Srila Prabhupada’s Books Are Not Authorized
I always assumed that every word that I read in a BBT book was authorized by Srila Prabhupada. Despite overhearing occasional chatter to the contrary, I did not pay much attention to the detractors. For decades, I was a mushroom in the cellar. By Prabhupada’s mercy, I gradually woke up from my illusion to find myself in the company of a fringe minority. The rest of Iskcon was living in a different paradigm. I was no longer welcomed in the Matrix. By Krishna’s inconceivable mercy, I found my way back through the labyrinth. This is my story.
Background:
As the founder, director, and engine behind Iskcon Television from the late seventies onwards, I was an integral part of the international preaching effort. I not only produced shows worldwide, but I was responsible for collecting the funds from the zonal acaryas who were benefiting from monthly receiving new programs in the temples under their jurisdiction. Financial transactions are where the spiritual rubs right up against the material. You really get to see the attachments to money and power. To say that I had difficulty collecting from some leaders is an understatement. Despite agreements and fulfillments, they held onto their currencies without regard for keeping promises and putting me into awkward situations and prolonged anxiety. I earned a hard-learned lesson: what you see is not necessarily what is true. Krishna was teaching me: look under every rock. Unfortunately, I was a slow learner.
When the Bhagavad gita was republished in 1983, I paid no attention. Actually, no one paid much attention. I mean, “No one.” The manuscript had been sent to some GBC’s, but these many years later, all admitted to not reading it. Ramesvara was the North American BBT Trustee (although the books were never published from the Trust; always from Iskcon Los Angeles). He had ordered it edited. Prabhupada had authorized errors and mistakes to be corrected. Ramesvara also didn’t read through it. A few GBC’s had met in Detroit and talk ed about some changes with the chosen editor, Jayadwaita Swami, but they just scratched the surface. Ultimately, there were thousands of changes – some doing exactly as Srila Prabhupada had requested by fixing mistakes. However, there were many changes that reached far beyond Prabhupada’s mandate. Even “The Blessed Lord” was replaced by “The Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Strange that no one noticed, but reading Srila Prabhupada’s books was never a priority for most in those days. Making disciples was the main focus of the preaching. The changes were, well, small change, to the bigger picture of growing ever bigger followings.
Implosion and Distraction
In 1986, Iskcon imploded. The zonal acaryas fell like so many Humpty Dumpty’s. Entire countries like France were decimated. (They never recovered.) From falling down with godbrothers wives to marrying disciples to murders, Iskcon lost its groove. A convention was hastily convened to salvage the carnage. Godbrothers (no sisters, sorry) who had wanted to be guru’s finally saw their opportunity. The GBC “opened up” the doors to guruship to a few more selected leaders. These sannyasi’s already had their own flocks, and they soon turned them into their disciples. It wasn’t long before a new order evolved, but the powerful position of guru/GBC was still held tightly by an inner core. The door on including more guru’s slammed nearly shut. No one was paying much attention to what had been happening with the books. Temples were going bankrupt. Sheer determination by many temple presidents kept the deities served and the temple doors open. Gradually, a sort of stasis was established by the early 90’s. With an uneasy peace in most places, there was time to contemplate.
Revelation and Ostracism
The machinations of the 80’s paved the way to ritviksim. Faith in the Iskcon guru’s had been lost by many Prabhupada disciples. Prominent sanyassi’s turned to Narayan Maharaja who capitalized on the unhappiness and started preaching in the US and other countries. Then an Australian devotee, Madhudvisa, (not the orginal ACBSP disciple) dropped a bombshell. He had meticulously compared the MacMillian 1972 Gita with the revised edition. There were nearly 5000 changes! Gradually, a few devotees began to lobby for the changes to be rolled back, but they were all labeled “crazies” by the BBT managers and the Iskcon leadership. “Don’t listen to them; they are envious snakes.” By 1998-9, those “envious snakes” had launched a lawsuit against the BBT, and the BBT after an expensive fight, had to settle. Krishna Books was born and conferred with the rights to publish/distribute the Mac72 Gita. In return, Hansadhutta and others resigned as lifetime BBT trustees. The lawsuit was costly. That’s a lot of books. But these “malcontents” were still maligned by the established order of Iskcon. Jayadwaita had been authorized by the BBT to do the editing, and he did a great job according to them. The BBTInternational had been formed as a corporation to hold all the copyrights to Prabhupada’s books. It isn’t a trust though that word is in its name. It promised to return all the copyrights to the actual California trust set up by Srila Prabhupada when the ritvik case over the Long Island temple is resolved. That case has been going on for over twenty years. Lawyers have long ago advised the BBTI that there is no jeopardy from that case.
