
Distinguishing the original books from changed ones
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This
brief article will hopefully serve as a guide in helping devotees
to understand how to detect Srila Prabhupada's original books. We
may just say that in the past on different websites certain books
have been advertised as being original when in fact on closer observation
they have proven to be changed. Whether this was deliberate or done
unintentionally is a subject matter for debate but the fact remains
that there is still considerable confusion on the matter. We were
fortunate to have a full set of Srila Prabhupada's originals(first
printings) and thus started making a comparison. Random checks were
done just as a simple test and on every single one of those checks
changes were found. The fact that changes were found leaves sufficient
room for doubting that entire volumes may well be riddled with changes.
We haven't gone through each and every one of Srila Prabhupada's books
page for page to list the numerous changes since the time was an issue(
hopefully a detailed comparison will be undertaken in the future for
the benefit of all devotees).
Srila Prabhupada's books can be broken into 3 basic categories: |
1) Books that he himself directly wrote
2) Books that are compilations of his statements coming from lectures,
letters and conversations etc…( these were compiled specifically under
his instruction by his disciples, such compilations were put together
in his physical presence.
3) Book compilations that were put together after his physical departure.
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Of
the above-mentioned 3 categories the first two are of greater relevance
to the issue. We are as yet to make a complete comparison of category
2 we thought it more urgent to deal with group 1 since group 2 which
consists of letters and conversations etc… can be verified by checking
back it's original source i.e. complete lectures, conversations or
letters which can be found on Vedabase. In the case of group 1 we
would have no other source than the books themselves.
Group 1 can be further divided as
a)big books
b)small books
group a) consists precisely of the following
i) Bhagavad-Gita
ii) Srimad-Bhagavatam
iii) Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta
iv) Krsna Book
v) Teachings of Lord Caitanya
vi) Nectar of Devotion
group b) consists of
i)Easy Journey to Other Planets
ii)Sri Isopanisad
iii)Nectar of Instruction
The significant point which is worth noting
is that even though some books are titled pre-1977 edition they may
still have unauthorised changes to them. To properly understand this
it would be for the reader's best interest to read on the Vedabase
the 1977 conversation titled "Rascal Editors".In this conversation
with Srila Prabhupada it is very clear that his books were being changed
without his authorisation even in HIS PHYSICAL PRESENCE!!! Therefore
the question which should naturally arise is "among the pre-1977 books,
which ones are authorised and which are not?" This basically is the
crux of the matter. Srila Prabhupada in the same conversation states
that his books should be printed in the original way. What does that
mean? It means that to ensure we get the authorised version we must
in fact get the
first
printing of his books!!!
Sometimes individuals with an overly compromised mentality argue that
not all of the changes were of great significance and therefore minor
changes should be overlooked. To answer such faulty logic one should
carefully consider that any action performed without authorization
of the spiritual master is in itself the cause of destruction on the
spiritual path. Therefore the issue is not how big or small are the
changes, it is only a question of did Srila Prabhupada authorized
it or not. One with a little sincerity will accept what he has authorized
without posing superfluous and offensive arguments.We therefore present
below the first printings of Catergory 1) and 2)
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Bhagavad-Gita
Unabridged(1972)
Srimad-Bhagavatam-First Canto parts 1,2,3(1972)
Second Canto parts 1,2(1972)
Third Canto part 1(1972)
" " Parts 2,3,4 (1974)
Four Canto parts 1,2,3,4 (1974)
Fifth Canto parts 1,2 (1975)
Sixth Canto parts1,2(1975)
" " part 3 (1976)
Seventh Canto part 1,2,3(1976)
Eighth Canto parts 1,2,3(1976)
Ninth Canto parts 1,2,3(1977)
Tenth Canto parts 1,2(1977)
" " part 3 (1980)
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta:
Adi Lila vol 1,2 ,3(1973-74)
Madhya Lila vol 1-9( 1974-75)
Antya lila vol 1-5(1975)
Krsna Book vol 1,2(1970)
Teachings of Lord Caitanya(1968)
Nectar of Devotion(1970)
Easy Journey to Other Planets(1958 if not mistaken)
Sri Isopanisad(1969)
Nectar of Instruction(1975). |
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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) and Krsna Book(1974) otherwise speaking the others
which were printed for a second time in the physical presence of Srila
Prabhupada like the 1st and 2nd Cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam were changed.
