[PADA: Yep, when we first came out with our complaints about the BBT book changes in our early publications the 1980s, even a number of our God brothers said we were "making offenses to the GBC, to their gurus, and to the authorized representatives of Krishna" etc. Fast forward to today, and not only many God brothers but also many followers of GBC's gurus, Narayan Maharaja folks, and many others are saying -- wait a minute, do we really want to have the books edited?
Then again, when the editor in question (Jayadvaita swami) says in ISKCON their gurus are maybe falling into illicit sex with men, women and children, you need to ask yourself why that person is even allowed to enter ISKCON property much less be selected as the editor? Apparently in Alachua Florida ISKCON leadership, as soon as a person says God's successors are out there having illicit sex with men, women and children, they fall off their seats and lick that person's shoes.
Did we forget to mention Jayadvaita says the ritviks (anyone who worships Srila Prabhupada and not his illicit sex debauchee's guru lineages) are not going back to Godhead. Wow, only by worship of illicit sex with men, women and children guru lineages does a person go to God? And this is the guy they want to edit all the books? Why is Alachua ISKCON promoting this process? ys pd]
Editing of the Founder-Acharya's Scriptures
BY: HLADINI SAKTI DEVI DASI (ALACHUA, FLORIDA)
I wanted to share my realizations regarding the editing of our Founder-Acharya's Scriptures. For too long I accepted the official policy and rationale for the edits. Only this year, did I research the edits for myself. At the end of a nine day sojourn, I came to the realization that the Lord, Himself, has arranged this transcendental controversy in order to increase our love for Srila Prabhupada.
I've been a devotee long enough to know that offenses can destroy my spiritual life. I applaud the Sampradaya Sun for maintaining a semblance of Vaisnava etiquette. My prayer is that Srila Prabhupada uses what ever skills I've acquired in his service. I pray I may be of some small assistance in re-establishing His Divine Grace's original scriptures in his founded temples and all other temples that bear the proud name of ISKCON.
About 6 or 7 months ago I was encouraged by Damodara Swami (f/k/a Prabhupada das) to read the book changes side by side. So I did. It was a nine day journey, and I cried each and every day for nine days. As described in my offering to Srila Prabhupada on his Disappearance Day, which is submitted below, I went through a myriad of emotions. I pretty much stopped work, ate little, and slept less. I was heart broken. During those nine days, I also read Arsha Prayoga once, and then re-read much of the book again. On the ninth day, I ran across this comparison to His Divine Grace's purport in Bg. 12.2:
"For one in such Krsna consciousness there are no material activities because everything is done by Krsna."
As compared to the edited version:
"For one in such Krsna consciousness there are no material activities, because everything is done for Krsna."
Just one word changed and viola, you've got Mayavadi Philosophy. I became so angry; I started railing at the four walls, "THIS IS MAYAVADI PHILOSOPHY! PRABHUPADA CAME TO DESTROY MAYAVADI PHILOSOPHY! BECOMING A DEVOTEE DOESN'T MAKE US THE DOER! EVEN PRABHUPADA TOLD US, HE WAS NOT THE DOER! KRSNA IS THE DOER!
In that moment Krsna spoke to me from the heart: "The editors are not the doers either." It's amazing how easy it is to become covered over by the illusory energy. Hence my realization that the Lord, Himself, has created this Transcendental Controversy to increase our love for Srila Prabhupada. Since taking the suggestion of Damodara Swami to compare the '72 Gita to the edited version, I have once again, after many years of drought, dove into the sparkling, celestial waters of His Divine Grace's Scriptures. Thank you Damodara Swami Maharaja from the bottom of my heart!
This controversy is an excellent preaching platform in the West. Every Westerner will resonate with disdain, anger and irritation to hear the Hare Krsna Scriptures have been changed. They will feel anger and indignation to learn how the BBT was sued by Srila Prabhupada's disciples just for the right to print his Divine Grace's Scriptures - after more than a decade of being out of print. They will immediately come to Srila Prabhupada's defense when they learn the BBT proffered the losing argument in Court that Srila Prabhupada was merely a hired author and the BBT commissioned the writing of these books!
Westerner's know all about Scriptural changes.
Another realization I have about this controversy is that, for me, I never had any other scriptures to compare Srila Prabhupada's Scriptures to. Reading and comparing Srila Prabhupada's Gita to the edited version starkly showcased His Divine Grace's rich and textured prose. The Song of God is poetry personified, and Srila Prabhupada did not disappoint. Some of His Divine Grace's verses read like silk, satin, and brocade. When compared against each other, Srila Prabhupada's prose is Divinely Exquisite while the edited prose, at times, comes out garbled like marbles in the mouth.
