Sat, Apr 2, 2011, Italy – In the first essay titled Religious Integration of ISKCON by Academia, I was addressing the dangerous and treacherous subtle influence of ‘toning down’ (in other words-watering down) pure teachings of our Acharya (Gaudia Vaisnavism) with already imbedded, academically contrived religious pluralism by academia, in the name of uplifting ISKCON to pseudo ‘Raganuga sadhana platform’, that would allegedly ensure our acceptance and survival in the world of today.
In the second part, I was addressing (already imbedded) unauthorized academically contrived secular educational system in ISKCON, which replaced the gurukula system that was established by Srila Prabhupada, and the subsequent creation of the CPO by the individuals who were the actual child abusers in order to protect themselves.
In the third part I would like to address the illegitimate formation of BBT INTERNATIONAL (BBTi) that took over the publishing rights and finance as well as including members whose purpose is to incrementally change books that were written by Srila Prabhupada and previous Acharya’s, in order to amend the Absolute Truth to their ‘politically correct’ preferred religious homogenization / integration of ISKCON, via Academically contrived consortium called Interfaith.
The purpose for the creation of illegal BBTi is as follow. In order to legally shield themselves from these unauthorized changes they devised a nefarious plan wherein Srila Prabhupada is legally termed as simply a mere hired author by the BBTi, consequently giving all the book rights that were written by Him to the individuals (Trust) who “hired” this simple author (Srila Prabhupada), hence giving them carte-blanche to do with them as they please.
This scam is based on the same system that the GBC lucratively implemented (after Srila Prabhupada`s departure) when they incorporated the unauthorized ISKCON of West Bengal Corporation, which has its own charter, Laws, and BY-Laws that are diametrically opposed to the charter of the original incorporation of ISKCON by Srila Prabhupda in the USA.
By incorporating this dummy “ISKCON of West Bengal Corporation”, they were able to legalize their hijacking of Srila Prabhupada original ISKCON.
Similarly, by formation of unauthorized BBTi they ensured that they have total control over Srila Prabhupada`s books and they obtained complete legal protection for these atrocious systematic book changes.
For the purpose of history it has to be noted that “alcoholic / smoker / womanizer” Gopal Batta dasa is playing a key role in the formation of this unauthorized corporation called BBTi. He holds the position as Chairman of this fraudulent BBTi (despite his inability to follow the four regulative principles), and he is one of the strongest supporters of the systematic homogenization of Srila Prabhupada`s books via avaricious hands of Jayadvaita swami.
We were all exposed to stealthy / incrementally, superfluous (unaccountable) book changes by BBTi, in particular Jayadvaita Swami and his friend Dravida dasa on the pretext that the books are being edited in the intent to satisfy the needs of Academia.
Only in the Bhagavat-Gita alone there were more than five thousand changes up to this day. That means that nearly every verse in the Bhagavat-Gita has been in some way changed / altered by imbedding subtle undertones in the actual meanings of these verses and/or purports.
Recently, I came into a possession of the DVD that was created by the BBTi in the attempt to publicly rationalize / sanitize these unauthorized changes. In the interview, among others, one of the trustees of the BBT puts forward rationale to these unnecessary changes; he posits that the purpose for these changes is the need to conciliate the world of Academia in order to facilitate the so called acceptance of these books within the academic circles.
When the BBTi’s “Pleasing Academia rationale” for the book changes did not achieve the desired bamboozlement of the rank and file devotees, by quieting them down, they devised the latest “rationalizing scam” of claims that they are changing the books back to the real original state.
Jayadvaita swami went as far as recreating an elaborate time table scheme in attempt to bewilder devotees with his false claim that Hayagriva prabhu never worked under the supervision and approval of Srila Prabhupada on the original edition of Bhagavat-Gita. His “imaginary chronological” article titled – “Book Changes: History Backs the BBT” was briefly posted on the Sampradaya sun.
However, this deceptive article backfired on Jayadvaita Swami, when his article was completely and chronologically refuted by Madhudvisa prabhu in article titled Jayadvaita’s Smoke and Mirrors which was a response to what appears to be a planned, conscious and intentional lie on the side of Jayadvaita swami.
Comically, after Jayadvaita swami`s lie was publicly exposed on Sampradaya Sun by Madhudvisa prabhu, Jayadvaita swami successfully petitioned Sampradaya Sun editors to remove his deceptive article, in the attempt to minimize his exposed embarrassment.
Furthermore, in order to understand and analyze the actual character of this devotees in question, it is imperative to bring out to the attention of the community of Vaisnavas, that Srila Prabhupada`s books are not the only one that are being mutilated. The books from the previous Acharyas (six Goswamis etc.) are not exempt from the itchy hands of BBTi.