One thing which has been circulated by some devotees is that the small
set of 30 vols of Srimad Bhagavatam which were printed in Singapore
and also made into a one vol edition are original but we happened
to have a set of that also and found changes. There are certain tricks
to quickly spot first printing Bhagavatams if found in second hand
book shops.
1) The first 4 Cantos do not have the volumes labelled in numerical
notations on the spine whereas the remaining cantos do. The titles
on the 5th-10th Canto are all in gold letters whereas in the previous
cantos (1st-4th) have different coloured letters for the titles.
2) The 3rd and 4th Cantos do not have an index but the other cantos
do.
3) When checking the inside of the Bhagavatam vols there should be
mentioned only one date i.e first printing which is the same as the
copyright year. If there are other dates mentioned don't trust them
with the exception of the above mentioned few book viz TLC, KB etc…
4) The colours of the dust jacket for the 5th-10th Cantos are the
same as with the recent printing however the
1st-4th Cantos are different.
Vol 1-2 of 1st Cnt are blue vol 3 is a yellowish colour
Vol 1-2 of 2nd Cnt have no brown borders around the pictures like
in the second printings. they just have the photos of the temple altar
in New York.
3rd Cnt vol 1 blue wall paper design dust jacket
" " vol 2 grayish wall paper design dust jacket
" " vol 3 brown " " " " "
" " vol4 pink " " " " "
We would like to end with examples of some of the changes found in
the second printings of Srila Prabhupada's books especially ones which
were printed in his physical presence and also the famous morning
walk titled "rascal editors" so as to leave no doubt in the mind of
the readers that obtaining a set of the first printings is a must.
We will appreciate any feedback from devotees and apologise if any
statistical facts are not included or misrepresented it's not our
intention since we feel that the content herein is as true as can
be.
Your Servants
The Prabhupadanugas. |
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Book
changes in Srimad Bhagavatam:
(The original
version stands for the first printing of a particular Canto. The
changed version stands for the 1978 printing. In case of the First
Canto and the Second Canto second printing of those has been made
in 1976 and is identical with the 1978 changed printings.)
Second
Canto
Original version:
Lord Brahma said: At the time when the unlimitedly powerful
Lord assumed the form of a boar as a pastime, just to lift up the
earthly planet, which was drowned in the great ocean of the
universe called the Garbhodaka, the first demon(Hiranyaksa) appeared,
and the Lord pierced him with His tusk.
(SB 2.7.1 translation)
Changed version:
Lord Brahma
said: When the unlimitedly powerful Lord assumed the form of a boar
as a pastime, just to lift the planet earth,
which was drowned in the great ocean of the universe called the
Garbhodaka, the first demon(Hiranyaksa) appeared, and the Lord pierced
him with His tusk.
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Original
version:
The floating of the planets in the weightless air is due to the inner
constitution of the globes, and the modernized drilling of the earth
to exploit oil from within is a sort of disturbance by the modern
demons resulting in a greatly harmful reaction of the floating
condition of the earth.
(SB 2.7.1 purport)
Changed version:
The floating of
the planets in the weightless air is due to the inner constitution
of the globes, and the modernized drilling of the earth to exploit
oil from within is a sort of disturbance by
the modern demons and can result in a greatly harmful reaction to
the floating condition of the earth.
Original version:
When the Lord appeared to pick up the earthly planet, the demon
of the name Hiranyaksa tried to create a disturbance in the methodical
functions of the Lord.
(SB 2.7.1 purport)
Changed version:
When the Lord
appeared to pick up the earth,
the demon of the name Hiranyaksa tried to create a disturbance in
the methodical functions of the Lord.
Original version:
A sane man, therefore, does not accept any cheap addition of incarnation
without reference to the authorized scriptures.
(SB 2.7.2 purport)
Changed version:
A sane man, therefore,
does not accept any cheap addition of an
incarnation without reference to the authorized scriptures.
Original version:
Thus with the proportionate improvement of such transcendental devotional
service, the devotee makes definite progress in the matter of
brahma-gati, or atma-gati.
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Changed
version:
Thus with the
proportionate improvement of such transcendental devotional service,
the devotee makes definite progress toward
brahma-gati, or atma-gati.
Original version:
The Lord accepted his prayer, and he gave himself as the son of Atreya.
(SB 2.7.4 purport)
Changed version:
The Lord accepted
his prayer, and he gave himself as the son of Atri.