I wept bitterly at the loss of Srila Prabhupada's poetry.
For my own spiritual protection, I view the edited books as an effort to serve Srila Prabhupada and ultimately as Krsna's arrangement. These edited books glorify the Lord, and Srila Prabhupada's influence is still keenly felt; however, where the authorities did not follow mundane, material, ethical publishing standards, in the eyes of Academia, the edited books are a flim-flam job. Essentially, His Divine Grace's Scriptures have been literally edited out of the Academic Community!
This is unacceptable.
In an effort to bring this fact to the attention of the ISKCON authorities, Garuda Prabhu is hosting a conference of scholars to publish their thesis' on the pressing issue: posthumous editing of His Divine Grace's scriptures. A Go-Fund-Me has been established for this purpose, if you can donate to this cause, please do so.
Finally, I am submitting my offering to Srila Prabhupada for publication on the Sampradaya Sun. On His Divine Grace's Disappearance Day, my offering was interrupted and I was stopped by the temple president in Alachua from reading my offering because I was speaking about these changes.
All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!
Your servant,
Hladini Sakti devi dasi
========================
Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances! All Glories to your Divine Appearance, all Glories to your Divine Service and all Glories to your Divine Passing!
I offer my humble obeisances to my dear brother, Karuna Sindhu Das, by who's mercy I was introduced to your International Society for Krsna Conscienceness, by who's mercy your Divine Books made their way into my home, and by who's mercy I was introduced to my dear spiritual master.
I offer my humble obeisance to my ever well wisher and beloved spiritual master, His Grace Tamal Krsna Goswami, who so expertly engaged me in devotional service and who expertly plucked me out of the vast ocean of ignorance and misery.
I offer my humble obeisances to my good husband, Vaisnavananda Prabhu, by who's mercy I am immersed in Srila Prabhupada's wonderful scriptures and by who's association I am able to serve many senior and exalted devotees.
I offer my humble obeisances to all the devotees assembled here for the purpose of glorifying the most munificent benefactor of Bhakti, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada!
Srila Prabhupada, I offer my humble obeisances to your Divine Ecstacy, the Crown Jewel of Bhakti, the core lawbook of the three worlds for the next 10,000 years, your Divinely Flawless 1972 Bhagavad Gita As It Is.
About 22 years ago, I questioned the changes to your books and was told that the changes would make your books shine brighter in the Academic world, that now your books would be spotless.
Srila Prabhupada, please forgive me. For 22 years I slept walked under the illusion that your books had some flaws. For 22 years, I had forgotten that your books were already embraced by the Academic community. For 22 years, I had forgotten all the big, big endorsements from important professors hailing from important academic institutions. For 22 years, I forgot that your books were already being used in University class rooms across the country, all while you walked the planet.
Srila Prabhupada, I'm sorry I forgot.
Please forgive this forgetful, sleeping fool that sits before you today.
Please forgive me, Srila Prabhupada. You told us that you did not write these books. You told us that Krsna personally dictated these books to you. You told us you were Krsna's intimate cowherd friend. You told us Krsna had to bribe you to come to the material world. Why did you come to the material world? Why did Krsna have to bribe you?
To write these books.
Did I not believe Krsna whispered the Bhagavad Gita As It Is into your ear?
Srila Prabhupada, Please forgive this faithless fool sitting before you today.
Srila Prabhupada, even though I am well read, well educated, and proud of my academic achievements, still I fell under the spell of illusion and was misled. I have read 1,000 bookds in my life time. I know that when a book is edited, the Editors' names are printed on the book. I know that a well edited book has footnotes and other notations regarding the edits. I have read enough books to know that post humus editing is not practiced. I know the edited version of your books do not conform to mundane material ethical publishing standards. Yet I accepted the disengenuous excuse of improving your books for the academic community as if I was an uneducated village girl.
Please Srila Prabhupada, forgive this misled and ignorant fool that sits before you today.
Srila Prabhupada, spurred on by Divine intervention and on of your dear disciples, after 22 years, I studied the book changes side by side for more than 70 hours. I studied the carefully crafted book, Arsa Prayoga and learned the spiritual principals of respecting and honoring the Acharya's written words.
It is hard to describe the myriad emotions I experienced while studying your Divine Crown Jewel, the Bhagavad Gita As It Is side by side with the edited version. I experienced shock, alarm, indignation, disbelief, and irritation. Sometimes I would be stunned and become bewildered, and sometimes I would laugh out loud like a madman.
Please Srila Prabhupada, forgive this laughing mad fool that sits before you today.
