
RE: may Lord Ajana protect Your left side; may Lord Urugaya
with His conchshell protect You on all sides; may the Personality
of Godhead Upendra protect You from above; may Lord Tarksya
Changes 277
Madhudvisa dasa
You can find a complete list of changes to the Krishna Book here.
Bob: Let me repeat what you said this morningthat was in-
teresting. I asked about miracles, and you said that only a fool
would believe in miracles becauselet us say you are a child and
an adult lifts this table. Thats a miracle. Or youre a chemist and
you combine acid and base and you make smoke, an explosion
or whatever. To somebody ignorant, thats a miracle. But for
everything there is a process, and so when you see a miracle, its
just ignorance of the process. So that only a fool would believe
in miracles, andyou correct me if I say wrong.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, yes.
Bob: You said when Jesus came the people then were somewhat
more ignorant and needed miracles as aid. I wasnt sure if thats
quite what you said.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Miracles are for the ignorant. Bob: I
had asked this in relation to all the miracle men you hear about
in India.
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is the highest miracle man. Bob: Yes.
Srila Prabhupada: That is stated by Kunti..
Our Knowledge Is Perfect? Chapter 1, Page 10:
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Our knowledge is perfect. If I say that heat
is the energy of Krishna, you cannot deny it, because it is not your
energy.
Deleting Verse Translations Chapter 3, Page 21:
After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion,
never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries,
because they have attained the highest perfection.
Chapter 3, Page 26:
By the mercy of the spiritual master one is benedicted by the
mercy of Krishna. Chapter 3, Page 26:
Without the grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any
advancement. Chapter 3, Page 27:
If you displease him, then you are nowhere. Therefore we worship
the guru:
Changes 281
saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
Siddhanta deviation
Draft:
So, by the slow process of devotional service under the guidance
Changes 290
of the bonafide spiritual master one can attain the Bhava stage
being freed from all material attachment, fearfulness of ones
individual spiritual personality, and the frustration of voidness.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
So, by the slow process of devotional service, under the guidance
of the bona fide spiritual master, one can attain the highest stage,
being freed from all material attachment, from the fearfulness of
ones individual spiritual personality, and from the frustrations
resulting from void philosophy.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
So, by the slow process of devotional service, under the guidance
of the bona fide spiritual master, one can attain the highest stage,
being freed from all material attachment, from the fearfulness of
ones individual spiritual personality, and from the frustrations
that result in void philosophy.
Voidistic philosophy creates frustration. That is the clear message of
the original. And also confirmed by the draft. Not that frustration
necessarily breeds voidism. Frustrated people also join Srila Prab-
hupadas movement.
Basic philosophical point.
Bhagavad-gita, 4.34
Draft:
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire
from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-
realized soulcan impart knowledge unto you because he has seen
the truth. (Bg 4.34)
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire
from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-
realized soulcan impart knowledge unto you because he has seen
the truth. (Bg 4.34)
Changes 291
Bhagavad-gita, 4.38
Draft:
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcenden-
tal knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism.
And one who has achieved this stage enjoys within himself in due
course of time.
Original and authorized 1972 edition:
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcenden-
tal knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism.
And one who has achieved this enjoys the self within himself in
due course of time.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcenden-
tal knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism.
And one who has become accomplished in the practice of
devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due
course of time.
Changes 292
And one who has achieved this enjoys the self within himself in
due course of time.
is changed to:
And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devo-
tional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course
of time.
This change is both needless and alters the meaning. It is needless
because Prabhupada has not asked for it. It alters the meaning, as
the words enjoys the self is erased and replaced with enjoys this
knowledge. And the words has achieved this are substituted with
has become accomplished in the practise of devotional service.
Furthermore the words are culminated in the end of the purport
are needlessly changed to culminate. So there are needless
changes both in the translation and in the purport. Usually all this
is explained away with something from the original draft. But
on BBT Internationals website we find no information about this
change.
The original draft sounds like this:
And one who has achieved this stage, enjoys within himself in due
course of time.
So again the original draft is seen to be closer to the 1972 original
Bhagavad-gita than Jayadvaita Maharajs version. On top of that, in
the word-for-word translation the word na never is changed to
na nothing and svayam-itself is changed to svayam-himself.
Prabhupada personally did ALL the type-writing for the first six
chapters of the so called original draft. In the original draft
Prabhupadas translation of na was never (Na-never) and his
translation of svayam was itself (svayam-itself):
So BBT International have changed Prabhupadas Sanskrit trans-
lation as it was personally written by him, on his type writer.
Prabhupada was very concerned with better knowing disciples that
had become learned in Sanskrit: a little learning is dangerous,
Changes 293
Bhagavad-gita, 6.47
Draft:
Of all practitioners, he who is always abiding by Me within
himself, great in faith, and rendering transcendental loving service
unto Me, he is the highest of all yogis.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith,
worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately
united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in
Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving
service to Me he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga
and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.
Changes 294
Draft:
For one in such Krishna consciousness there are no material
activities because everything is done BY Krishna.
Original, authorized 1972 edition:
For one in such Krishna consciousness there are no material
activities because everything is done BY Krishna.
BBT International posthumously edited 1983 edition:
For one in such Krishna consciousness there are no material
activities because everything is done FOR Krishna.
