Unfortunately, the photos of the covers of the originals vs changed did not copy over to here. We will work on that later by screen shot method and gradually post here in future. First of all, we need to understand that when Srila Prabhupada is complaining about rascal editors, they had already edited some of his books -- while he was still here.
And he does not approve.
So when people say all the pre-1978 books are originals, they are not. It means they have mis-understood why Srila Prabhupada says -- go back to the originals, meaning the books he had originally approved of earlier. Anyway, no doubt there is a lot of confusion on the "book changes issue," and we hope that a comprehensive site will eventually be published to show what is what here. And one is in the works, which is good news.
More unfortunately, a number of my God brothers are advocating for changed books, because they evidently approve of the work of these rascal editors. And they are doing that knowing that these editors are being called rascals.
Anyway, it is going to take a lot of time and work to unravel all the misconceptions floated especially since 1977 in and around ISKCON. A lot of our God brothers did not even understand that sexual predators and pedophiles are not Krishna's guru successors, never mind the thousands of more subtle changes in the books.
They often could not even understand the very gross changes topics (i.e. illicit sex messiahs are bogus) never mind the more subtle changed books. In sum! More unfortunately, a lot of the God brothers -- who supported the books changes -- also supported the molester messiah's project.
I think the rascal editors conversation is very clear, they are making changes while he is here, go back to the pre-authorized editions. I am not sure why that is not clear to others?
I also noted that some people have resorted to calling Yasodanandana ill names to win their argument. Aren't these the same type of people who called me ill names when I said -- the ISKCON children are being molested? Sorry! Name calling does not fix the child molesting or book molesting issue. You guys need to come up with something better.
ys pd]
angel108b@yahoo.com
Summary of issues with Jitaratis’ red 10 volume Srimad-Bhagavatamcompiled by yasoda nandana dasa
1. The 10 volume set edition is not an original first edition publication. It has over 21,000 changes from the first original editions especially in the first four cantos of Srimad Bhgavatam. These changes are going to be documented in an upcoming web site.
2. Srila Prabhupada -- when he heard (as he did in the Rascal Editors conversation) on June 22. 1977 -- that his books were being revised in his manifested presence, he was not pleased and wanted all of these changes stopped and reversed. In sum, he did not approve of these new editions, which had been revised without his permission or authority.
3 . Then he clearly stated that “the next printing again should be the original way."
4. Further, in the same conversation Srila Prabhupada stated “they cannot change anything,”
Thus implies that the editors, publishers, GBCs, BBT trustees et al. cannot and should not change anything. Yet they already had. And so -- they should revert back any of the unauthorized changes they had just made -- and yes these changes were made during Srila Prabhupada’s presence -- and he ordered to take the next printing back to the original editions.
Minor mistakes for example in sanskrit word translations can be corrected, he approved of that.
5. These mandates by Srila Prabhupada imply that he rescinded his alleged approval of the corrections made by the editors in September of 1976.
6. "Original way" means -- first editions with appropriate future indexes, glossaries, lists of verses, sanskrit word definition charts.
7. Srila Prabhupāda’s instructions in June of 1977 superseded any previous instructions given in 1976.
"WE MUST READ WHAT SRILA PRABHUPADA READS. ABOVE IMAGE SHOWS SRILA PRABHUPADA READING THE 1972 SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM FIRST CANTO. NO MORE ARGUMENTS AFTER SEEING THE SPIRITUAL MASTER HIMSELF TAKING PLEASURE IN READING THE FIRST EDITIONS"
Hare Krishna. All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Please find an attachment of the PDF version of the recent article written on exposure of lies and personal attacks done by those who are currently supporting the 10 volume "non-original" SB.
Some more articles exposing changes:
1. Exposing the offensive changes in the so-called original Srimad Bhagavatam: The Red “not-original” Srimad Bhagavatam has so many pages,lines and verses cut off from the second and fourth cantos
https://krishnaconsciousnessmovement.com/detecting.html
This 10 Volume set cannot be called the original set as it has the same changes that are found in the links below (it is not the 1972 print). Also Srila Prabhupada had never instructed to take out the front covers of the books and merge them as 10 cantos.