While studying and comparing your Gita to the edited version, the main emotion I felt was a deep sorrow and loss for the beauty and potency of the '72 Gita. Yes, I experienced a myriad of emotions, but mostly I cried. I cried and cried; for nine days I cried.
Why did I cry? Becuase your glorious prose and excellent poetry had been butchered or stolen and hyjacked away.
Why did I cry? Because a secret sruti, a key that unlocks the heart to revealed scriptures has been lost with the edits
Why did I cry? Because of the all too numerous, un-necessary and frivolous changes substituing your beautiful words.
Why did I cry? Because now your books are tainted with Mayavadi Philosophy. The very philosophy you especially came to destroy.
Srila Prabhupada, Please forgive this crying fool that sits before you today.
Srila Prabhupada, As I sit here revealing my heart and mind in front of the assembly of Vaisnavas, I am trembling like a leaf. I am fearful because there is a terrible pressure applied to those speak out against the editing of your scriptures. Devotees who wish to discuss and debate these book changes are subject to banishment, threatened with sanctions, followed around, spied on and chastised. I have remained silent out of fear of censorship. I have remained silent out of fear of chastisement.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, please forgive this silent and cowardly fool who sits before you today.
Twice a year the devotees gather to glorify your super human deeds. Twice a year the devotees praise and glorify your astounding achievement of writing the Law Books for mankind that will stand for the next 10,000 years.
Yet all the devotees know your books have been changed. How can the written law books be changed?
Only by a higher court!
I work as an attorney and when the circuit court makes a mistake, it's appealed to the district court of appeal, from there it is appealed to the State Supreme Court, from there it is appealed to the Federal District Court and from there it is appealed to the highest court in the land, the United States Supreme Court.
Srila Prabhupada, by your mercy, this world has received the greatest fortune. You have gifted the world the top most, absolute highest knowledge for escaping the vicious cycle of birth and death.
Who is a higher authority than your Divine Grace? What higher authority can your written words be appealed to? What lunacy is this?
As for me, Srila Prabhupada, I consider you the highest authority of revealed scripture in all the three worlds. One of your many remarkable qualities is that you never misled us. When you say Lord Krsna dictated these books to you, I know that I can take that to the bank!
On this Auspicious Day of your Disappearance, I sit before you a begging fool, begging for a particle of dust from your Lotus Feet to land on my head. .
Your foolish granddaugther,
Hladini Sakti devi dasi, (TKG, 1984)
Then again, when the editor in question (Jayadvaita swami) says in ISKCON their gurus are maybe falling into illicit sex with men, women and children, you need to ask yourself why that person is even allowed to enter ISKCON property much less be selected as the editor? Apparently in Alachua Florida ISKCON leadership, as soon as a person says God's successors are out there having illicit sex with men, women and children, they fall off their seats and lick that person's shoes.
Did we forget to mention Jayadvaita says the ritviks (anyone who worships Srila Prabhupada and not his illicit sex debauchee's guru lineages) are not going back to Godhead. Wow, only by worship of illicit sex with men, women and children guru lineages does a person go to God? And this is the guy they want to edit all the books? Why is Alachua ISKCON promoting this process? ys pd]
Editing of the Founder-Acharya's Scriptures
BY: HLADINI SAKTI DEVI DASI (ALACHUA, FLORIDA)
I wanted to share my realizations regarding the editing of our Founder-Acharya's Scriptures. For too long I accepted the official policy and rationale for the edits. Only this year, did I research the edits for myself. At the end of a nine day sojourn, I came to the realization that the Lord, Himself, has arranged this transcendental controversy in order to increase our love for Srila Prabhupada.
I've been a devotee long enough to know that offenses can destroy my spiritual life. I applaud the Sampradaya Sun for maintaining a semblance of Vaisnava etiquette. My prayer is that Srila Prabhupada uses what ever skills I've acquired in his service. I pray I may be of some small assistance in re-establishing His Divine Grace's original scriptures in his founded temples and all other temples that bear the proud name of ISKCON.
About 6 or 7 months ago I was encouraged by Damodara Swami (f/k/a Prabhupada das) to read the book changes side by side. So I did. It was a nine day journey, and I cried each and every day for nine days. As described in my offering to Srila Prabhupada on his Disappearance Day, which is submitted below, I went through a myriad of emotions. I pretty much stopped work, ate little, and slept less. I was heart broken. During those nine days, I also read Arsha Prayoga once, and then re-read much of the book again. On the ninth day, I ran across this comparison to His Divine Grace's purport in Bg. 12.2:
"For one in such Krsna consciousness there are no material activities because everything is done by Krsna."
As compared to the edited version:
"For one in such Krsna consciousness there are no material activities, because everything is done for Krsna."