An essential esoteric point is lost in this speculative edit.
Regarding the change to 12.12, purport:
Letter to Jayadvaita Bombay 17 March, 1971
So far changing the working of verse or purport of 12:12 discussed
before, it may remain as it is.
Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Letter from Jayadvaita Swami trying to justify his direct disobedi-
ence to his spiritual masters personal order and direct instruction:
The story on 12:12:
I asked Srila Prabhupada whether the sequence of items mentioned
in the verse (which to me seemed inconsistent with the Sanskrit)
should be changed. He said no. Respecting his order, I left the verse
as is. Srila Prabhupada gave a very specific answer to a very specific
question. Someone now wants to extend Srila Prabhupadas specific
answer to make it a general order to the effect that not a word
of the purport should be changed. And so the obviously erroneous
Changes 295
Bhagavad-gita, 17.5-6
Draft:
There are persons who undergo severe penances and austerities
Changes 297
Conclusion
Laws were put in place to stop this kind of thing. There is a style
change in the second edition and it doesnt bring us closer to Srila
Prabhupada. It takes us one step away from Srila Prabhupada. And
the next edition by the next editor will take us two steps away.
Assertion: That BBTI honors the arsa prayoga principle by not
correcting Prabhupadas Sanskrit and personally chosen words, but
only the words of the previous editors.
Fact: Corrections are made to Prabhupadas Sanskrit translations
and chosen words. There is a video on youtube presented by
BBTedit where the BBTI editor Jayadvaita Maharaja says that he
has made these changes with the help of Sanskrit scholars.
Assertion: The siddhanta is not changed. All changes except philo-
sophical changes are ok.
Fact: There are changes to siddhanta. Please review the section on
Siddhanta deviation. Nonetheless, the very fact that the realized
writings of the acarya are changed is a siddhanta (arsa prayoga
siddhanta) deviation; to allow a violation of arsa prayoga is in itself
a break of siddhanta.
The changed books contains implicitly the apa-siddhantic view-
point that it is okay to violate arsa prayoga. And, if all these
changes are allowed, then at one point we will see more changes to
siddhanta. There are devotees who would eliminate certain sections
of Srila Prabhupadas books if they had the power to do so. And this
apa-siddhantic viewpoint that it is okay to violate arsa prayoga will
make future generations continue with the changes.
Assertion: Srila Prabhupada delegated the production of his books
to his disciples.
Fact: He was involved in every aspect of the production of his books
as testified by the numerous letters and sufficient proof from close
disciples like Govinda dasi, Rupanuga dasa, Ramesvara dasa (see
Ramesvaras memories).
Assertion: The revision was made from the original manuscript.
Fact: There is no such thing as an original manuscript, the one
Changes 300
true to all the above points. I therefore consider the 1983 edition as
being offensive and disloyal to Prabhupada.
Some devotees make few wrong observations. One of them is that
the 1983 unauthorized edition is the first draft. That is wrong. There
is a huge difference between the first drafts and the 1983 edition.
Thousands of large and small differences.
Someone wrote: Sure enough, the editor was just changing it back
to the original draft, written by Srila Prabhupada. This is also not
correct. There are certainly places were BBT International have not
changed back to the first drafts. For example, the word eternal has
been taken out of verse 2.18, even though Prabhupada referred back
to this word in his lectures in this specific verse. There are several
such examples. Also, Prabhupada never asked the editors to go back
to the drafts and use these to edit his Gita again.
When he approved the 1972 edition of the gita he called it The
Complete Edition and The original manuscript which shows that
all previously made drafts were now discarded as material to be
used in the book at least without his instruction, permission or
later approval (none of which were ever given except for two or
three examples like cattle raising to cow protection).
So to change the 1972 Complete Edition back to the so called
original manuscripts which are actually only drafts is to override
thousands of editorial decisions and approvals made by Prabhu-
pada. Remember that it was also Prabhupadas editorial decision
to use Hayagriva as editor. So to override Hayagrivas decisions
(many of which were made in close consultation with Prabhupada
and the rest approved by Prabhupada before publishing) is also to
override Prabhupadas editorial decisions.
Shouldnt Prabhupada be the final decision-maker on this? Did
Prabhupada want his first drafts published like this (yes, no, maybe?)?
Did he want another book explaining all the faults in his 1972
edition? (yes, no, maybe?) Or did he prefer us to stick to the arsa
prayoga principle and simply overlook the transcendental faults due
Disciples speak out 303
and when they are available they are usually the size of a golf ball.
But the ones Prabhupada was wearing were big, the size of tennis
balls. And he said that the atmosphere right down to the atoms in
the room was not material, aprakrita.
The place was surcharged with the fragrance of the heavenly
planets. Acarya Prabhakar wanted to ask Srila Prabhupada, Where
did this garland come from? It is not available from the market.
But Srila Prabhupada would not answer. His Divine Grace just kept
on performing kirtan, bouncing round the room and chanting. The
next morning Acarya Prabhakar asked Srila Prabhupada, Where
did you get the garland, why did it have such a rich fragrance, and
why were you feeling so blissful?
Srila Prabhupada told him, I was chanting to Krishna and feeling
some love for Him. And He appeared and gave me this garland. I
went to touch His feet and He disappeared. Because of that I was
dancing around the temple room. Srila Prabhupada was crying.