Google drive with Srila Prabhupada’s first edition unrevised, non adulterated, original books. Another folder for Srimad Bhagavatam 1972 on-wards first edition original books:
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Regarding Sri Isopanisad changes:
Yaśodā-nandana: In the Gurukula we were teaching Īśopaniṣad class to the children. So we took... [break] ...Prabhupāda and the words which the recent edition of the Press is wrong. Many changes were brought. They were trying to make better English, but sometimes, to make better English, I think they were making philosophical mistakes also. There is no so much need of making so much better English. Your English is sufficient. It is very clear, very simple. We have caught over 125 changes. They're changing so many things. We are wondering if this is necessary. I will show you today. I have kept the book.
Prabhupāda: I know that these rascals are doing. What can be done? How they can be relied on?
[Rascal editors conversation ,June 22,1977, Vrindavan]
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Regarding Easy Journey to Other Planets changes:
Prabhupāda: He cannot see mistake. He is mistake. (laughter) He should . . . that is being done by this rascal. I don't want. And the Hayagrīva has . . . the Easy Journey, he has changed so many things. That . . . he is now bad character. You should not maintain him.
[Conversation A MAYAPUR - February 27, 1977]
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Regarding Srimad Bhagavatam changes:
“Yes, there is no need for corrections for the first and second Cantos. Whatever is there is alright. Once Pradyumna comes to join me here from India, then there will be no need for Nitai das or Jagannatha das to edit the Srimad-Bhagavatam.“
(Letter to Radhavallabha, May 4, 1976)
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Important proof that the Macmillan 1972 Bhagavad Gita is the only original and authorised edition.
"Dr. Vajpeye’s review we are going to print and widely distribute, especially in Bombay and Madras, where there is so much propaganda from these bogus gurus and yogis. He has got practical experience of how they are cheating the innocent people in foreign countries and he has written; “The authorized edition of Bhagavad-gita will help to stop the terrible cheating of ‘gurus’ and ‘yogis’ who are false and unauthorized.”
[Letter to: Svarupa, Ranadhira, Mayapur-3 February, 1976 Los Angeles]
"Note: Although on the whole one must get the first printings, there are the following few exceptions which were not first printings but were printed in the physical presence of Srila Prabhupada and were definitely not changed. They are:
Teachings of Lord Caitanya (1972)
Nectar of Devotion (1972)
Sri Isopanisad (1972)
Krsna Book (1974) "(Reference for the above quote:
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/books/dspobfco.html)
It is hoped that this article will help the devotees to only read Srila Prabhupada's first edition books that are unchanged.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SRILA PRABHUPADA'S FIRST EDITION ORIGINAL BOOKS?
Hare Krishna. The following difference chart will help all devotees to identify Srila Prabhupada’s pre-1978 first edition original books against the unauthorized edited versions. Please note that “pre-1978 first editions” are the ones authorized by Srila Prabhupda. There were attempts to change his books even in his physical presence, for example, the first 4 cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam were edited for the second time during 1976 without the authorisation from Srila Prabhupada.
What books were changed in his presence? How many were approved?
1. Teachings of Lord Caitanya (1974)
2. Isopanisad (1974)
3. Srimad Bhagavatam (1976-78 -- first 4 cantos)
4. Easy Journey To Other Planets (1977)
The first 3 are heavily changed, only in the Easy Journey the insertion of the moon landing paragraph is done properly in 1977 according to Srila Prabhupada's orders.
Regarding Sri Isopanisad changes: (Srila Prabhupada disapproves the changes)
Yaśodā-nandana: In the Gurukula we were teaching Īśopaniṣad class to the children. So we took… [break] …Prabhupāda and the words which the recent edition of the Press is wrong. Many changes were brought. They were trying to make better English, but sometimes, to make better English, I think they were making philosophical mistakes also. There is no so much need of making so much better English. Your English is sufficient. It is very clear, very simple. We have caught over 125 changes. They’re changing so many things. We are wondering if this is necessary. I will show you today. I have kept the book.