Just one word changed and viola, you've got Mayavadi Philosophy. I became so angry; I started railing at the four walls, "THIS IS MAYAVADI PHILOSOPHY! PRABHUPADA CAME TO DESTROY MAYAVADI PHILOSOPHY! BECOMING A DEVOTEE DOESN'T MAKE US THE DOER! EVEN PRABHUPADA TOLD US, HE WAS NOT THE DOER! KRSNA IS THE DOER!
In that moment Krsna spoke to me from the heart: "The editors are not the doers either." It's amazing how easy it is to become covered over by the illusory energy. Hence my realization that the Lord, Himself, has created this Transcendental Controversy to increase our love for Srila Prabhupada. Since taking the suggestion of Damodara Swami to compare the '72 Gita to the edited version, I have once again, after many years of drought, dove into the sparkling, celestial waters of His Divine Grace's Scriptures. Thank you Damodara Swami Maharaja from the bottom of my heart!
This controversy is an excellent preaching platform in the West. Every Westerner will resonate with disdain, anger and irritation to hear the Hare Krsna Scriptures have been changed. They will feel anger and indignation to learn how the BBT was sued by Srila Prabhupada's disciples just for the right to print his Divine Grace's Scriptures - after more than a decade of being out of print. They will immediately come to Srila Prabhupada's defense when they learn the BBT proffered the losing argument in Court that Srila Prabhupada was merely a hired author and the BBT commissioned the writing of these books!
Westerner's know all about Scriptural changes.
Another realization I have about this controversy is that, for me, I never had any other scriptures to compare Srila Prabhupada's Scriptures to. Reading and comparing Srila Prabhupada's Gita to the edited version starkly showcased His Divine Grace's rich and textured prose. The Song of God is poetry personified, and Srila Prabhupada did not disappoint. Some of His Divine Grace's verses read like silk, satin, and brocade. When compared against each other, Srila Prabhupada's prose is Divinely Exquisite while the edited prose, at times, comes out garbled like marbles in the mouth.
I wept bitterly at the loss of Srila Prabhupada's poetry.
For my own spiritual protection, I view the edited books as an effort to serve Srila Prabhupada and ultimately as Krsna's arrangement. These edited books glorify the Lord, and Srila Prabhupada's influence is still keenly felt; however, where the authorities did not follow mundane, material, ethical publishing standards, in the eyes of Academia, the edited books are a flim-flam job. Essentially, His Divine Grace's Scriptures have been literally edited out of the Academic Community!
This is unacceptable.
In an effort to bring this fact to the attention of the ISKCON authorities, Garuda Prabhu is hosting a conference of scholars to publish their thesis' on the pressing issue: posthumous editing of His Divine Grace's scriptures. A Go-Fund-Me has been established for this purpose, if you can donate to this cause, please do so.
Finally, I am submitting my offering to Srila Prabhupada for publication on the Sampradaya Sun. On His Divine Grace's Disappearance Day, my offering was interrupted and I was stopped by the temple president in Alachua from reading my offering because I was speaking about these changes.
All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!
Your servant,
Hladini Sakti devi dasi
========================
Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances! All Glories to your Divine Appearance, all Glories to your Divine Service and all Glories to your Divine Passing!
I offer my humble obeisances to my dear brother, Karuna Sindhu Das, by who's mercy I was introduced to your International Society for Krsna Conscienceness, by who's mercy your Divine Books made their way into my home, and by who's mercy I was introduced to my dear spiritual master.
I offer my humble obeisance to my ever well wisher and beloved spiritual master, His Grace Tamal Krsna Goswami, who so expertly engaged me in devotional service and who expertly plucked me out of the vast ocean of ignorance and misery.
I offer my humble obeisances to my good husband, Vaisnavananda Prabhu, by who's mercy I am immersed in Srila Prabhupada's wonderful scriptures and by who's association I am able to serve many senior and exalted devotees.
I offer my humble obeisances to all the devotees assembled here for the purpose of glorifying the most munificent benefactor of Bhakti, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada!
Srila Prabhupada, I offer my humble obeisances to your Divine Ecstacy, the Crown Jewel of Bhakti, the core lawbook of the three worlds for the next 10,000 years, your Divinely Flawless 1972 Bhagavad Gita As It Is.
About 22 years ago, I questioned the changes to your books and was told that the changes would make your books shine brighter in the Academic world, that now your books would be spotless.
Srila Prabhupada, please forgive me. For 22 years I slept walked under the illusion that your books had some flaws. For 22 years, I had forgotten that your books were already embraced by the Academic community. For 22 years, I had forgotten all the big, big endorsements from important professors hailing from important academic institutions. For 22 years, I forgot that your books were already being used in University class rooms across the country, all while you walked the planet.