Dark origins and history goes back into the early 90s when BBT requested Vrindavana resident, an Indian scholarly ISKCON devotee by the name of Satyanarayana prabhu, and Gopiparanadhana prabhu to work on the translation of the Sandharbas that were written in Sanskrit by Goswamis, with the intent that BBT would print the English translation.
Satyanarayana prabhu and Gopiparanadana prabhu went ahead and started with the translations of the important works by the Goswamis for the benefit of an English speaking world. After they successfully translated Sat Sandharba by Srila Jiva Goswami, it became apparent that Srila Jiva Goswami`s explanation in regards to the origins of the soul (Jiva Tattva-jiva’s fall from the spiritual world) differed from the understanding of some ISKCON`s leading Academic devotees.
When this anomaly was brought forth to the attention of the BBT (Jayadvaita swami and others) and ISKCON leading Academic devotees such as Hridhayananda goswami, they made a seriously compromised decision. They instructed Satyanarayana prabhu and Gopiparanadhana prabhu to remove (in their eyes) questionable explanation on Jiva Tattva.
Satyanarayan prabu was shocked at their request and he expressed his unwillingness to change Srila Jiva Goswami’s work. He explained that the works of the previous Acharya’s are sacred and is inappropriate and highly offensive for anybody to change and alter their words. He insisted that the books should be presented and translated as they are. The BBT powers that be gave Satyanarayana prabu an ultimatum; you do as you are told or leave ISKCON. As a real brahmana he really did not have any choice but to leave, since the other option was that he has to dirty his hands in order to stay.
Once out of ISKCON he published the translated Sandharbas as they are, for the benefit of an English speaking Vaisnava community.
On the other hand Gopiparnadhana prabhu kowtowed to the pressure by the BBT, since he was financially dependent and maintained by them. When the time came he did exactly what he was told.
At that time Jayadvaita Swami stated that “The Previous Acharya`s will say what we want them to say” Years after, Jayadvaita swami came to (dis)honor and live up to his above mention words.
We are all familiar when BBT (Gopiparanadhana prabhu) translated and published the book from Srila Sanatana Goswami titled Brihad Bhagavatamrita.
The important point that the rank and file devotees are totally unaware of is that the BBT just as they demanded to remove (Jiva Tattva) section of Sat Sandharba a decade earlier, again intentionally decided to omit a particular “in their eyes sensitive and controversial” section of the book, wherein Srila Sanatana Goswami is explaining the fall of the spirit soul (jiva).
The reason for this serious transgression of removal (in the name of responsible editing) of Srila Sanatana`s Goswami`s words form his own book is simple. His explanation of the fall of jiva (tattva) also went against the official GBC resolution on this particular philosophical conclusion.
Unfortunately, humble, brahamana vaishnava Gopiparanadhana prabhu being maintained by the BBTi, (just as Mahajana Bhisma due to accepting maintenance by Duryodhana), become implicated in this offence to Sanatana Goswami.
Powers that be become pleased by Gopiparanadhana`s prabhu loyalty to the institution and his choice of dirtying his hands and rewarded Gopiparanadhana prabhu with the rubberstamped approval by fraudulent ISKCON to become a full fledged initiating spiritual master within the institution as well as BBTI chief drunkard / smoker Gopal Bhatta even funds Gopiparanadhana’s Sanskrit School located at Govardhana.
Similarly, BBT also tried to meddle in to the publication of Srila Bhaktivinoda`s Jaiva Dharma. Again just as in the above two incidences, when Jaiva Dharama was translated by Sarvabhauma prabhu and edited by Keshidhamana prabhu, BBT did not wanted to publish the book after it came to their attention that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur`s explanation on Jiva-fall from the spiritual world- Tattva also differs from the official GBC resolution. They were working on the removal of the controversial Jiva Tattva section.
Luckily the original editor of Jaiva Dharma Keshidhamana prabhu decided to proceed with the printing of original book as it is, by himself. Despite the threats from the BBTi he was successful in printing the original book. We can safely assume that Keshidhamana prabhu will never have any opportunity to do the service for the BBTi ever again. However we do offer him our warm and heartfelt gratitude for standing up to them and providing us with Jaiva dharma AS IT IS.
BBTi`s dark history clearly characterizes that Jayadvaita swami and his co-conspirators have absolutely no moral fiber whatsoever. They change, create, re-create and re-interpret their rationale for their capricious editing with such a remarkable sociopathic ease that is frightening.