Fast Forward
The SABHA passed a proposal last year that requested the GBC to appoint a board of editors to review all of the changes made by Jayadwaita Swami and make recommendations. Garuda also organized a symposium of both Vaisnava and non-Vaisnava scholars to write and present papers on the issue of what are the academic standards regarding posthumous editing. That symposium took place in February 2020 at the Graduate Theological Union. A BBTI manager was invited to observe but chose not to come. An informal meeting had taken place in Washington D.C. mediated by Iskcon Resolve. Out of that meeting, a decision was made to form an editorial board from recommendations made by the GBC. The BBTI put together a board which later became a six person panel – RRP. The BBTI decided to make the panel advisory. They kept their own editorial board amongst themselves. The panel is to decide principles and guidelines for making changes in the books. They have been formed since January, but their is code of confidentiality imposed upon the panel. No one really knows what they have done or are doing.
The Present Challenge
Jayadwaita Swami formally resigned from the BBTI. I say formally because he is still very much involved. He is continuing to make suggestions for changes. He recently didn’t like Srila Prabhupada’s use of the word “sanguine” and suggested that it was incorrect. Prabhupada had typed that word himself in a draft. Dravida agreed and, in another example, added that he was doubtful that Prabhupada’s use of the word “integrity” was proper. He has changed numerous words verifiably written by Srila Prabhupada that he “feels” are not what Prabhupada meant to say. The incessant drive to “improve” Prabhupada is without the authority of the author. Author. Authority. I hope that the panel (RRP) can influence the BBT editorial board to end this madness and let Prabhupada speak for himself. Prabhupada picked Hayagriva as the editor of the Gita. Prabhupada read and spoke from that Mac 72 edition for five years. Anyone has a right to pen their own Gita. Certainly, they would not want someone to change it to “sound better” or “make more sense” without their permission. Jayadwaita Swami himself admits that he has no authority from Srila Prabhupada to edit the Gita. In “Responsible Editing” he writes, “”To my knowledge, Srila Prabhupada never asked us to re-edit the book,” (Mac ‘72) in a reply to Amogha Lila in July 1986. Srila Prabhupada often expressed his concern that we have the “change disease.” I want to read a BG that I know has been fully authorized by Srila Prabhupada. I don’t want to be presented with a Gita that has someone else’s words. The BBT should put Jayadwaita Swami’s name on the front cover of the revised Gita as the editor because that’s the truth. What you are reading in the 1983 revised edition does not contain all Srila Prabhupada’s words or the words of his editor (Hayagriva) who worked closely with Prabhupada to produce that Mac ‘72 edition.
Epilogue
I have known and been friends with Jayadwaita Swami since working at Tiffany Press, Brooklyn, 1971. I care for him and all my godbrothers/sisters. I am hardly the only one speaking out against the unauthorized changes. Nine GBC sponsored the SABHA proposal to have the GBC select the RRP members. They and others are also concerned. Ramesvara, the NA BBT Trustee throughout Srila Prabhupada’s presence, said that not reviewing the revised edition was the single worst mistake in his life. Rupanuga, an early disciple, GBC, and former BBT Trustee, has written volumes about the offenses made by changing the books. Ekanatha, protector of Bhaktivedanta Archives, is against all except fixing the errors and mistakes. Bhutatma, currently working on re-editing a book with the BBT, has been trying to convince the BBT managers that the editing went way too far. Urmila dd has voiced her strong adherence to the principles of arsa prayoga which goes so far as to say to leave the books even with the mistakes. Visnumurti, the guardian of Prabhupada’s vani, Gargamuni, Govinda dasi, Shyamasundar, Gurudas, Dhanajaya, Garuda, Pancharatna, Bir Krishna Goswami, Hrydayananda Goswami, Atmanivedana Swami, Bhakti Dhira Damodhara Swami, Bhakti Bhagavatamrita Swami, and so many others join the cacophony expressing doubt about the validity of Jayadwaita’s changes. The time has come to take their voices to heart. There is a disconnect. It is between those who think they can improve upon Srila Prabhupada and those that like him as he is, and the book, Bhagavat, as it is (with only errors and mistakes corrected).