Srila Prabhupāda: I know that these rascals are doing. What can be done? How they can be relied on?
[........]
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.
[Rascal editors conversation, June 22,1977, Vrindavan]
The left hand side of this table contains all the first edition original books.
We must always remember that "Original Books" does not just mean the original content in those books, but it also means original front covers, original paintings inside these books that were completely approved by Srila Prabhupada.
You have done a great mistake by changing the front picture and it will hamper the sale. In future you don’t do any changes without asking me first.Simply because there is no stock of books, we can do anything whimsically??? Is this logic? (Letter: Bhargava, May 29, 1976)
(This so-called original 10 volume set of Srimad Bhagavatam has removed all front pictures. How can this printing be according to the "original way"? Are we authorized to print according to our whimsical definitions of "original ways"?)
Note 1 : In the 2nd column(revised edition column), we have included as many changed books as possible for every original book. In any case if a book is seen which has another cover photo than the original book, it should be noted that the book having a different cover than the original book is a revised edition. Hence, the devotees are requested to read only those books which fall under the “First edition pre-1978” category.
Note 2: Many devotees are purchasing the 10 volume set of Srimad Bhagavatam, which is claimed to be an “Original Set”. It consists of 10 Cantos and Krsna book(1970 Edition). While the Krsna Book is the original 1970 edition, it should be noted that the first 4 cantos of the 10 volume set were revised for the second time during 1976 in Srila Prabhupada’s presence. It is advisable to purchase the first edition sets (30 volume sets). To see the changes in Srimad Bhagavatam, please click the following link:
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/books/dspobfco.html
The so-called 'Original 10 Volume Srimad Bhagavatam' does not contain many of the 1972 onward original prints, therefore the devotees are advised to purchase the 30 volume original set.
This 10 volume set is NOT under the authorization of Srila Prabhupada. Firstly, this set has removed all the front covers and inside plates are also changed. Secondly, it contains a lot of changes not discussed with Srila Prabhupada. DId Srila Prabhupada ever ask to print his books as per one's mental speculations?
Let us read what Srila Prabhupada said regarding these changes:
“Yes, there is no need for corrections for the first and second Cantos. Whatever is there is alright. Once Pradyumna comes to join me here from India, then there will be no need for Nitai das or Jagannatha das to edit the Srimad-Bhagavatam. “(Letter to Radhavallabha, May 4, 1976)
Hence, the devotees are advised to read the first editions printed from 1972 for the first four cantos.
Note 3: Regarding the book “Easy Journey To Other Planets”, it is advisable to read the first edition that was published in 1960, or the first edition approved by Srila Prabhupada published by the ISKCON Press(1970 print). The 1977 edition can also be read as it only has an insertion of the required moon landing paragraph with no other changes. Post-1977 changed editions have to be investigated.
“Regarding Easy Journey. I may inform you that whatever is written there is authoritative. The information contained in EJ is contained in various Vedic literatures. In Bhagavad-gita as well as in SrimadBhagavatam it is clearly indicated that beyond this visible space there is another spiritual space which is eternally existant. Modern astronomers & scientists have no information of the extent of this visible space. And what can they speak of what is beyond this visible space? Therefore our movement is novel. God is living, He has got a particular place & anyone who is God conscious can approach it in this very life. One of our students, Brahmananda, appreciated very much this discovery. He wrote to me a letter that my delivery of this information has given them life—that God is not only alive, but that we can go & live with Him. So what is applicable to Brahmananda is applicable to all sincere souls & we have to present this to the whole world very nicely.” [Letter to Janardana -- Delhi 30 September, 1967]
This shows that his 1960 edition is authoritative.
"Prabhupāda: He cannot see mistake. He is mistake. (laughter) He should . . . that is being done by this rascal. I don't want. And the Hayagrīva has . . . the Easy Journey, he has changed so many things. That . . . he is now bad character. You should not maintain him."
[Conversation A ,MAYAPUR - February 27, 1977]
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Srila Prabhupāda speaks on his original books and unauthorized book changes.