If their objective is to appease the Secular Academic world they would be better off providing a definitive work rather than a constantly changing ‘work in progress’ which only displays their inconsistent and changeable state of mind.
B Radha-Govinda provided us with an excellent example of above mentioned characteristics off BBTi in her article titled Jayadvaita Swami: Is He on the mental platform?
In her article she writes;
“Regarding Jayadvaita Swami and the question, “Is he on the mental platform?” my question comes because not only does Jayadvaita Swami change certain things in Srila Prabhupada’s books, but he makes changes to the changes he (JAS) has himself already made.
To give one example, over the years I saw a few different changed versions of Bhagavad-gita As It Is (Was), and there were different “renditions” to the BG 2.1 verse, although Srila Prabhupada’s translation was already so clear and beautifully expressed that the reader has a very vivid, heartfelt understanding of Arjuna’s feelings from the verse, which read:
“Sanjaya said: ‘Seeing Arjuna full of compassion and very sorrowful, his eyes brimming with tears, Madhusudana, Krsna, spoke the following words’.”
Despite the (pre-1978) word for word translation, krpaya – ‘by compassion’, avistam – ‘overwhelmed’, asru-purna – ‘full of tears”; akula – depressed’; iksanam – ‘eyes’; visidantam – ‘lamenting’, one of Jayadvaita Swami’s edited (slaughtered) renditions of this verse read,
“Sanjaya said: ‘Seeing Arjuna his mind depressed, Madhusudana, Krsna, spoke the following words’”.
One has to assume Jayadvaita Swami was, at a later point, dissatisfied with his own editing because he changed his own (edited, “subtracted”) rendition of this verse to read more according to the original translation in Srila Prabhupada’s pre-1978 edition of Bhagavad Gita As It Is. This updated/renewed/changed verse read,
“Sanjaya said: ‘Seeing Arjuna full of compassion, his mind depressed, Madhusudana, Krsna, spoke the following words’.”
That was again changed, the final, most current rendition reading,
“Sanjaya said: ‘Seeing Arjuna full of compassion, his mind depressed, his eyes full of tears, Madhusudana, Krsna, spoke the following words’.”
Although in the pre-1978 BG, in the word for word translation the word “depressed” is given as the translation for “akula,” although Jayadvaita Swami uses the word “depressed” in his edited translation of this verse, in his editing of the word for word translation, there is no word “depressed” used there. (Please note the difference between the two word for word translations with asru-purna-akula given below to mean ‘full of tears’ and the pre-1978 BG’s word for word translation, asru-purna – ‘full of tears’; akula – ‘depressed’.)
krpaya -’ by compassion’, avistam – ‘overwhelmed’, asru-purna-akula- ‘ full of tears’; iksanam – ‘eyes’; visidantam – ‘lamenting’.
So one may have to question whether it is a matter of mental platform being the reason for Jayadvaita Swami’s (re)editing his own published editing of Srila Prabhupada’s books, or whether he’s doing so to keep a job for himself.”
B.Radha-Govinda`s article clearly establishes the fact that the latest rationale of BBTi and Jayadvaita swami (his apologist included) that they are changing Srila Prabhupada`s book to its original version is just another sham. As we can see in the above mentioned article (documented evidence) that Jayadvaita swami is continuously changing the books as he feels like it at the particular time, and that has absolutely nothing to do with Srila Prabhupada`s ‘original’ work.
Another perfect example of the cheating mentality of BBTi can be seen in Rupanuga prabhu`s (acbsp) exposé of BBti titled Gita Cover-Up Alert or Buyer Beware
For the complete article go to http://prabhupadavision.com/2011/03/iskcon-academia-part-three/
Replies
First of all we have to understand that the BBTI is an impostor organisation and has nothing to do with Srila Prabhupada’s original BBT. The BBTI just tries to control the BBT, that’s all.
ISKCON and Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. (BBTI) are NOT the authentic Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) founded by Srila Prabhupada for publishing his phenomenal works. Srila Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) is a legal trust and has no connection with ISKCON and the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc., (BBTI) a California corporation formed in 1988, 11 years after Srila Prabhupada departed from this world. Srila Prabhupada established the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in 1972, and in 1974, appointed Hansadutta dasa BBT trustee for life with these words: “The temples may go, the devotees may go, but my books will live forever.”
So, how then were the copyrights transferred to the BBTI? They never where. Hansadutta did NOT “signed over” the copyrights to the BBTI, he only resigned as a trustee.
