courtesy Yasodananada Prabhu et al/ Joseph
If one bears a false witness on saying that the 10 volume SB is original
despite knowing the changes, he will be thrown into hell
But if we publish our Srimad Bhagavatam exactly in the way I have already begun it, it will be a unique contribution.[July 24,1969 - Letter to Pradyumna written from Los Angeles]
Hare Krsna. All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
This article aims to remove the misconceptions from the minds of those are still intentionally turning a blind eye to Srila Prabhupada's direct instructions regarding the book changes, especially with the matters dealing with Srimad Bhagavatam.
The attachment contains the list of Srimad Bhaagavatam changes exposed earlier.
Ramesvara Das explains Srila Prabhupada's statement over Srimad Bhagavatam changes
Proof showing no more changes in Srimad Bhagavatam after Mayapur 1976 meetings: (Changes in first four cantos were made after that without authorization from 1976-78)
And also at that Mayapur meeting of 1976 we had had meetings with Prabhupada about the Bhagavatam. We prepared for that Mayapur festival a color board which showed all the volumes of the Bhagavatam drawn in for each Canto what the color would be. And Srila Prabhupada approved the color scheme for the Srimad-Bhagavatam for all the reprints. But he warned us emphatically that this must be the very very last change that is ever to be made in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. [Page 173]
One must stop lying that the 10 volume set is the same as the original approved set. It is not original and the presence of 21000 changes in the first 4 cantos is explicitly highlighted in the previous emails.
Many devotees did not know the truth about the disastrous changes. But now that they know them, it is better to stick to the original 30 volume prints.
Let us completely analyze what changes devotees think might have been approved of, and what changes were actually made without the necessary approvals.
It is thus hoped that the devotees shall read this with open mindedness without any discrimination and immediately stop reading/distributing/preaching from/advertising the 10 volume set.
The previous emails showed how an approval for changing only the first 2 chapters of the first canto(Letter by Radhavallabha Prabhu on 31st Aug 1976 and a reply by Srila Prabhupada on 7th Sep 1976) was misunderstood for changing all 4 cantos with over 21000 differences that contain deletions of many lines,paragraphs and verses and reintroduction of grammatical errors at some places.
It has also been shown how 1.2.5 is not corrected fully. (In 2-3 lectures on the same verse, Srila Prabhupada has mentioned the meaning of Sadhu as pure.)
Let us clear some misconceptions that the 1976 supporters might be bewildered with.
At this stage, they may not be accused of lack of knowledge of actual changes that have been exposed because all this was not shown to the devotees for so many years. All these revisions were secretly published without notifying the devotees of the changes made thereof. But they must not ignore the real facts of what is being shown now. If they turn a blind eye to the truth and pretend to think that the unapproved is approved, it will lead them nowhere.
At this stage, they may not be accused of lack of knowledge of actual changes that have been exposed because all this was not shown to the devotees for so many years. All these revisions were secretly published without notifying the devotees of the changes made thereof. But they must not ignore the real facts of what is being shown now. If they turn a blind eye to the truth and pretend to think that the unapproved is approved, it will lead them nowhere.
Misconception 1: There is enough proof to show that Srila Prabhupada approved these changes.
Refutation: Their perception of "enough proof" is not fully clear. Repeating what we described earlier, till now it was thought that the Srimad Bhagavatam had some changes only in the first 2 chapters of the first canto(as per BBTedit.com claim). But this is not so as so many clippings of terrible changes had been documented in the previous emails. First "four cantos" were changed in the "pre-1978 second editions". For this approval, there is no such proof.
Misconception 2: The 10 Volume Set is "completely pre-1978"
Refutation: At first, it was thought by all that the first 4 cantos are second editions printed prior to 1978. But after checking the publication years for every volume, it was noticed that some volumes are printed after 1977. The proof for this is shown below. The second edition printing years after 1977 are set to bold.