Srila Prabhupada, I'm sorry I forgot.
Please forgive this forgetful, sleeping fool that sits before you today.
Please forgive me, Srila Prabhupada. You told us that you did not write these books. You told us that Krsna personally dictated these books to you. You told us you were Krsna's intimate cowherd friend. You told us Krsna had to bribe you to come to the material world. Why did you come to the material world? Why did Krsna have to bribe you?
To write these books.
Did I not believe Krsna whispered the Bhagavad Gita As It Is into your ear?
Srila Prabhupada, Please forgive this faithless fool sitting before you today.
Srila Prabhupada, even though I am well read, well educated, and proud of my academic achievements, still I fell under the spell of illusion and was misled. I have read 1,000 bookds in my life time. I know that when a book is edited, the Editors' names are printed on the book. I know that a well edited book has footnotes and other notations regarding the edits. I have read enough books to know that post humus editing is not practiced. I know the edited version of your books do not conform to mundane material ethical publishing standards. Yet I accepted the disengenuous excuse of improving your books for the academic community as if I was an uneducated village girl.
Please Srila Prabhupada, forgive this misled and ignorant fool that sits before you today.
Srila Prabhupada, spurred on by Divine intervention and on of your dear disciples, after 22 years, I studied the book changes side by side for more than 70 hours. I studied the carefully crafted book, Arsa Prayoga and learned the spiritual principals of respecting and honoring the Acharya's written words.
It is hard to describe the myriad emotions I experienced while studying your Divine Crown Jewel, the Bhagavad Gita As It Is side by side with the edited version. I experienced shock, alarm, indignation, disbelief, and irritation. Sometimes I would be stunned and become bewildered, and sometimes I would laugh out loud like a madman.
Please Srila Prabhupada, forgive this laughing mad fool that sits before you today.
While studying and comparing your Gita to the edited version, the main emotion I felt was a deep sorrow and loss for the beauty and potency of the '72 Gita. Yes, I experienced a myriad of emotions, but mostly I cried. I cried and cried; for nine days I cried.
Why did I cry? Becuase your glorious prose and excellent poetry had been butchered or stolen and hyjacked away.
Why did I cry? Because a secret sruti, a key that unlocks the heart to revealed scriptures has been lost with the edits
Why did I cry? Because of the all too numerous, un-necessary and frivolous changes substituing your beautiful words.
Why did I cry? Because now your books are tainted with Mayavadi Philosophy. The very philosophy you especially came to destroy.
Srila Prabhupada, Please forgive this crying fool that sits before you today.
Srila Prabhupada, As I sit here revealing my heart and mind in front of the assembly of Vaisnavas, I am trembling like a leaf. I am fearful because there is a terrible pressure applied to those speak out against the editing of your scriptures. Devotees who wish to discuss and debate these book changes are subject to banishment, threatened with sanctions, followed around, spied on and chastised. I have remained silent out of fear of censorship. I have remained silent out of fear of chastisement.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, please forgive this silent and cowardly fool who sits before you today.
Twice a year the devotees gather to glorify your super human deeds. Twice a year the devotees praise and glorify your astounding achievement of writing the Law Books for mankind that will stand for the next 10,000 years.
Yet all the devotees know your books have been changed. How can the written law books be changed?
Only by a higher court!
I work as an attorney and when the circuit court makes a mistake, it's appealed to the district court of appeal, from there it is appealed to the State Supreme Court, from there it is appealed to the Federal District Court and from there it is appealed to the highest court in the land, the United States Supreme Court.
Srila Prabhupada, by your mercy, this world has received the greatest fortune. You have gifted the world the top most, absolute highest knowledge for escaping the vicious cycle of birth and death.
Who is a higher authority than your Divine Grace? What higher authority can your written words be appealed to? What lunacy is this?
As for me, Srila Prabhupada, I consider you the highest authority of revealed scripture in all the three worlds. One of your many remarkable qualities is that you never misled us. When you say Lord Krsna dictated these books to you, I know that I can take that to the bank!
On this Auspicious Day of your Disappearance, I sit before you a begging fool, begging for a particle of dust from your Lotus Feet to land on my head. .
Your foolish granddaugther,
Hladini Sakti devi dasi, (TKG, 1984)
Thanks KBD, yes, why didn't more of the "original disciples" raise the alarm a long time ago about these same issues? Good question. There does not seem to be any good answer. As Sulochan said "most of them wimped out." Anyway, at least some more people are waking up to these issues, its a start. Some awareness is better than none. ys pd
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