What Hansadutta did was to resign officially from his post as the BBT Trustee, to which Srila Prabhupada has appointed him life-long (even in writing). The so-called copyrights are still with the BBT, but the problem is that the original trustees of that Bhaktivedanta Book Trust have either resigned or fallen away, so the book trust (BBT) itself is not functional at present, being bereft of its original trustees. That is the real issue and problem. Legally it is very questionable if the bogus BBTI can take over the BBT by getting their own man signed in (into the BBT) with the help of Hansadutta’s resignation.
Because of Hansadutta’s official resignation as a BBT Trustee (at the court case) the bogus BBTI now thinks to put their own man into the BBT and thus control everything.
That Hansadutta has resigned from being a BBT trustee is unfortunate, but it does not mean that automatically the bogus BBTI has the printing rights. This is not the case. The rights are still with the BBT only, which at present is disintegrated because it has no more functional trustees. So the BBTI is NOT Srila Prabhupada’s BBT at all and they absolutely have no claim to the copyrights on Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Unfortunately Hansadutta agreed to a court settlement in which he was offered by ISKCON/BBTI to privately print books outside of ISKCON if he officially resigns as BBT Trustee, and this Idiot (by the advice of his lawyer Gupta) went for it. He betrayed Srila Prabhupada by resigning from his service personally given to him by Srila Prabhupada (to print original books as BBT Trustee).
Srila Prabhupada wanted the BBT to be separate from ISKCON, but Hansadutta being a BBT Trustee resigned from his post, playing the original BBT into the hands of ISKCON GBC-clones, with Dryadwaita Swami on their head, who is perverting all of Srila Prabhupada’s original translations, without being checked by anybody.
Hansadutta voluntarily renounced the Sacred Trust as lifetime GUARDIAN of Srila Prabhupada’s books for the right to print books outside of ISKCON for personal profit, in any way he likes, with no checks and balances, just to make quick bucks with his own privatised company, by his personalized rights to privatise Srila Prabhupada’s books, for himself only. How selfish. How foolish. How unfortunate. What an idiot. What a fool.
The only non-negotiable thing was for him to remain Srila Prabhupada’s BBT Trustee as per his order (as his re-established BBT trustee). As BBT Trustee, it was his fiduciary responsibility to fight an appeal to uphold Srila Prabhupada’s original BBT Trust, with himself as his appointed trustee.
By appointing Hansadutta as a BBT trustee, Srila Prabhupada knew very well that despite his bad habits and artificial fall-downs, he still had the POTENTIAL to save His BBT from the inevitable book changers and political managers that rushed to change His books even before He went into His final Samadhi.
Srila Prabhupada’s original books are not separate from ISKCON so that the BBT Trustees would have the power to demand the purity and obedience to Srila Prabhupada before licensing publishing rights to any branch of ISKCON. In that way, the BBT Trustee was created as the ultimate watchdog of the standards of ISKCON.
But Hansadutta has rejected his service of protecting the integrity of Srila Prabhupada’s book-setup, by not getting a court settlement of being re-established as Srila Prabhupada’s appointed BBT Trustee. On the opposite, he gave up his post to the KING of the book-changers, Jayadwaita Swami. Not only will the BBTI now NOT be forced to rectify the changed books of the Pure Devotee, but the book-changing fox has been locked in with the chickens! It is hilarious, one does not know if to laugh or cry. Srila Prabhupada wanted him, as his BBT Trustee, to protect his books but he has betrayed him by selling out to the greatest demon and book-changers for a cheap settlement of personal publishing rights.
This is most fatal:
In the settlement it is stated: “Hansadutta Dasa, Veda Guhya Dasa, Bhagavan Dasa, and Dasa Dasanudasa Dasa Dasi have voluntarily stepped down from any role they might have had as trustees of the 1972 trust. And all concerned have agreed that now the (new) trustees (of the BBT) will be four trustees from the BBT-I International: Brahma Muhurta Dasa, Naresvara Dasa, Svavasa Dasa, and Jayadvaita Swami.”
So, that means the new BBT trustees are now Brahma Muhurta Dasa, Naresvara Dasa, Svavasa Dasa, and Jayadvaita Swami, and the bogus BBT-I trustees are also Brahma Muhurta Dasa, Nerdesvara Dasa, Svavasa Dasa, and Jayadvaita Swami.
The settlement further states: “With the validity of the California trust now reaffirmed, all parties agree that the rightful beneficiary of the trust is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness”. “The BBT-I will continue handling the active side of the BBT operations” (What is that meaning??)
Sounds really bad, and this scum Naresvara (a real nerd) also called Nerdesvara helped destroy the Singapore printing. WOW, the worst scum’s Jayadvaita, Nerdesvara and Svavas controlling the BBT as well as the BBT-I. Unbelievable!
