A Glimpse into Some of the Changes to Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita As It Is
BY: MAHAJAN DASA
Apr 20, 2010 — WEST VIRGINIA, USA (SUN) — This presentation was conceived and written by a group of concerned devotees in 2008.
Introduction:
The changing of Srila Prabhupada's books has been an ongoing and ever-increasing concern in the devotee community particularly since his original 1970 unabridged Macmillan Bhagavad-gita was revised and enlarged in 1983 -- six years after he left this world. Even while he was physically present, much to his displeasure, increasingly unauthorized corrections and changes were showing up in reprints of his already published books. While some of his editors at that time were taking inches and even yards, we now have editors who are taking spectacular miles. The following presentation shows just a fraction of the nearly five thousand changes made to Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
In preparing the working manuscripts for the first printed edition of his books, Srila Prabhupada engaged his editors in finding and correcting typographical errors and grammatical irregularities. After the book was published and printed, still to a limited degree, he expected his editors to root out further technical errors in the next reprints of his books, but never without his consent. Srila Prabhupada also personally requested a few additional changes and corrections. Despite his instructions, however, many unauthorized changes were showing up in his books.
By 1976-1977, Srila Prabhupada was closing the doors to any further editings of his books. This can be seen from some of Srila Prabhupada's lectures, letters, recorded conversations, and anectodal accounts from devotees who directly heard from him. Most importantly, it should be known that he never appointed anyone to independently re-edit any of his books after his physical departure. In fact it was publicly admitted by Jayadvaita Swami in the 1998 BBT booklet, Responsible Publishing, that no one was ever given an order by Srila Prabhupada to re-edit his Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
It is an essential and enlightening lesson for us all to understand that despite the best efforts of Srila Prabhupada's editors, he was fully aware that there remained technical discrepancies in his books. At the same time he assures us in his preface to the Srimad-Bhagavatam:
"I must admit my frailties in presenting , but still I am hopeful of it's 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 janatagha-viplavo
yasmin prati-slokam abaddhavaty api
namany anantasya yaso 'nkitani yac
chrinvanti gayanti grinanti sadhavah
"On 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." Therefore, devotees are guaranteed all spiritual success by exclusively reading and distributing 's original and personally approved books.
In addition, please refer to the section in this presentation which shows thirty-seven paintings from the original Bhagavad-gita that were entirely excluded in the new and revised edition. Is it Is it possible that Srila Prabhupada would be pleased by this?
If you wish to further explore this subject of book changes, there are some excellent internet websites that provide detailed information. Simply type into your search engine: Adi-vani.org or Changes to Srila Prabhupada's books. There you will find many related listings. Please be sure to click on all the links and categories that appear on each website. These websites are constantly updated, so it is a good idea to check them at least once a month. Thanks to the efforts of the devotees who maintain these websites, and the devotees who have submitted so many excellent and informative articles to them, there is now great awareness of how Srila Prabhupada's books are being changed.
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