Acarya Prabhakar was very believable and I felt that what he told
me was valid. He also said that sometimes Srila Prabhupadas mood
was to perform kirtan intensely. He would chant on and on and on
for three days straight. We hear that sometimes he wouldnt eat
for long periods, especially near the end of his manifest lila, but
remarkably in Jhansi, he was doing kirtan for a long period of time
without eating or sleep
As you are remembering our old meeting days on the second
avenue, when I first started my lectures there, similarly I also
remember the incidents and speak to so many friends and disciples.
So our meeting was Krishnas desire. Apparently it was accidental
but actually it was Krishnas plan (Los Angeles 18 November,
1968.)
Srila Prabhupada wrote this to Hayagriva. This was not long after
they had met and Hayagriva started editing Bhagavad Gita As It
Is. Editing and being able to ask the author if this was what he
intended? Or listening to Srila Prabhupada speak. To listen to his
Disciples speak out 305
words.
Bahushira dasa
Bhagavat dasa
Disciples speak out 307
Bhagavat dasa
The rule is that the public must know up-front that the book has
been edited and/or abridged by John Doe. Srila Prabhupada was
very careful to follow the rules of publishing. Why does BBTI
consider themselves above such accepted protocol, and thus present
an edited version, done posthumously, with Srila Prabhupadas 1971
signature as if he were here to authorize the edits? In educated
circles, this is not only considered unscholarly; it is considered
criminal.
I also researched whether such posthumous editing is acceptable in
our Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. To find out whether this is done
in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, some years ago I approached
H. H. B. V. Narayana Maharaja with questions about this matter. He
told me this was never to be done. It is disrespectful to the Acarya,
and shows a lack of correctly understanding the principle of arsa-
prayoga.
Arsa-prayoga is the spiritual concept that whatever a saintly
person has written or spoken, it is to be accepted as perfect, and
is never to be challenged or changed. He also commented that the
posthumously edited books have lost Swamijis voice.
According to Pradyumna Prabhu, Srila Prabhupadas Sanskrit scholar
and editor who traveled with him extensively for many years, the
term arsa-prayoga means the usage of the sages. It usually
refers to irregular grammatical constructions which are normally
considered to be mistakes, but because spoken or written by a sage
are to be accepted as correct. Arsa is a word derived from rsi or
sage. This is exactly what we are dealing with here.
Other scholars have also been approached regarding the impropri-
ety of this method of posthumous editing. They have all been in
agreement that the editors names should be clearly printed on the
books covers, and the date of edit and number of edition should be
written on the title page therein.
So long as Srila Prabhupada was present, he had his editors working
under him, and he oversaw everything. From start to finish. Both
Disciples speak out 315
the text as well as the art work was done under his direct supervi-
sion.
I personally met Srila Prabhupada in early January of 1967, and
at that time, Hayagriva was in San Francisco working daily with
Srila Prabhupada, editing his Bhagavad-gita As It Is, as well as other
books and articles. He had come from New York to the budding San
Francisco temple, to continue his editing work with Prabhupada
there. He had already been working closely with Srila Prabhupada,
then known simply as Swamiji, ever since meeting him on a
New York street corner in the summer of 1966. Srila Prabhupada
immediately engaged Hayagriva, then Professor Howard Wheeler,
in editing his writings only days after meeting him in 1966.
Hayagriva later lived with us in 1968 (Srila Prabhupada was in Los
Angeles at that time) and daily he and Srila Prabhupada hashed
out final details of editing. The two of them worked on Srimad
Bhagavatam as well as the Bhagavad-gita. The Gita was being
readied for printing in late 1968, just before I was sent to Hawaii
by Srila Prabhupada in January of 1969.
In 1968, while traveling with Srila Prabhupada as his servant and
secretary, I did the cover for the first Macmillan edition of Bha-
gavad-gita As It Is, the lavender paperback. On the cover of that first
Gita was my drawing of Lord Vishnu, which was originally the
Universal Form, drawn under Srila Prabhupadas direct guidance.
However, Macmillan removed the extra arms and faces of the
Universal Form, turning it into the four armed Form of Lord Vishnu.
Macmillan also condensed Srila Prabhupadas already edited Gita
down to a much smaller version. They insisted on this for financial
reasons.
Srila Prabhupada was not happy with Macmillans decision to
shorten his Gita to such an extreme. He was satisfied with the entire
work at that time, the work that he and Hayagriva had polished and
readied, and wanted the whole thing printed. However, Macmillan
Disciples speak out 316
thats not what were talking about. Rather, the entire Bhagavad-
gitas poetic writers voice has been lost, and often translations
have been clumsily re-edited, losing the poetic ring of the original
version. Bhagavad-gita means song of God. It is intended to be
poetic and flowing. Srila Prabhupada achieved that poetic flow with
Hayagrivas help.
But the real danger is: where does it stop? BBTI is continuing to
edit and re-edit Prabhupadas books even now. Already, there are
at least six editions of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, all bearing the
authors name His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami on
their covers. How many editions will exist in 50 years, all bearing
the same name on the cover, along with the 1971 signature of Srila
Prabhupada? From a publishing viewpoint, this is nothing less than
a nightmare.