However, since Hasadutta did not get the printing license (because it was given to Gupta) he has rescinded his resignation as BBT Trustee. Hansadutta on his website wrote the following:
“This is to notify you that inasmuch as your organization has never given me a license to print the original books of Srila Prabhupada but rather the license has been given to Krsna Books Inc. the formation of which has been proven in court proceedings to be a fraud practiced by my attorney Joseph Fedorowsky (See California State Bar Complaint Case No. 99-0-11217, See Overview of Complaint attached as Exhibit 1).
Also none of the Settlement monies were paid to me other than to cover whatever obligation I may have had to Mr. Fedorowsky. This leaves me no alternative than to rescind the settlement agreement and withdraw my resignation pursuant to which you were appointed trustees of the trust and I must reassert my position as trustee of the trust.
Since the Settlement Agreement has been invalidated I have no alternative but to reassert my duties as trustee. I will now perform my responsibilities as trustee.”
Also Madhudvisa wrote to Locanananda the following:
“BBTI is not even the “BBT” Prabhupada established. It is simply ISKCON operating under another name. They have nothing to do whatsoever with Prabhupada’s BBT. It is simply a con. They are not the BBT and, as Hansadutta Prabhu’s case has proved, THEY HAVE NO CLEAR CLAIM TO THE COPYRIGHTS OF PRABHUPADA’S BOOKS. So the copyright issue is not relevant. BBTI have no clear claim to the rights to Prabhupada’s books at all. Nothing has changed since Hansadutta’s case except Hansadutta “signed over” the copyrights to the BBTI… But it is very unlikely that Hansadutta had the copyrights of Prabhupada’s books in his possession so his “signing over” of the copyrights to the BBTI is completely bogus also. So the BBTI is NOT Prabhupada’s BBT at all and they do not have any clear claim to the copyrights on Prabhupada’s books.
So these sentimental arguments that the “BBTI should do it” are not very relevant. THE BBT PRABHUPADA ESTABLISHED NO LONGER EXISTS (due to NO original trustees). So now the sincere disciples of Srila Prabhupada have to “do the needful” and get Prabhupada’s original books back in print and distribute them, perhaps by reestablishing the REAL BBT. This action alone can force the BBTI to print Prabhupada’s original books also as in the presence of Prabhupada’s original books there is no market for their adulterated versions of many of Prabhupada’s books they print [NOT all of them are changed--BBTI still publish some original pre-1977 books as well]
Actually if we like it or not, but we now have to work with Gupta, since he holds the court approved license, to print original books. Actually Gupta has to sue now the bogus BBTI for printing unauthorised Books.
Dear Kirtan prabhu,
Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. PAMFO I hope you are well.
There are definitely many devotees so much more qualified than me to give thorough explain to you Jayadvaita’s making the changes he has made to practically all, if not all of Srila Prabhupada’s books; some changes made in such a way where Jayadvaita even changes the philosophy.
While Srila Prabhupada was present on the planet, some changes in His books came to His attention, Srila Prabhupada expressing His upset, saying “Rascal editors.” Srila Prabhupada said that the changes these editors made, should be changed (back) to what had originally been written.
For one to make a change to any author’s books without the author’s permission is simply not done, what to speak of when the author is Krsna’s pure devotee, empowered by Krsna, specifically for presenting these books on behalf of Krsna, Who is trying to save people through His Pure Devotee and the books presented through His Pure Devotee.
Srila Prabhupada when asked by a devotee why it was He (Srila Prabhupada) was reading His own books, replied that it was Krsna Who had dictated the books; that Srila Prabhupada was simply taking and writing down the dictation from Krsna.
There is a verse in the Srimad Bhagavatam (1.5.11) which explains, “That literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.”
So there are so many things which can be said, the changes listed – which apparently many devotees have done – but this SB 1.5.11 verse explains it all.
What disciple would dare!!! without being instructed by or taking permission from their Guru Maharaja to make the kinds of changes Jayadvaita has to their Guru Maharaja’s books? That Jayadvaita has done this, is an abomination, one we know that Srila Prabhupada would not be happy with at all.
I hope all is well.
Your servant,
B. Radha-Govinda
Hare Krsna
I myself am not on the “up and up” regarding the various changes, but I am aware of at least some of the changes made to Srila Prabhupada’s “Bhagavad Gita As It Is.”
I know the book changing controversy has been going on a LONG time. I had a cursory look at some of the arguements for and against a good while ago but I’m really not up to speed. Could some of you please explain to me, and others who wouldn’t be familiar with what’s at stake, how you see it and what significant changes have been made. Thanks,