Law Books for the Next 10,000 Years
BY: KRISHNA DASA
Nov 22, 2018 — EUROPE (SUN) —
In his recent article, Garuda Prabhu took a cautious stance regarding the often made claim that Srila Prabhupada's books would be the law books for the next ten thousand years. He wrote:
"And if we can trust Ramesvara's quote of Prabhupada, "Yes, my books will be the law books for humanity for the next ten thousand years. That is how I think as I write each word," then we should not change a word unless, in rare instances--and in consultation with a team of peer editors consisting of educated, trained, and experienced dedicated devotees--ONLY when it is deemed to be absolutely necessary."(Garuda)
To my knowledge, Srila Prabhupada did not put it in writing that his books would be the law books for mankind for the next 10,000 years. However, it appears from searching the vedabase that he said it on a number of occasions:
"In the early morning hours, while you were doing your translating work, there was the chance of being called into your room for some small service. Sometimes you would then share charming details of your childhood, your latest philosophical insight, or perhaps a cutting critique of material life.
Knowing this, and eager for such an opportunity, one of your servants began straightening up the foyer in front of your room, deliberately making noise, with the hope that you might hear that he was up and invite him in.
You did. But in a very serious voice you instructed, "Please, don't make noise. Don't you know that I have to select every word so carefully? These pages will stand as the law books for the next ten thousand years." (Badrinarayana Maharaja)
"The fact that we continue to seek solutions by consulting Prabhupada's teachings indicates that we believe they are relevant. That he himself said (in my presence) that they would continue to be the law books for the next ten thousand years is as strong a warrant as we could wish." (Tamal Krsna Maharaja)
"August of 1973 Srila Prabhupada stayed at Bhaktivedanta Manor for over a month. Most evenings there was a lively darshan. Srila Prabhupada would speak to various guests. George Harrison, Donavan, Ravi Shankar and others came one night after the other.....
Night after night I was told to quote from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. It was during one of these evening darshans Srila Prabhupada clearly said, "These books are the law-books for the next ten thousand years." (Srutakirti)
"We were just amazed that Prabhupada knew everything and I blurted out, "Srila Prabhupada, you know everything about everything. You see the future, you comment on things that are current, but also talk about the future." I said, "This is what makes your books so unique. Previous great acharyas have written commentaries on Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, but your commentaries are not only perfect for the time that we're living in, but they're perfect for the future because you have the ability to see the future. It's just amazing to me how unique and special your books are." Srila Prabhupada smiled and said, "Yes. My books will be the law books for humanity for the next ten thousand years. That is how I think as I write each word." (Ramesvara)