Another important consideration is that Jayadvaita Swami, a 20
year old high school dropout, met Srila Prabhupada in the early 70s,
whereas Hayagriva, an established college professor, had already
been working with Srila Prabhupada as his editor since the summer
of 1966.
Srila Prabhupada gave Hayagriva the service of editing his work at a
time when devotees had extensive daily access to Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees were able to engage in long discussions with him on
anything and everything. So there were hours, days, and years of
editing interchange between Srila Prabhupada and Hayagriva long
before Jayadvaita Swami ever came into the picture.
If you study Hayagrivas book, The Hare Krishna Explosion, writ-
ten from diaries long before the book editing issue ever surfaced
(and long before Jayadvaita Swami or Dravida became devotees
even before BBTI was formed) you will see that Hayagriva was
spending hours daily with Srila Prabhupada doing his editing work,
from the summer of 1966 in New York, then in San Francisco in 1967,
and continuously thereafter. There is ample historical evidence of
this.
Disciples speak out 319
Jayadvaita Swami, for some reason, ignores this and claims that
Hayagriva spent little time with Prabhupada editing his books. This
is simply not true. The fact is that Jayadvaita Swami wasnt there
yet. I was. I am an eyewitness to the elaborate editing conversations
that took place in 1967, 1968, and 1969.
From December of 1967 to January of 1969, I was living with and
traveling with Srila Prabhupada, along with my husband Goursun-
dar, going with him from city to city. Besides typing transcriptions
of Srila Prabhupadas writings, my service was cooking, cleaning,
maintaining the household and the simple Deity worship, and tak-
ing dictation of Prabhupadas letters, typing them, and in between
that, doing artwork.
In 1968, my husband, Goursundar das, and I met with Macmillan
executives in New York to discuss the cover picture for Srila
Prabhupadas Bhagavad-gita As It Is. We were very involved with
the whole process, and that first Gita, the lavender paperback, was
printed only a few months after I left for Hawaii in January of 1969.
In late 1968, just prior to my departure for Hawaii, Hayagriva visited
us in Los Angeles, staying with us for several weeks, and sleeping
on the living room floor of Prabhupadas apartment. The two of
them were working daily on the final polishing of the manuscript
for the Macmillan Gita, as well as other publications such as the
Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Srimad Bhagavatam, and also the
Nectar of Devotion. I was daily transcribing Prabhupadas tapes
of Nectar of Devotion and Caitanya-caritamrta. Srila Prabhupada
would speak into the dictaphone in the early morning hours, and
after breakfast, would hand me the tapes to transcribe. This was my
service.
Meanwhile, Hayagriva was spending whole days in Srila Prabhu-
padas room, discussing the necessary edits. They often even took
their meals together, as the discussions were non-stop. Hayagriva
had only a limited time for his visit, as he was still teaching as a
college professor at that time.
Disciples speak out 320
It was also during that visit that Srila Prabhupada married Haya-
griva to Shama dasi.
All this took place in December of 1968, the year the final edit of
the Gita was done. So it was done to Srila Prabhupadas satisfaction
at that time. Even there may have been some typos, it met with his
approval. This is important for everyone to understand.
While living with Srila Prabhupada for those fourteen precious
months, I also composed and drew the five line drawings for the
forthcoming Teachings of Lord Caitanya. Srila Prabhupada actually
designed those illustrations and literally watched over my shoulder
while I drew them. He loved to watch the artists work.
Earlier in 1968, at our apartment in San Francisco, I was working on
the cover of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Srila Prabhupada would come
shuffling down the hall. (the houseshoes I gave him made shuffling
sounds so I could always hear him coming!) He enjoyed watching
the artists at work and spent much time working with both artists
and editors; his books were his priority. He supervised every aspect
of them.
My job at that time was transcribing his tapes for Nectar of
Devotion and Caitanya-caritamrta, while my husband, a Sanskrit
and Bengali scholar, was transliterating Caitanya-caritamrta. Gour-
sundar was also giving Srila Prabhupada oil massages daily, to
improve his health, and going on walks with him. At home, the two
of them discussed philosophy as well as the forthcoming Caitanya-
caritamrta.
Srila Prabhupada read Caitanya-caritamrta daily, and sometimes
commented that his Guru Maharaj also read it daily in his later
years. This multi-volume set of books, Caitanya-caritamrta, so
cherished by Srila Prabhupada, has also been severely edited by
BBTI; many changes were made without any legitimate reason. This
should not have happened.
My point is this: Srila Prabhupada directly oversaw the drawing for
Disciples speak out 321
But everyone should also understand that the original 1972 Gita is
the one that Srila Prabhupada sat in his room and read daily. The
original 1972 Gita is the one that made devotees all over the world.
The original 1972 Gita is also the one that Srila Prabhupada spoke
from. He gave lectures and quoted from this original 1972 Gita on
many many occasions for over six years!
Are we to also edit his spoken lectures? Or are we to appreciate
that his transcendental voice is coming from a realm far beyond our
minds, far beyond this universe? Are we to accept Srila Prabhupada
as being the Senapati Bhakta sent by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Himself? Or are we to relegate him to a lesser position?