Original version:
In order to create different planetary systems I had to undergo
austerities and penance, and the Lord, thus being pleased with me,
incarnated in four sanas(Sanaka, Sanatkumara, Sanandana and Sanatana).
In the previous creation the spiritual truth was devastated, but the
four sanas explained it so nicely that the truth at once became clearly
perceived by the sages.
(SB 2.7.5 translation)
Changed version:
To create different
planetary systems I had to undergo austerities and penance, and the
Lord, thus being pleased with me, incarnated in four sanas(Sanaka,
Sanatkumara, Sanandana and Sanatana). In the previous creation the
spiritual truth was devastated, but the four sanas explained it so
nicely that the truth at once became clearly perceived by the sages.
Original version:
The living entities are positively sanatanam, but superlatively because
the living entities are apt to fall to the atmosphere of noneternity
also.
(SB 2.7. 5 purport)
Changed version:
The living entities
are positively sanatanam, but superlatively because the living entities
are apt to fall to the atmosphere of noneternity
Original version:
Because there is a prime necessity for transcendental knowledge,
the ever-conditioned souls are given a chance for liberation in every
millennium of creation.
(SB 2.7.5 purport) |
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Changed
version:
Because
transcendental knowledge is a prime necessity,
the ever-conditioned souls are given a chance for liberation in every
millennium of creation.
Original version:
If anyone wants to get freedom from the material bondage of
conditional life, he must get free from the attraction for the form
the woman.
(SB 2.7.6 purport)
Changed version:
If one
wants to get freedom from the material bondage of conditional life,
he must get free from the attraction for the form the woman.
Original version:
On the contrary, Bhrgu Muni tested the tolerance of the Lord by purposely
kicking His chest,but instead of being angry at Bhrgu Muni the Lord
begged his pardon, saying that Bhrgu Muni's leg might have been badly
hurt due to His chest being too hard.
(SB 2.7.7 purport)
Changed version:
On the contrary,
Bhrgu Muni tested the tolerance of the Lord by purposely kicking His
chest,but instead of being angry at Bhrgu Muni the Lord begged his
pardon, saying that Bhrgu Muni's leg might have been badly hurt because
His chest is too hard
Original version:
Prince Dhruva was initiated by Narada to chant the hymn composed
of eighteen letters, namely om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.
(SB 2.7.8 purport)
Changed version:
Prince Dhruva
was initiated by Narada into chanting
the hymn composed of eighteen letters, namely om namo bhagavate vasudevaya
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Original
version:
Long life, obedience, good reputation, righteousness, prospects of
being promoted to higher planets, and blessings of great personalities
are all vanquished simply by disobeying a great soul.
(SB 2.7.9 purport)
Changed version:
Long life, obedience,
good reputation, righteousness, prospects of being promoted to higher
planets, and blessings of great personalities are all vanquished simply
by disobedience to a great soul.
Original version:
It is sometimes proposed that Sudevi was another wife of King Agnidhra.
(SB 2.7.10 purport)
Changed version:
It is sometimes
proposed that Sudevi was another wife of King Nabhi.
Original version:
The Vedic hymns are generally meant for sacrifices to be performed
by the fruitive workers who also want to satisfy the demigods to achieve
their fruitive result.
(SB 2.7.11 purport)
Changed version:
The Vedic hymns
are generally meant for sacrifices performed by the fruitive workers
who also want to satisfy the demigods to achieve their fruitive result.
Original version:
This foretelling is by past experience of Brahmaji, who knew that
in a fearful devastating scene, the Vedas would come out his mouth.
(SB 2.7.12 purport)
Changed version:
This foretelling
is by past the experience of Brahmaji,
who knew that in a fearful devastating scene, the Vedas would come
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Original
version:
The gigantic work of churning the milk ocean by combined effort
of the demigods and the demons required a gigantic resting ground
or pivot for the gigantic Mandara Hill.
(SB 2.7.13 purport)
Changed version:
The gigantic
work of churning the milk ocean by the
combined effort of the demigods and the demons required a gigantic
resting ground or pivot for the gigantic Mandara Hill
Third
Canto
Original version:
Both of them knew that the topics discussed by Vidura and Rsi Maitreya
were elevated, and thus Maharaja Pariksit was very interested
to learn from the bona fide spiritual master.
(SB 3.1.4 purport)
Changed version:
Both of them knew that the topics discussed by Vidura and Rsi Maitreya
were elevated, and thus Maharaja Paraksit was very interested in
learning from the bona fide spiritual master.