(by DAVID NRSIMHANANDA SHAPIRO – APRIL 22, 2020)
Srila Prabhupada’s Changed Books are not authorized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEDd0eBJe2U
Hare Krsna Dear Nrsinghananda prabhu,
Thank you for this post. Actually what grabbed my attention when the ’83 BG came out, was that I now had to ‘relearn’ both subtle & gross changes in slokas I’d lectured on for many years.
All ever needed was ‘proof-reading’ to correct any spelling, grammatical errors or accidental omissions, for subsequent printings of Srila Prabhupada’s original Transcendental literatures, that he authorized, read himself and from which he lectured and spoke.
As I understand, with all of Srila Prabhupada’s books published during his vapu presence with us, the actual ‘editing’ was done in consultation with his chosen editors, prior to the final manuscript (not draft) being submitted to the publishers. As we can see below, an editor works with the writer to prepare that final manuscript, not changing his published work after his passing.
In the relationship between the author and the editor, there are two principal areas covered by editors – Proofing (checking the Grammar and spelling, looking for typing errors) and Layout (the setting of the final proof ready for publishing often requires minor text changes so a layout editor is usually required to ensure that these do not alter the sense of the text).
Srila Prabhupada never appointed ‘editors’ to alter or change his original published works, all that was needed were qualified ‘Proof-readers’ to correct any spelling or grammatical errors that may have been missed in a previous printing. An editor cannot make changes to an author’s work after the passing of the author. To get around this of course, is why they have labelled Srila Prabhupada a ‘Writer for hire’, who only worked for the BBT.
BBTi – and the stolen Copyright Record – http://www.iskcon-truth.com/bbt-bbti.html
In 1995 it was all changed. BBTI, another legal entity only formed in 1988 with no connection to BBT, stole these copyrights through a fake transfer of copyright to it.
Quiz: Please find the name of Srila Prabhupada in the copyright record!
Ans: You cannot! Author has been replaced by BBT , and this work was made by “Worker for Hire” (ticked “yes” box below the Author line).
In effect what this copyright record signifies is that Bhagavad Gita As It Is was authored by the BBT, which hired Srila Prabhupada as its worker!”
Definitions:
DEVELOPMENT EDITOR—Helps a writer develop a book from idea or outline or initial draft. Makes sure the book will meet the needs of the publisher and its readers. Will work with the author through any number of drafts. Guides the writer in topics to be covered in or omitted from the book.
COPY/MANUSCRIPT EDITOR—(These may be two different positions or one that combines elements of both or the same position called by a different name.) Ensures that the manuscript meets in-house style standards and corrects grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Checks facts and may suggest different words. Verifies headings, statistics, data in graphs, and footnote entries.
PROOF-READER—. The proof-reader is the last person to check a manuscript before publication, to eliminate errors. A proof-reader is not an editor in the traditional sense, but because of a crossover between duties, an editor may be the proof-reader.
Your fallen servant,
Balaram das
ps.. loved your pilgrimage to Ahobilam.
Atonement is sometimes misunderstood. Although Nrisimhananda is expressing favorable realizations about the book changes and the Culprits, he leaves behind many important points about the origin and causes of the book changes and the actors and supporters of the false Gurus in ISKCON. The very same people and non- devotees like Ridayananda and Bir Krsna,are the problem or part of the problem in essence. These actors, along with the GBC and Iskcon Gurus, helped create the ingredients and Vehicles by which Jayadwaita ,Dravida and Company were able to get away with their sinful activities.
The ‘plan’ was always there!
After one year gathering info of the different arguments and another year organizing the compilation, I published «Arsa Prayoga» book about changes to Srila Prabhupada’s books (look in Amazon).
The only problem is to present posthumous editions as the original. This is not correct for ANY book anyway.
My humble conclusion is also a solution for the complex puzzle:
1. Continue to publish Srila Prabhupada’s original Macmillan ’72 Bhagavad gita so as to conserve the original unchanged (primary source).
2. Let all devotees that think they can improve the book, publish their versions with their name as editors clearly on the front cover as it is usually done in the academic circles.
Then, let the public choose which version they want to personally keep and read. This fulfills Srila Prabhupada’s desire of «no change» and the ardent desire of some scholar devotees to do so.
End of the problem.
Yes, let those who know more, or how to present better than Srila Prabhupada, come forward and show your craft!
In 1974 Srila Prabhupada was taking Madhudvisa’s hand for assistance as he was coming up the bank out of the Ganga. He then threw Madhudvisa’s hand aside and stated… ‘this is how the impersonalists treat their guru… take assistance then cast him aside’.