When Jayadvaita Swami came to visit Hawaii several years ago,
in 2003, I had a darshan of Srila Prabhupada in my temple room. In
that brief darshan, Srila Prabhupada ordered, I want you to speak!,
indicating that he wanted me to speak out about the book changes
to Jayadvaita Swami.
My first response was I dont wanna (who wants such a difficult
service?). Srila Prabhupadas response was commanding: You have
to, that is my order they will listen to you! At that point I agreed,
what else could I do?
I then educated myself more thoroughly on the whole issue, and
subsequently several discussions were held at the Honolulu temple,
where a number of other senior disciples came to voice their
grievances and opinions as well. Those discussions were taped and
later transcribed and found on www.arsaprayoga.com. Now they
are on other websites, one known as www.bookchanges.com and
other places as well. These discussions give a clearer picture of the
changes and the ramifications of changing the Acaryas writings.
Since then, I have also studied the 1997-1998 lawsuit that cost the
BBTI over a million dollars to defend the edited books a lawsuit
that was lost, and that BBTI is careful never to discuss or mention.
It was a huge and embarrassing loss to the BBTI. Jayadvaita Swami
Disciples speak out 323
should have resigned after that lawsuit, but strangely enough, some
of his Godbrothers wanted him to stay (?)
Let me add here, that the BBTI lawyers defense argument labeled
Srila Prabhupada as a writer for hire and therefore according to
this legal concept, his books belonged to BBTI and could be edited
however they pleased. This argument, albeit only a legal agenda, is
clearly offensive, a very serious Vaishnava aparadha.
In spite of this spiritually distasteful argument, BBTI lost the case
anyway. (The judge didnt buy it.) The BBTI lost the case in spite of
hiring the very costly and prestigious international copyright law
firm, Coudert Brothers.
As a result of this court ruling, a license to print Srila Prabhu-
padas original 1972-1977 books was given to a small group of Srila
Prabhupadas senior disciples. It is due to this license to print
that Srila Prabhupadas original books are now back in print. These
precious books, so dear to our Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada,
were out of print for over twenty years! If not for this court case,
perhaps they would have remained out of print forever!
Perhaps here we may stop to consider the blade of grass theory
not a blade of grass moves without the will of the Lord!
My motive is not political nor is it sentimental. I am simply
following my Gurudevs orders. He could foresee this sort of thing
would happen, due to the Westerners change disease.
The important thing to consider here is Srila Prabhupadas per-
spective. What would he want us to do in this situation. Srila
Prabhupada was most concerned about the loss of his gift to
the world his books. Therefore he constantly cautioned against
changes of any sort. It is not that the books are completely lost now,
with this edit. But they will continue to be edited, and changed, and
changed again, and the editors that come after Jayadvaita Swami
and Dravida are gone will surely have new and different ideas. And
in due course of time, the pure teachings will be lost.
Disciples speak out 324
Krishna tells Arjuna in the Gita that He gave this knowledge to the
Sun god, but it was lost in the course of time. The same thing can
happen if we allow this book editing issue to go unchecked. There
is no end to it.
Srila Prabhupadas communication to me is that this is the single
most important issue. And that every one of his faithful disciples
should speak out on this issue, whether it is politically correct or
not. And whether we are criticized or not. It really isnt about Jayad-
vaita Swami or any other particular person. It is about keeping Srila
Prabhupadas teachings intact for the future welfare of mankind.
Two hundred years from now, when scholars are researching this
great movement, and they find thirty editions of the Bhagavad-
gita As It Is, all different, yet all bearing Srila Prabhupadas 1971
signature, how will they even know which edition is the original
and authentic one?
They will know only by the statements that we, Srila Prabhupadas
disciples, leave behind. We, his disciples, are now his voice in this
world.
Therefore, it is our duty, to be faithful to our Guru, to speak out
to defend his books, even it it makes us unpopular or politically
incorrect.
Amazingly, some respected ISKCON leaders have been known to
criticize these original books, calling them ritvik books. Yet those
same leaders became devotees from reading those original books!
And those books existed long before the ritvik movement ever
began. There is no relation whatsoever. The books stand alone, as
Srila Prabhupadas gifts to the world.
This BBTI propaganda is not actually coming from Jayadvaita
Swami or the BBTI; it is the undercurrent coming from the Kali
Chela, those energies that are working diligently to infiltrate and
destroy this great movement launched by Srila Prabhupada. His was
a movement launched with a handful of sincere American teenagers
Disciples speak out 325
who loved their Swamiji, and continue to love him, more than life
itself.
Dear Devotees, please dont take all this lightly; do your own
research, offer your own prayers to Srila Prabhupada, and then
decide what is right. Dont simply parrot the propaganda that BBTI
is spreading to try to make it sound all right. As a disciple, you and
I and every one of us has a duty to Srila Prabhupada, to his legacy,
to safeguard his valuable teachings for the generations of devotees
to come. This is the most serious issue facing us today. And this is
our most important duty.
Govinda dasi
Hidden co-authors
dasa.
Srila Prabhupadas many letters to Hayagriva tell us that He was
in complete control and that he was in fact, impressed and happy
with the editing work in progress. Please refer to the chapter
Authorization where you find the letters in chronological order.
In contrast, the so-called editing of his books, without his knowl-
edge and consent is really rewriting by hidden co-authors.