1. The reviews have very much encouraged me. Especially those of Prof. Bhatt and Prof. Vajpeye. I have personally written a letter of thanks to Dr. Bhatt, that he has so much encouraged me. Dr. Vajpeye's review we are going to print and widely distribute, especially in Bombay and Madras, where there is so much propaganda from these bogus gurus and yogis . He has got practical experience of how they are cheating the innocent people in foreign countries and he has written; "The authorized edition of Bhagavad-gita will help to stop the terrible cheating of 'gurus' and 'yogis' who are false and unauthorized.'' I hope this meets you well.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
(Letter to: Svarupa, Ranadhira ,Mayapur-3 February, 1976)
2. "That is his tendency, to correct. That's very bad. He should not do that. The system is: whatever authority has done, even there is mistake, it should be accepted."
(Room Conversation -- February 27, 1977, Mayapura)
3. Srila Prabhupāda: So this is the position. The whole Vṛndāvana is full of Māyāvādīs. We have to be very, very cautious and careful. I was there. That Brahmānanda protested against that Aurobindo. And then “Don’t speak of Gītā.”
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, that’s what they told him.
Jayādvaita: They shouldn’t speak of Gītā. They should speak of whatever other thing they want.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Then why call it Gītā-pratiṣṭhāna?
Jayādvaita: That’s Prabhupāda’s promise. He’s establishing Bhagavad-gītā.
Srila Prabhupāda: Eh?
Jayādvaita: The actual establishment of Bhagavad-gītā is being done by Your Divine Grace. They should admit that, “We have our philosophy, but as far as Bhagavad-gītā goes, Śrīla Prabhupāda is establishing it all over the world. We have something else, our own idea.” They can say that.
Srila Prabhupāda: Now find out the way how to stop this class of men speaking in our halls.
[Room Conversation 1-VRNDAVAN – November 03, 1977 ]
This shows that the Bhagavad Gita as it is 1972 edition was and is already potent enough and its establishment is already done, so there is no need for its editing.
This is a solid proof that shows the editors themselves knew that 72 edition was the only bona fide original established edition.
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4.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.
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Prabhupada: The rascal editors, they are doing havoc.
Yasoda-nandana: Sometimes they appeal that "We can make better English," so they change like that, just like in the case of Isopanisad. 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.
Svarupa Damodara: That's actually a very dangerous mentality.
Yasoda-nandana: What is it going to be in five years? It's going to be a different book.
Prabhupada: 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 Satsvarupa that "This is the position. They are doing anything and everything at their whim." The next printing should be again to the original way.
Tamala Krsna: They should have a board of Satsvarupa and Jayadvaita.
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Those two men are both in Los Angeles now.
Prabhupada: So write them immediately that . "The rascal editors, they are doing havoc, and they are being maintained by Ramesvara and party."
(S.P.Conversation, "Rascal Editors,"June 22, 1977, Vrndavana)
5. “Therefore, we are presenting Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. No change. Others they are interpreting in their own way. That is not Bhagavad-Gita. That is something else.”
(Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, Paris, France, August 5, 1976)
6. Prabhupāda: You can show Bhagavad-gītā. ...
Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: A very authoritative presentation. For example, here's the original Sanskrit śloka, word for word
Guest (3): For example, sāṅkhya-yoga. You have a separate book? Then sthita-prajñā. You have a separate...?
Prabhupāda: No separately. It is there in the Bhagavad-gītā.
Guest (3): But that way, your volumes are dealing with each chapter of Gītā?
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Each śloka. Each chapter.
Guest (2): No, no. Not inside the book. Different volumes. Like eighteen chapters, but eighteen volumes.
Prabhupāda: No, no.
Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: No. It's in one book. Twelve hundred pages
Guest (3): And the interpretation is by you yourself?
Prabhupāda: Yes. Not interpretation. I am explaining as it is. You can read one.
Guest (3): Have you tried to compare with Gītā written by Gyaneshvara, or by Vinoba Bhave or by somebody else?
Prabhupāda: According to Bhagavad-gītā, if you don't follow the instruction of Bhagavad-gītā, you may be very learned scholar, whatever you write, it is lost. We follow that principle. As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ (BG 4.2 ). Find out this Fourth Chapter.