There is another question that comes about the first canto of this 10 volume set being the 1976 edition. We know that the mistake in the verse 1.2.5 was emphasized by Srila Prabhupada in June 1977. They have just partially corrected this verse keep the meaning of Sadhu as "this is relevant" despite Srila Prabhupada mentioning the meaning of Sadhu meaning noble,pious,etc in the lectures given on this verse.
From the table below, the 3rd edition which supposedly contains that partial correction of 1.2.5 is said to be printed in 1978. How is it that the mistake that was brought up in 1977 corrected in 1976? Now some people may say that it was already corrected in 1976. To refute that, there is another proof to this. This so called BBTedit.com website in this link http://bbtedit.com/Bhagavatam_revisions_examined explains the revisions made by the editors in 1976 which excludes 1.2.5. They have also deceived the devotees by presenting the approval for revisions done in 1976 only for first 2 chapters of canto 1 as an approval for making 21000+ changes in first 4 cantos. Rest of the changes in 6 remaining 6 cantos will be dealt separately. The total number of changes in the entire Srimad Bhagavatam is something that will make anyone astonished.
From the table below, the 3rd edition which supposedly contains that partial correction of 1.2.5 is said to be printed in 1978. How is it that the mistake that was brought up in 1977 corrected in 1976? Now some people may say that it was already corrected in 1976. To refute that, there is another proof to this. This so called BBTedit.com website in this link http://bbtedit.com/Bhagavatam_revisions_examined explains the revisions made by the editors in 1976 which excludes 1.2.5. They have also deceived the devotees by presenting the approval for revisions done in 1976 only for first 2 chapters of canto 1 as an approval for making 21000+ changes in first 4 cantos. Rest of the changes in 6 remaining 6 cantos will be dealt separately. The total number of changes in the entire Srimad Bhagavatam is something that will make anyone astonished.
We ask those who are promoting this so called original set that why haven't they cross-checked these revisions in so many cantos before publishing these sets? Why do the 10 volumes in the new set have the same 21000+ changes?
| BBT Books | Edition | Year | |
| 1 | SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:1 | 1st | 1972 |
| 2 | 1:01 | 6th | 1976 |
| 3 | 1:01 | 8th | 1978 |
| 4 | 1:02 | 1st | 1972 |
| 5 | 1:02 | 4th | 1976 |
| 6 | 1:03 | 1st | 1972 |
| 7 | 1:03 | 3rd | 1976 |
| 8 | 1:03 | 3rd | 1976 |
| 9 | 1:03 | 4th | 1978 |
| 10 | 2:01 | 1st | 1972 |
| 11 | 2:01 | 7th | 1977 |
| 12 | 2:01 | 7th | 1977 |
| 13 | 2:01 | 8th | 1978 |
| 14 | 2:02 | 1st | 1972 |
| 15 | 2:02 | 3rd | 1976 |
| 16 | 3:01 | 1st | 1972 |
| 17 | 3:01 | 3rd | 1977 |
| 18 | 3:02 | 1st | 1974 |
| 19 | 3:02 | 2nd | 1977 |
| 20 | 3:02 | 2nd | 1977 |
| 21 | 3:03 | 1st | 1974 |
| 22 | 3:03 | 2nd | 1978 |
| 23 | 3:04 | 1st | 1974 |
| 24 | 3:04 | 2nd | 1978 |
| 25 | 4:01 | 1st | 1972 |
| 26 | 4:01 | 2nd | 1977 |
| 27 | 4:02 | 1st | 1974 |
| 28 | 4:02 | 2nd | 1978 |
| 29 | 4:03 | 2nd | 1978 |
| 30 | 4:03 | 1st | 1974 |
| 31 | 4:03 | 2nd | 1978 |
| 32 | 4:04 | 1st | 1974 |
| 33 | 4:04 | 2nd | 1978 |
The letter below was written on 24th June 1977 after the "Rascal editors" conversation and it was approved by Srila Prabhupada.