Srila Prabhupada is an extraordinary author unsurpassed in history
because he translated, wrote, edited, published, and distributed
millions of books worldwide.
He trained hundreds of disciples to assist him in this monumental
work.
Srila Prabhupada created his own publishing house, the Bhak-
tivedanta Book Trust (BBT). He created his own distribution system
of temples, the Life Membership program and book distributors
who developed innovative methods to distribute books. He engaged
millions of people in producing, distributing and receiving his
transcendental books, and thus engaged them in the pure devotional
service of Lord Caitanyas movement.
Srila Prabhupada was a published author before he reached Amer-
ica. In India, without help, he translated, wrote, edited, published
and distributed the three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam, First
Canto, the paperback Easy Journey to Other Planets, and many
issues of Back to Godhead magazine. He wrote a second manuscript
for the Bhagavad-gita to replace his first one which had been
stolen. He recognized the difficulty in presenting transcendental
knowledge in a foreign language.
In the preface to each volume of Srimad Bhagavatam, he appealed
to the readers: I must admit my frailties in presenting Srimad
Bhagavatam, but still I am hopeful of its good reception by the
thinkers and leaders of society on the strength of the following
statement of Srimad Bhagavatam (1.5.11): tad-vag visargo On
Disciples speak out 327
the other hand, that literature which is full with descriptions of the
transcendental glories of the name, fame, form and pastimes of the
unlimited Supreme Lord is a transcendental creation meant to bring
about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization.
Such transcendental literatures, even though irregularly composed,
are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly
honest.
Once he arrived in America, he took opportunities to correct
his irregular composition. He gave a large stack of papers, his
Bhagavad-gita manuscript, to his disciple, Hayagriva dasa, who
had a Masters degree in English. The two of them worked closely
together to edit and prepare the manuscript for publication in the
United States.
Erroneous Misconceptions
It is clear that Srila Prabhupada was the author of his books, and
the editors were his assistants. Also, he fully controlled the editing
and publishing process. For his books, he determined the content,
meaning, purpose, audience, style, illustrations, binding, paper,
publication dates, etc. So why do some, including some BBT editors,
erroneously claim that Srila Prabhupada did not really write his
books? Why do they mistakenly refer to Hayagrivas Bhagavad-
gita instead of Srila Prabhupadas Bhagavad-gita? The answer is
that they confuse writing with editing.
Factually, editing is not writing because editing polishes something
already written. First the author writes, and then the editor edits.
First, Srila Prabhupada wrote the translations and purports for
Bhagavad-gita, and then Hayagriva edited them. Writing creates
the content, meaning and purpose. Editing polishes that work to
make it more presentable to the readers, but editing does not change
the authors meaning and purpose. Srila Prabhupada created the
transcendental content of his books. He conveyed the meaning of
Krishna consciousness within the Vaishnava parampara (disciplic
succession). And he imbued his books with the purpose to spread
Lord Caitanyas mercy all over the world. Srila Prabhupadas books
contain his potency to transform sincere readers into pure unal-
loyed devotees. To assist him, Hayagriva polished the Bhagavad-
gita manuscript by correcting the irregular composition without
Disciples speak out 333
Hidden co-authors
books in the libraries and in schools and colleges. I am sure that this
will revolutionize the thinking of thoughtful men of your country as
well as the students and the professors and the ultimate end will be
to save the world from the clutches of material illusory activities
which is now causing havoc everywhere. (Letter to Karandhar,
Sept. 13, 1970.)
Why do the hidden co-authors claim to be better translators and
commentators (purport writers) than Srila Prabhupada? What are
the hidden co-authors doing when they change the philosophy
and preaching plans in Srila Prabhupadas books? What is their
purpose?
The hidden co-authors usurp Srila Prabhupadas property, his books,
by making changes not authorized by him. They seize and hold his
books by force without the spiritual right to do so. The hidden co-
authors force changes without any order to do so. They blatantly
disobey his direct order to maintain the books as originally pub-
lished. They use BBT money and diplomacy to defeat opposition to
their usurpation. The hidden co-authors behave like squatters who
forcibly and unlawfully take over someones property and use it for
their own purpose.
The hidden co-authors mislead the devotees and the innocent public
by publishing their own opinions under Srila Prabhupadas good
name. What is their purpose? They are acting like hidden founder-
acaryas because they rewrite sastra (Vedic scripture) intended for
the next 9500 years. Because they reject Srila Prabhupadas order
to maintain his books as published, they freely inject their own
opinions. The proper behavior of a disciple or follower is to follow
the spiritual masters order.
Srila Prabhupada explained: Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has
stated that the order of the spiritual master is the life and soul of
the disciples. As a man cannot separate his life from his body, so a
disciple cannot separate the order of the spiritual master from his
life. If a disciple follows the instruction of the spiritual master in
Disciples speak out 338
magazines are the torchbearers of Truth which can save the world.
(Letter to Ksirodakasayi dated 1-3-72.)
Srila Prabhupadas books, then, should be thought of as a perma-
nent legacy meant to be shared and enjoyed by generations of
devotees everywhere. His purpose in writing was to reestablish
religious principles and, ultimately, to revive every conditioned
souls dormant love of God. These transcendental literatures were
Srila Prabhupadas gift to the world and proof of his empowerment
by Krishna.
