Sep 09, USA: In “BBTedits” by Maha Vidya prabhu, he quotes Jnanagamya das as recently writing the following in discussions related to the new BBTedits official Internet web site:
“Without editing, Prabhupada’s teachings would be subject to criticism from persons with a higher academic standard than most truck drivers usually manifest.”
I now feel compelled to share with the Vaisnava community an essay written by someone who was personally present with Srila Prabhupada from the very first days on 26 Second Ave. — Rupanuga prabhu.
The following quotes are taken from Rupanuga’s “Where Angels Fear To Tread” and show how indeed, scholars, educators, professors and other reviewers never called for a revised or edited edition of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
“There is no evidence indicating that he ordered extensive revisions for the next printing. As the current chief editor wrote; “To my knowledge, Srila Prabhupada never asked us to re-edit the book.”
(Letter to Amogha Lila, July, 1986)
And further Rupanuga writes
“Interestingly enough, none of the scholars, educators, professors and other reviewers of the Gita called for it either. From 1972 until 1983 we don’t find requests from professionals for a revision to a higher standard. Nor do we hear any demand from devotees in general for such a thorough revision. In fact, the editors state in “A Note About the Second Edition” found in the BBT revised editions: “Yet their effort to publish Srila Prabhupada’s work was a success, and the Bhagavad-gita As It Is has become the standard edition for scholars and devotees around the world.” Still, after eleven years of documented success, the Gita was extensively re-worked. Why? What is the reason?”
Please take a few moments and study Rupanuga prabhu’s paper:
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