Original version:
Lord Brahma said: Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose
abode is in the kingdom of God, after congratulating the sages for
their nice words, spoke as follows.
(SB 3.16.1 translation)
Changed version:
Lord Brahma
said: After thus congratulating the sages
for their nice words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose
abode is in the kingdom of God, spoke as follows.
Original version:
He has clearly said, mayavadi-bhasya: if anyone hears the Mayavadis'
interpretation of the pastimes of the Lord, or their interpretation
of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam or any other Vedic literature,
then he is doomed.
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(SB.3.19.33
purport)
Changed version:
He has clearly said, mayavadi-bhasya sunile
haya sarva nasa: if anyone hears the Mayavadis' interpretation
of the pastimes of the Lord, or their interpretation of Bhagavad-gita,
Srimad-Bhagavatam or any other Vedic literature, then he is doomed.
Original version:
Lord Brahma then gave birth to the demons from the backside of
his body, and they were very fond of sex. Because they were too
lustful, they approached him for copulation.
(SB.3.20.23 translation)
Changed version:
Lord Brahma then gave birth to the demons from his buttocks,
and they were very fond of sex. Because they were too lustful, they
approached him for copulation.
Original version:
The mystic yoga system, as You have explained, aims at the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and is meant for completely ending material
existence. Please let me know what the nature of that yoga system
is. How many ways are there by which one can understand in truth
that sublime yoga?
(SB.3.25.29 translation)
Changed version:
The mystic yoga system, as You have explained, aims at the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and is meant for completely ending material
existence. Please let me know the nature
of that yoga system. How many ways are there by which one
can understand in truth that sublime yoga?
Original version:
The different parts of the bhakti-yoga system are hearing, chanting,
remembering, offering prayers, worshiping the Lord in the temple,
accepting service to Him, carrying out His orders, making friendship
with Him and after all surrendering everything for the service
of the Lord... As far as jnanis are concerned, they are interested
in jnana-yoga, but even if one elevates oneself, after a great performance
of austerity, to the Brahman effulgence, there is a chance of falling
down again in the material world… Sometimes it is questioned
how the living entity falls down from the spiritual world to the material
world
(SB.3.25.29 purport) |
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Changed
version:
The different parts of the bhakti-yoga system are hearing, chanting,
remembering, offering prayers, worshiping the Lord in the temple,
accepting service to Him, carrying out His orders, making friendship
with Him and ultimately surrendering
everything for the service of the Lord… As far as jnanis are concerned,
they are interested in jnana-yoga, but even if one elevates oneself,
after a great performance of austerity, to the Brahman effulgence,
there is a chance of falling down again to the material world…
Sometimes it is asked how the
living entity falls down from the spiritual world to the material
world.
Fourth
Canto
Original version:
The real creation is done by the Supreme Lord Himself by agitating
His material energy, and then, by His order, Brahma, the first living
creature in the universe, attempts to create the different planetary
systems and their inhabitants, expanding the population through
his progeny… Svayambhuva Manu is the son of Brahma.
(SB.4.1.1 purport)
Changed version:
The Supreme Lord Himself does the real creation
by agitating His material energy, and then, by His order, Brahma,
the first living creature in the universe, attempts to create the
different planetary systems and their inhabitants, expanding the
population through his progeny… Svayambhuva Manu was the
son of Brahma.
Original version:
Akuti had two brothers, but in spite of her brothers, King Svayambhuva
Manu handed her over to Prajapati Ruci on the condition that the
son born of her be returned to him as his son.
(SB.4.1.2 translation)
Changed version:
Akuti had two brothers, but in spite of her brothers, King Svayambhuva
Manu handed her over to Prajapati Ruci on the condition that the
son born of her be returned to Manu
as his son.
Original version:
This is called putrika-dharma, which means that by execution of
religious rituals he gets a son, although he is sonless by one's
own wife… Manu is the lawgiver of mankind, and since he personally
executed the putrika-dharma, it is to be accepted that such
a system can be adopted by mankind also. Thus, even though
he has a son, if he wants to have a particular son
from his daughter, he can give his daughter
in charity on that condition.
(SB.4.1.2 purport)
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Changed
version:
This is called putrika-dharma, which means that by execution of religious
rituals one gets a son, although
one is sonless by one's own wife…
Manu is the lawgiver of mankind, and since he personally executed
the putrika-dharma, we may accept
that such a system may be adopted
by mankind also. Thus, even though one
has a son, if one wants to have
a particular son from one's daughter,
one may give one's
daughter in charity on that condition.