Judging from the statements made above, His Divine Grace seemed
totally convinced that the books he had published, if distributed
widely enough, would deliver the entire world from the darkness
of ignorance. Therefore, there was no reason to believe that, to fulfill
his mission, his books would have to undergo another round of
editing, what to speak of the complete overhaul concocted by the
BBT editors.
Our guideline in Krishna consciousness is that the only duty of the
disciple is to faithfully execute the order of the bona fide spiritual
master. If a disagreement arises over how to best serve the guru,
the issue can generally be resolved by following whatever course
of action the spiritual master had specifically recommended in his
direct instructions to his disciples. In a room conversation that took
place in Paris in 1976, Srila Prabhupada elaborated on this point,
and his explanation soundly defeats virtually all of the arguments
presented in favor of changing his books.
Excerpt from a room conversation taking place in Paris, France on
August 5, 1976:
Hari-sauri dasa: Sometimes theres some discrepancy, two parties,
that may both want to serve but they have different ways, different
ideas how to execute the same order, so there may be some
disagreement.
Srila Prabhupada: Service means you must take order from the
Disciples speak out 341
Locanananda dasa
Disciples speak out 343
and also how you intend to correct them. I was not satisfied with
the corrections that were made before. I saw some changes which
I did not approve. Nitai may correct whatever mistakes are there,
but the corrected material must be sent to me for final approval.
(Letter to Radhaballabha dasa dated 1-5-76.)
Srila Prabhupada never gave anyone carte blanche to make revi-
sions in his books. This letter confirms that any changes to his books
would require his personal approval before being printed.
A few months later, the issue of change was raised again by Radha-
ballabha dasa regarding the text of several volumes of the Srimad
Bhagavatam which were soon to be reprinted. Srila Prabhupada
advised him, There is no need for corrections for the First and
Second Cantos. Whatever is there is all right. (Letter of 5-4-76)
Seeing how persistent his BBT managers were to implement change
in the text and presentation of his books, His Divine Grace wrote
again to Radhaballabha dasa in August, 1976, this time more firmly:
Do not try to change anything without my permission.
Srila Prabhupada consistently stated that he did not want anything
to be changed unnecessarily. Any changes they thought would be
an improvement in the text would require his written authorization.
The most serious violation of this instruction actually came years
later, after Srila Prabhupadas disappearance, when BBT personnel
decided to print a new version of the Bhagavad-gita. It is a well
known fact that His Divine Grace never authorized anyone to re-
edit the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. If Srila Prabhupada ever intended
to make changes in the Gita, the ideal opportunity for him to say so
came in a room conversation that took place on February 24, 1977
in Mayapur. On that occasion, Radhaballabha dasa was describing
how the upcoming printing of the Bhagavad-gita was going to
require so much paper that it would take seventy-six train cars to
transport it (1.5 million copies.)
Srila Prabhupada absolutely did not suggest making any corrections
Disciples speak out 345
Locanananda dasa
still say that it is As It Is? This is a question we must all ask our
self
When Jayadvaita Swami says: the obviously erroneous regulated
principles a term that makes no sense we must know that this
is his opinion only, and it differs with Srila Prabhupadas. It is a
major problem that every time something doesnt make sense to
Jayadvaita Swami he must change it till he can understand it. This is
not the behavior of a disciple. One can become perfectly successful
in the mission of his life if he acts exactly according to the words he
hears from the mouth of his spiritual master. This acceptance of the
words of the spiritual master is called srauta-vakya, which indicates
that the disciple must carry out the spiritual masters instructions
without deviation. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura remarks in
this connection that a disciple must accept the words of his spiritual
master as his life and soul. (Cc Adi 7.72.)
But then he gets particularly obnoxious by saying sarcastically lest
we stand in defiance of Srila Prabhupadas sacred order.
In other words, Prabhupada told him not to change anything in
the verse or the purport, but rather than stay on the safe side, he
ridicules Prabhupadas choice of words and even the notion that
Prabhupadas orders are something other than sacred.
This disregard to his gurus direct personal instruction is simply an
offensive attitude that completely disqualifies him from any ability
or empowerment to do the editing work that he was once trusted
by Srila Prabhupada to do.
Now let us read further into the purport and examine things more.
Did he stop there, or did he continue to change that which he was
specifically instructed not to? The second thing we will find is a
small change (but still a disregard for the clear order of his guru):
A comma was moved, and then farther along we will see the word
ksatriyas was added, an a was changed to the and later was
changed to last some words were moved around and the word
state was changed to stage. So one may claim that these are
Disciples speak out 354
all small changes and are not drastically changing the philosophy.
Okay, fine. Then why change it???
What if we feel that every word Srila Prabhupada has said that
doesnt make sense to our conditioned imperfect mundane mind
and senses should be changed? What if we find something Srila
Prabhupada said, or is in his books, that may not make sense to
the materialistic naradhamas who are less then sudras and are
impersonalistic demons and so-called scholars and philosophers of
Kali yuga? Then should those words be changed also?
But what if we feel that the words of Srila Prabhupada are sacred
and not to be simply deleted and replaced with the ever changing
whims and mental speculations based on the changing mundane
laws and intellect of a conditioned soul and their society (or as
I call it suiciety)? It really doesnt matter what we feel in this
regard, if you agree or disagree, or what other devotees think. It is
all irrelevant. The fact is that Srila Prabhupada never said that his
books should be edited after his disappearance, for any reason.