The translation of "Sadhu" which means "remain pure" was approved by him as the entire letter was read in front of him.
--------------------------------------
MUNAYAH…O sages SADHU… this is relevant
Prabhupada: “Sadhu prsto ‘ham” “repeat this”
TKG: “Sadhu. This is relevant”
Prabhupada: “Relevant”…
TKG: “It’s translated.”
Prabhupada: “This is nonsense. Who has done this? “Sadhu” means “remain pure”. What can be done?” (Later Prabhupada said they have subtracted the word “just”)
Prabhupada: “Sadhu prsto ‘ham” “repeat this”
TKG: “Sadhu. This is relevant”
Prabhupada: “Relevant”…
TKG: “It’s translated.”
Prabhupada: “This is nonsense. Who has done this? “Sadhu” means “remain pure”. What can be done?” (Later Prabhupada said they have subtracted the word “just”)
[...............]
As per His Divine Grace’s order to write to Your Holiness regarding this serious matter it is evident that He wants the few following points:
1. He does not want any change in His books.
2. Whatever has been printed up to now has to be revised and mistakes should be corrected. (Prabhupada was especially referring to the many changes occurring in the reprints of the first canto.)
3. Further printing to be done “in the original way”.
4. A revision committee consisting of Bhakti Prema Maharaja, Your good self and Jayadvaita Prabhu to check all the books and see any Sanskrit or English mistakes.
Yasodanandan Swami
1. He does not want any change in His books.
2. Whatever has been printed up to now has to be revised and mistakes should be corrected. (Prabhupada was especially referring to the many changes occurring in the reprints of the first canto.)
3. Further printing to be done “in the original way”.
4. A revision committee consisting of Bhakti Prema Maharaja, Your good self and Jayadvaita Prabhu to check all the books and see any Sanskrit or English mistakes.
Yasodanandan Swami
[.....................]
PS – This was read before His Divine Grace on 24.6.77 at 7:30 AM. approved by him
Misconception 3: All front covers can be removed and we can print the 10 cantos as 10 volumes because Srila Prabhupada made a similar statement in 1968
Yes it is true that Srila Prabhupada made such a statement but that was before the printing of Srimad Bhagavatam was started. The front covers for all cantos were yet to be designed as well.
After that, all that we find are statements where he wishes to finish his Srimad Bhagavatam translation in a massive 60 volume set. By 1977, 30 volumes of work was finished which should be accepted as it is without any arguments.
My special mission is to complete the Srimad-Bhagavatam in 60 volumes, so the most important thing on the part of the International Society is to organize the sales propaganda, of all the books that you are publishing.
[Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 20 February, 1968]
Ramesvara Dasa's own statement about Srila Prabhupada mentioning changing not even size, shape of pages. Link to this 300 page interview is already given above.
Before we talk about Prabhupada 's travels in ' 76 I want to mention another important theme which was Prabhupada actually instructing about the production on his books . I ' ve already mentioned the conversation that took place in ' 74 about the art paintings . I think that you should get a copy of the letter that I wrote to the art department because practically word for word Prabhupada 's instructions were there and you can get a first hand understanding of how intense Prabhupada was and how concerned he was that in the future no one ever be allowed to make changes in his books . This was more than just a preoccupation with Prabhupada . This was a, you could call this a transcendental phobia , that the entire movement would without any shadow of a doubt be completely wasted and all the work and effort of all the devotees that Prabhupada was directly as well as his own efforts would all be ultimately lost if his books were changed . That was his attitude . He expressed that attitude very clearly in 1974 in that conversation and in that letter you'll see the statements Prabhupada made about how everything will be ruined if his books are changed . Then prior to that I mentioned the incident about the Isopanisad cover where Prabhupada was revealing how much thought went into planning out his books when he was involved . He got very furious when we wanted to put Krsna on the cover instead of Visnu . In 1975 , I think I also mentioned this , that we had a very big problem with the printing of the hardbound Krsna Books . We wanted to change it from two volumes to three volumes . And there was literally like a fight . Not even a fight , Prabhupada was just furious . And he went on for about 1 hour talking about the Krsna Book and how he had planned it out to be in two volumes . And it became very clear to me that Prabhupada was training me to understand that these books are transcendental manifestations of Prabhupada's devotion , Prabhupada 's realization of God which I consider to be perfect absolute God realization coming from Krsna Himself . And that no one is allowed to change anything . The size , the shape , the number of pages , everything . Actually Prabhupada did make the decisions .[Pages 177-178]
Conclusion:
The best route for all of us to now approach is going the original way, that is the first edition prints. It is approved by Srila Prabhupada, of this there is no doubt. We all must accept unhesitatingly that the approved first editions will only take us back to Krsna.