Original version:
When a devotee becomes mature in his prosecution of devotional service,
he sees eye to eye the same Syamasundara he has thought of
during the entire course of his devotional service.
(SB.4.9.2 purport)
Changed version:
When a devotee becomes mature in his prosecution of devotional service,
he sees face to face the same
Syamasundara he has thought of during the entire course of his devotional
service.
Original version:
The devotee is allowed to see the Supreme Lord eye to eye,
although the Lord is beyond the expression of our senses and beyond
our direct perception.
(SB.4.19.10 purport)
Changed version:
The devotee is allowed to see the Supreme Lord face
to face, although the Lord is beyond the expression of
our senses and beyond our direct perception.
Original version: 4th Cnt(1974) 4.24-45-46
Thus the raga-marga, or Bhagavata-marga,friendship exists on a higher
platform with Krsna, namely the platform of vipralambha friendship.
Paternal friendship, conjugal paternal service, as well as conjugal
service, are visible in the Vrndavana raga-marga relationships.
Changed version: 4th Cnt(1978)
Thus the raga-marga,
or bhagavata-marga, friendship exists on a higher platform with Krsna,
namely the platform of vipralambha friendship. Paternal friendship,
paternal service and conjugal service
are visible in the Vrndavana raga-marga relationships. |
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Original
version:
Here, however, it is indicated that those who are constantly engaged
in meditating on the lotus feet of the Lord are certainly purified
of the material contamination of the senses and are thus able to see
the Supreme Lord eye to eye… Lord Siva therefore advises that
one who is actually serious about purification must engage himself
in this type of meditation or in the mystic yoga system, which will
help him not only to see the Lord within constantly but to see Him
eye to eye and become His associate in Vaikunthaloka or Goloka
Vrndavana.
(SB.4.24.53 purport)
Changed version:
Here, however, it is indicated that those who are constantly engaged
in meditating on the lotus feet of the Lord are certainly purified
of the material contamination of the senses and are thus able to see
the Supreme Lord face to face…
Lord Siva therefore advises that one who is actually serious about
purification must engage himself in this type of meditation or in
the mystic yoga system, which will help him not only to see the Lord
within constantly but to see Him face to
face and become His associate in Vaikunthaloka or Goloka
Vrndavana.
Original version:
Just as one gets a chance to consult with the Paramatma within his
heart, he also gets a chance to see Him actually situated before
him.
(SB.4.28.52 purport)
Changed version:
Just as one gets a chance to consult with the Paramatma within his
heart, one also gets a chance
to see Him actually situated before him.
Note: There is a very popular argument voiced by certain individuals
who have strong affiliations with the book changers. They claim that
the current Srimad Bhagavatam set consisting of 18 volumes is completely
non-different from the pre-1977 Bhagavatam. However, when such faulty
statements are exposed, to smokescreen the issue they say that the
First Canto from the 18 volume set is exactly the same as the Delhi-Bhagavatam(another
false statement), the one Srila Prabhupada brought with him from India
in 1965. To support this statement they quote the famous SB 1.2.18
of the Delhi Bhagavatam,which is supposedly identical with the same
verse of the 18 volume set. However, there are two issues. The first
is that on closer observation it has been noted that the 1.2.18 of
the Delhi is not at all exactly the same as in the 18 volume set.
The second issue is that it was not the edition which Srila Prabhupada
authorized, set as a standard and gave class from regularly
in his physical presence. We have concrete evidence to establish that
the Delhi Bhagavatam is different from the First Canto of the 18 volume
set. See below: |
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First
Canto:
Original version:
TRANSLATION
Oh, it is our good luck that we have today become again under
the protection of our Lord by Your presence; although Your Lordship
is rarely visited even by the denizens of heaven. Now it
will be possible for us to look unto Your smiling face
full of affectionate observance. We can see now Your
transcendental form full of all auspiciousness.