On the contrary Srila Prabhupada said:
Prabhupada: The system is: whatever authority has done, even
there is mistake, it should be accepted.
Radhaballabha: Oh.
Prabhupada: Arsa prayoga. Arsa prayoga is a Sanskrit word mean-
ing complete acceptance of what is left by the authorities, as it is,
without any change at all. That is ha He should not become more
learned than the authority. That is very bad habit Why finish it?
Whatever is done is done. No more
Radhaballabha: Well, now that this system of no corrections any-
where, that makes it very simple. Then he cant do anything. I dont
think he wants to, either. It makes it more simple for him. It makes
him very uncomfortable.
Prabhupada: No corrections.
(February 28, 1977, Mayapura.)
So unless one is self-realized, there is practically no use writing
Disciples speak out 355
The editors of the 1983 revised Gita did not believe that they actually
interpolated philosophy or style. Their idea was to improve both
translations and purports by transposing and clarifying portions of
old manuscripts, etc. existing prior to the one finally submitted to
Macmillan in 1972. Truly, many of the grammatical, spelling, format
and historical inaccuracies corrected in the revision would have
been approved by Srila Prabhupada himself had he been consulted.
Be that as it may, Srila Prabhupada never instructed anyone to
use a procedure of re-visiting and researching old manuscripts or
dictations to revise future printings of his first editions. On the other
hand, recordings made from 1972 until 1977, six years, demonstrate
how Srila Prabhupada often personally read excerpts from the Gita
in classes, room conversations, engagements, etc. Many times he
also instructed devotees present to read aloud as he listened. There
is no evidence indicating that he ordered extensive revisions for the
next printing. As the current chief editor wrote; To my knowledge,
Disciples speak out 358
The same basic issue came up in 1983 and has continued more or
less for the last 25 years. But for us, now, who will decide who is
right and who is wrong? One side says responsible editing, the
other says irresponsible, unauthorized, etc. But who is right and
who is wrong? Who will decide?
So now we must come to the point of reason. Is it reasonable to
conclude that just five or six years after deserving that 1977 chas-
tisement, editors could have emerged as accomplished scholars
by 1983? One editor escaped chastisement. Still, isnt six years
a short time for everyone to turn up as accomplished scholars?
But even if all the editors had been studying Sanskrit for 30 years
by 1983, is it plausible that such editors could be able to dive
into the superexcellent depths of Sanskrit revelation, and come up
with an understanding of its complexitiesthe same complexities
understood by previous acaryas? Was this the prerogative of such
disciples, that they could be able to see their way through perplex-
ities in the manuscript by consulting the same Sanskrit commen-
taries Srila Prabhupada consulted when writing the Bhagavad-gita
As It Is? Is it possible?
And further, In places the translations, though already correct,
have been revised to come closer to the original Sanskrit Here the
implication is that the editors in 1983, whoever they were, thought
they could interpret the original Sanskrit texts comparatively as
well as Srila Prabhupada himself, or at least well enough to put
their new realizations in his book under his name. And, that they
could understand the same complexities understood by previous
acaryas (presumably Sridhar Swami et. al.) simply by using the
same Sanskrit commentaries Srila Prabhupada used. Is this credi-
ble? Is it reasonable to conclude that such editors were capable of
producing a work of even greater richness and authenticity? Or
that translations already correct could have been revised to even
more correctness by them? Was all this perfection really possible by
1983?
Disciples speak out 360
Rupanuga dasa
Conclusion and call for
action
This book aims to make the world of devotees, scholars, et al.
aware of the proven fact that Srila Prabhupadas original books have
been altered, compromised and changed in ways which he would
never have approved. Therefore it is of immeasurable importance
to preserve the legacy of his original teachings, for the spiritual
benefit of everyone and to assure the future of the Hare Krishna
movement originated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and carried
forward by Srila Prabhupada. This book presents the truth about
the unauthorized editing of Srila Prabhupadas books carefully
chronicled for future readers to ensure his books are perpetuated
as he originally gave them. Srila Prabhupada gave clear instructions
for editing during his presence and for the future. When questions
of choice arose, the principle of arsa prayoga was to be applied.
Everyone seriously interested in the genuine, direct presentation of
Srila Prabhupadas writings, should use copies of the original, pre-
1978 published Srila Prabhupadas works.
The revised editions should be designated as such and the editors
clearly identified. Ideally, the revised editions should be allowed to
go out of print, BBTI should revert to printing the pre-1978 editions
of Srila Prabhupada books, and the Governing Body Commission
of ISKCON should re-establish those editions as the authority for
the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
In any case, Srila Prabhupada-vani is present completely in the
original editions, which remain the basis of the true Hare Krishna
movement and the spearhead of the Golden Age inaugurated by
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Hare Krishna.
Conclusion and call for action 363
Contributors
Andrew Whitlock
Bahusira dasa
Bhagavat dasa
Bhakta Torben
Govinda dasi
Hayagriva dasa
Hrsikesh dasa
Jayadvaita Swami
Locanananda dasa
Madhudvisa dasa
Ramesvara dasa
Rasananda dasa
Rupanuga dasa