The definition of "Original way" is still unclear to a lot of devotees. If everyone starts making their own definition of original way and printing in whatever they like, then all the purity will be lost.
Srila Prabhupada's books are not playthings where one can do anything with them by cutting something and taking something else in a whimsical manner.
For example, there is also a pocket edition of the Macmillan edition being distributed. It has all the Sanskrit and the word meanings cut out. Just because few people do not like to read the Sanskrit meaning or it is more cheaper to print, is it advisable to cut everything in a distorted fashion without any consultation?
I am expecting this printing of our literature, especially Srimad Bhagavatam, with devanagari type and diacritic transliteration will be completely entrusted to you. So you cannot type everything from the IBM. That is not possible. In the IBM machine you shall do the English work and the diacritic transliteration work. So far as the devanagari type is concerned, you have to do it with the help of another machine, and either you will have to paste on the lines or adopt some other device so that they can be joined. That shall be the process. But if we publish our Srimad Bhagavatam exactly in the way I have already begun it, it will be a unique contribution. The scholars only require diacritic marks. Then it is all right. That should be very correct and standard. If there is devanagari character it is still better.
[July 24,1969 - Letter to Pradyumna written from Los Angeles]
Here we see that Srila Prabhupada emphasizes on being able to read books both in English and Sanskrit.
This is the perfection of education. Gurukula education should be trained up for their character. I have already mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Simply they should be able to read our books in english and sanskrit, and explain. That is compulsory.
[June 24,1976 - Letter to Gopala Krishna written from New Vrindaban, USA]
Sanskrit should be compulsory for all our children to learn, and anyone who has elementary knowledge of alphabet and grammar can begin to teach it.
[July 24,1969 - Letter to Pradyumna written from Los Angeles]
Here we see that Srila Prabhupada emphasizes on being able to read books both in English and Sanskrit.
[June 24,1976 - Letter to Gopala Krishna written from New Vrindaban, USA]
[February 28,1972 - Letter to Satsvarupa written from Mayapur]
If we accuse the BBTI for changing books but we ourselves do not print it in the exact same way as it was done in Srila Prabhupada's presence, then what is the difference between us and them?
The BBTI editors have been accused for cutting off the Guru Parampara pictures in their latest Bhagavad Gita. If we also willfully neglect the original printing and cut off the Sanskrit in the same manner, the accusation falls on our community too.
Let us therefore stick to the Original way. Hare Krishna.
Morning Walk -- March 22, 1976, Mayapura:Pañcadraviḍa: Can you repeat why you said you have been successful where others have not?Śrila Prabhupāda: Because I stick to Kṛṣṇa's word. I, therefore, present Bhagavad-gītā as it is. We do not make any amendment nor accept any amendment. And, therefore, we decry everything—Gandhi, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Aurobindo, this, that—all rascals. Because they tried to amend it. That is admitted by the science professor. They have all tried to make it modernized, but I have not done. Here is the spiritual master in the disciplic succession, so we remain indebted to him to understand the original traditional knowledge.
Link to buy Srimad Bhagavatam 30 volume set:
- 2021 07 30 Srimad Bhagavatam changes.pdf1.7MB
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