Srila Prabhupada’s short narration comes to mind>>>
Punar mūṣiko bhava (Become Mouse Again!)
https://youtu.be/lY3ldIk5w3c
Yfs, Balaram das.
Jagannatha Mishra Das:
2. Let all devotees that think they can improve the book, publish their versions with their name as editors clearly on the front cover as it is usually done in the academic circles.
Mahesh: we do NOT need extra hopeful baboons doing the work of editing. In Srila Prabhupada’s time he had given classes from the ORIGINAL Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-Gita As It Is etc TAPES WERE RECORDED. We are NOT to change ANYTHING: “But we don’t change anything.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda: You can take Kṛṣṇa’s mercy also, provided it is delivered as it is. Just as we are teaching Bhagavad-gītā In Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
[Bg. 18.66]
“Just give up all other forms of religion and simply surrender unto Me.” Now we are saying that you should give up everything and surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, there is no difference between Kṛṣṇa’s instruction and our instruction. There is no deviation. So if you receive knowledge in that perfect way, that is as good as receiving instruction directly from Kṛṣṇa. But we don’t change anything.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/pqpa/3
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770622rc.vrn
Yaśodā-nandana: Sometimes they appeal that “We can make better English,” so they change like that, just like in the case of Īśopaniṣad. There are over a hundred changes. So where is the need? Your words are sufficient. The potency is there. When they change, it is something else.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: That’s actually a very dangerous mentality.
Yaśodā-nandana: What is it going to be in five years? It’s going to be a different book.
Prabhupāda: So you… What you are going… It is very serious situation. You write one letter that “Why you have made so many changes?” And whom to write? Who will care? All rascals are there. Write to Satsvarūpa that “This is the position. They are doing anything and everything at their whim.” The next printing should be again to the original way.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They should have a board of Satsvarūpa and Jayādvaita.
Prabhupāda: Hm.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Those two men are both in Los Angeles now.
Prabhupāda: So write them immediately that “The rascal editors, they are doing havoc, and they are being maintained by Rāmeśvara and party.”
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Sometimes there’s a fear that some word will be unpopular, and on account of desire to gain popularity or acceptance, they lessen the strength of the word. They change the word. They choose a word which is more so-called acceptable.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: Same thing is with the Back to Godhead. Just publish some photo, try to change so many things in order to make it popularized. They have been doing that even with the philosophy. (pause)
Śatadhanya: I remember when Rāmeśvara was here, he had mentioned that in one article you had denounced the Christians strongly, so he said he left one part out because he was afraid there would be a bad reaction from the Christians in America.
Prabhupāda: That is possible. That is possible. He should be careful. Then?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I think in addition to Satsvarūpa and Jayādvaita checking the English, that Bhakti-prema Mahārāja has to check all the Sanskrit of all of the books… He’s translating now, so as he’s translating, he can check. He’s going, starting from the First Canto.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: I think this is very appropriate, because checking English doesn’t have any meaning without checking the Sanskrit, the original.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: There was one verse in the Fifth Canto. From the way that they translated it, there was no way that anyone could possibly have understood what the verse meant. I mean, it was made unintelligible by the translation. So we were reading. Finally Bhakti-prema says, “Wait a minute. This translation is wrong. They have edited an extra statement here that is not there, and it makes it completely not understandable.” Then suddenly, when he corrected the Sanskrit, it was easy to understand. It was very clear.
Prabhupāda: So what to do?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So I think we just have to be slow but sure. We have to go over all of the books and make sure that they’re perfect before they’re printed again. Not be in such a rush, print, print, and print all nonsense.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: One time I had a strong talk with Rāmeśvara Mahārāja about our article for printing in the Back to Godhead. I didn’t want them to be printed in Back to Godhead because they made so many changes…
Prabhupāda: Oh, he has dared to change yours also?
Svarūpa Dāmodara: Oh, yes. They change so many things in our article. And it was on the telephone. I was speaking to him in Atlanta from Los Angeles. And I told him that “This article should not be printed because they have made so many changes.” And I didn’t like that. Then they answered that “It has already been offset, and BBT policy is always to be rushing. It’s always BBT policy.” Then I told him that “If you sacrifice quality on the strength of rushing, then it is your business, but that’s not my way, so please don’t print it.” But in any case, they have printed anyway that article. And we all had a bad reaction.
Prabhupāda: So you bring this to Satsvarūpa. They cannot change anything.