QUOTES ON BOOKCHANGE
Lets take a look at this example, of how the books of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, are being changed by our so-called leaders and intellectuals. (Note the Bold Letters below is done by me to indicate the changes.)
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (1975 Edition):
"If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master. However, unless one follows the spiritual master’s instructions and the regulative principles governing chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure devotee. By one’s mental concoctions, one falls down. By associating with nondevotees, one breaks the regulative principles and is thereby lost."
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Bhaktivedanta VedaBase) [Revised BBTI Edition]:
"Even if one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Society, still one should stick to the Society; if one thinks the Society’s members are not pure devotees, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master. However, unless one follows the spiritual master’s instructions concerning the regulative principles and chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure devotee. By one’s mental concoctions, one falls down. By associating with nondevotees, one breaks the regulative principles and is thereby lost."
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This example is clearly showing, that BBTI is of the opinion, that they can change and add things, Srila Prabhupada never said, as they fancy. They concoct words and meanings and make it seem, that it is Srila Prabhupada's words. When we contemplate Srila Prabhupada's exalted position, the danger of changing his books, when His Divine grace is no longer present, to approve is obvious.
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DANAVIR GOSWAMIIN 2012 DANAVIR GOSWAMI (GURU AND DISCIPLE OF SRILA PRABHUPADA) TOGETHER WITH OTHER DEVOTEES SENT A 200+ PAGES COMPLAIN LETTER TO GBC WHERE THEY ARGUE THAT BBT HAS WENT TO FAR IN THEIR CHANGES OF SRILA PRABHUPADA'S BOOKS, AND THEY CONSIDER IT OFFENSIVE TO CHANGE SRILA PRABHUPADA'S BOOKS POST SAMADHI.
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BHAKTI VIKASA SWAMI30.08.2012: "However, apart from the longstanding factors of bureaucracy etc., a more recent one has convinced me not to print with the BBT. The GBC Resolution calling for footnoting Srila Prabhupada’s books was withdrawn, but there is no telling what will happen in future. I will continue to publish via a trust whose deed specifies that my books may not be altered after my passing. The BBT affords no such security." (Bhakti Vikasa Swami -disciple of Srila Prabhupada)
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Prabhupada: “We have to do things now very dexterously, simply we have to see that in our book there is no spelling or grammatical mistake. We do not mind for any good style, our style is Hare Krishna, but still, we should not present a shabby thing. Although Krishna literatures are so nice that, even if they are presented in broken and irregular ways, such literatures are welcomed, read and respected by bona fide devotees.” (Letter to Satsvarupa dated 1-9-70)
Prabhupada: "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 February, 1969)
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Prabhupada: "Herewith please find the copy of one letter received from Karunasindhu in the matter of asking my permission to allow Purusottama das Brahmacari to scrutinize final printing. The letter has come from Karunasindhu suggested by Kirtiraja. Did you suggest this proposal to Kirtiraja? If not, then please enquire who suggested this proposal to Kirtiraja. I do not like that anyone should scrutinize our publications without my sanction. Kindly enquire into the matter and let me know the report to Bombay address. Also, send me a general report of Vrindaban affairs." (Letter to Nitai, Johannesburg, 20 October, 1975)
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Prabhupada: "I will have to see personally what are the mistakes in the synonyms and also how you intend to correct them. I was not satisfied with the corrections that were made before. I saw some changes which I did no approve. Nitai may correct whatever mistakes are there, but the corrected material must be sent to me for final approval. So reprinting the volumes will have to wait until the mistakes are corrected and approved by me. In the meantime you can supply the standing orders whatever new volumes are published." (Letter to Radhavallabha -- Nellore 5 January, 1976)
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BBTS SENIOR EDITOR CONCEDES, THAT HE HAS BEEN GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS TO CHANGE IN SRILA PRABHUPADA'S BOOKS AFTER SRILA PRABHUPADA'S DEMISE
Vyapaka Dasa: "Do you have explicit instructions from Srila Prabhupada authorizing you to make post-samadhi changes to his books?"
Jayadvaita Swami: No.
(from published email correspondence between Jayadvaita Swami and Vyapaka Dasa)
Govinda Dasi: "...Jayadvaita Maharaja has said that Srila Prabhupada did not specifically give him the permission to…"
Jayadvaita Swami: "I never got an explicit word from Srila Prabhupada to do this work at an explicit time."
(Conversation between Govinda Dasi og Jayadvaita Swami about the changes in Bhagavad-gita, Honolulu on Jan 19, 2003)
"Srila Prabhupada used to like to sit in his garden in Vrindavan especially in the mornings. He liked to hear his books read to him daily. One time Yasodanandan Prabhu was reading Sri Isopanisad when Srila Prabhupada stopped him and asked him to reread the last paragraph. After hearing it again Srila Prabhupada said, “Those are not my words! They are changing my words! Is my English not good enough?” Srila Prabhupada became very angry and continued, “This is the worst thing a disciple can do! Do not become like a leap frog and try to jump over the spiritual master thinking you know better than him. Tell them immediately [the editors] do not change my words!” (Memories of Prabhupada as told by Gauridas Pandit dasa )
When Srila Prabhupada was asked by Revatinandan Prabhu if we could read Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati’s books; Srila Prabhupada said not the ones that were edited by his disciples. Srila Prabhupada also told him that we really couldn’t understand Bhaktisidhanta’s books. He said not even his Godbrothers could understand them. Then Srila Prabhupada said, ” actually, he wrote those books for me.” (Memories of Srila Prabhupada)
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