Guest (2): Have these books been reviewed in foreign papers?
Prabhupāda: It is very widely read.
Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: For example, in the Fourth Chapter Lord Kṛṣṇa says, evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa (BG 4.2 )
Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa says that this Bhagavad-gītā has to be received by the disciplic succession. And sa kālena yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa. Because that disciplic succession is now broken, that yoga system is now lost. So all these interpreters, they are interpreting in their own way. Therefore it is lost. So there is no use of consulting this lost version .
Guest (3): So you just give it as it is.
Prabhupāda: That is... Therefore my Bhagavad-gītā is named Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. No interpretation.
Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Each word is the original Sanskrit śloka, English transliteration, word by word meaning, so there's no room for manipulation. There's a translation and purport. Every book that Śrīla Prabhupāda has written has the same format and each book is illustrated.
(Room conversation, December 29,1976, Bombay)
7. "I don’t think that Hayagriva is at fault. He has not changed the meaning or the philosophy in any way. But if you like to use the original manuscript, then if it is possible, you can use it." (Letter to Hamsaduta, Jun 8, 1975)
8." He should not think his authority mistake. He's such irresponsible man. He should not be given any responsible work. Our first business should see how he is advanced in devotion. scholars. " (Room Conversation -- February 27, 1977, Mayapura)
9. "No, the printing of the Gitar-gan cover this fashion is not at all approved by me. You have done most nonsensically. Why change the cover? When people look to see the Bhagavad-gita they expect to see Krishna and Arjuna, not the picture of Krishna with cow. You have done a great mistake by changing the front picture and it will hamper the sale. In future you don’t do any changes without asking me first.Simply because there is no stock of books, we can do anything whimsically??? Is this logic? Gita is not spoken in Vrindaban, it is spoken on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, but this is Vrindaban picture. That chariot driven by 4 horses, that is the real Kuruksetra picture. It is not that because there is no stock we can do whimsically as we like and lose the idea, that is rasa-bhasa. Because there is no bread, you take stone to eat? There is no stock of bread so you will take stone??? The front picture is most important thing and you have changed it. It must remain standard, and not change. Also, the lettering is not nice on the cover. You could have taken a color picture of Krishna and Arjuna and used it black and white (one color) on the front cover. Just as you did with the inside back cover of the Bhagavat darsana, the original picture of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was in color but you have printed it in black and white. You could have done this on the front cover with Krishna and Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, but the cover must not be changed.
(Letter: Bhargava, May 29, 1976)
10. You may title this book, Teachings of Lord Kapila, but it must be subtitled, “The Son of Devahuti”. That will remain, do not try to change it . The Americans may like it or not like it, but we must make the distinction between devahuti putra kapila, and the atheistic Kapila . Do not try to change anything without my permission."
(Letter to Radhavallabha, Aug 26, 1976)
11. “There is a verse in Srimad-Bhagavatam that a book or poetry in which the Holy Name of Krishna is depicted, such language is revolutionary in the matter of purifying the material atmosphere. Even though such literature is presented in broken language or grammatical inconsistency or rhetorical irregularity , still, those who are saintly persons adore such literature. They hear such literature, and chant it and adore it, simply because the Supreme Lord is being glorified in this literature. In other words, we are not meant for presenting any literary masterpieces , but we have to inform people that there is a fire of maya which is burning the very vitality of all living entities, and they should guard against the indefatigable onslaught of material existence. That should be our motto."
(Letter to: Krsna dasa – Los Angeles 13 Feb, 1969)
12. " Our literature is not sentimental stories. It is meant to be understood by the intelligent class of men. Children and those with child-like mentalities will do better to chant "Hare Krishna" and take prasadam. We cannot water down the philosophy to make it more palatable. Our books must remain as they are. Do not waste your time anymore with such attempts. We are not going to publish it. Whatever books we have got, let them try to understand, and if they cannot then let them chant "Hare Krishna" and take prasadam. Hoping this finds you and your husband well."(Letter to Lilavati -- Bombay 31 March, 1977)