PURPORT
The Lord in His eternal personal form can be seen only by the pure
devotees. The Lord is never impersonal, but He is the Supreme Absolute
Personality of Godhead, possible to be visited by devotional service
face to face, which is impossible to be done even by the denizens
of higher planets. When Brahmaji and other demigods, do require
to consult Lord Visnu the plenary portion of Lord Krsna, the
demigods have to wait on the shore of the ocean of milk where
Lord Visnu is lying on White Land (Svetadvipa) in the ocean of
milk. This ocean of milk and the Svetadvipa planet is the replica
of Vaikunthaloka- within the universe. Neither Brahmaji nor
the demigods like Indra etc. can enter into this island of Svetadvipa
but they can stand on the shore of the ocean of milk and transmit
their message to Lord Visnu, known as Ksirodakasayi Visnu. Therefore,
the Lord is rarely seen by them but the inhabitants of Dvaraka because
of their being pure devotees without any tinge of material contamination
of fruitive activities and empiric philosophical speculation, can
see Him eye to eye by the grace of the Lord. This is the
original state of the living entities and can be attained by reviving
our natural and constitutional state of life discovered by devotional
service only.
(SB 1.11.9)
Changed version:
TRANSLATION
Oh, it is our good luck that we have come
again today under Your protection by Your presence, for Your Lordship
rarely visits even the denizens of heaven. Now it is
possible for us to look into
Your smiling face, which is
full of affectionate glances.
We can now see Your transcendental
form, full of all auspiciousness.
PURPORT
The Lord in His eternal personal form can be seen only by the pure
devotees. The Lord is never impersonal, but He is the Supreme Absolute
Personality of Godhead, possible to be visited by devotional service
face to face, which is impossible to be done even by the denizens
of higher planets. When Brahmaji and other demigods want
to consult Lord Visnu, the plenary portion of Lord Krsna,
they have to wait on the shore of the ocean of milk
where Lord Visnu is lying on White Land (Svetadvipa). This ocean
of milk and the Svetadvipa planet are the replica of Vaikunthaloka
within the universe. Neither Brahmaji nor the demigods like Indra
can enter into this island of Svetadvipa, but they can stand on
the shore of the ocean of milk and transmit their message to Lord
Visnu, known as KsirodakasayiVisnu. Therefore, the Lord is rarely
seen by them, but the inhabitants of Dvaraka, because of their being
pure devotees without any tinge of the material contamination of
fruitive activities and empiric philosophical speculation, can see
Him face to face by the grace
of the Lord. This is the original state of the living entities and
can be attained by reviving our natural and constitutional state
of life, which is discovered
by devotional service only.
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links
to other book changes:
Bhagavadgita
As It Is:
http://krishna.org/ISKCON/BookChanges/bgcs.html
Perfect
Questions Perfect Answers
http://krishna.org/ISKCON/BookChanges/pqpac.html
Krsna
Book
http://krishna.org/ISKCON/BookChanges/krsna.html
Teachings of Lord Caitanya:
http://krsna.tv/tlc108_changes.htm
Caitanya Caritamrta
http://bookchanges.com/cc/
Rascal
editors
June 22, 1977, Vrndävana
Prabhupäda: Where are others?
Tamala Krsna: Shall I get other people? Satadhanya Mahäräja? (long
pause) Prabhupäda: That... Find this verse, munayah sädhu prsto
’ham... [SB 1.2.5].
Tamala Krsna: There’s no index. It’s not a new Bhägavatam. There’s
no index in this Bhägavatam. Munayah sädhu...? “The Effects of Kali-yuga”
chapter? Is that the verse, about the effects of Kali-yuga? No.
(background talking, looking for verse) munayah sädhu prsto ’ham
bhavadbhir loka-mangalam yat krtah krsna-samprasno yenätmä suprasidati
[SB 1.2.5] “munayah—of the sages; sädhu—this is relevant; prstah—questioned;
aham...”
Prabhupäda: No? What is that? Sädhu? What is that? Munayah?
Tamala Krsna: Says, “sädhu—this is relevant.”
Prabhupäda: Relevant?
Tamala Krsna: That’s what it’s translated as, “this is relevant.”
May be a mistake. Devotee (1): It’s a mistake.
Prabhupäda: Munayah?
Tamala Krsna: “Munayah—of the sages; sädhu—this is relevant...”
Prabhupäda: The nonsense, they are... They are correcting my
trans... Rascal. Who has done this? Munayah is addressing all
these munis.
Tamala Krsna: It’s addressing the munis?
Prabhupäda: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: Sädhus, great sages.
Prabhupäda: Yes. Sädhu means they are very pure. What can be done
if it goes there and these rascals becomes Sanskrit scholar and
do everything nonsense? One Sanskrit scholar strayed, that rascal...
He take... What is his...? Saci-suta? Saci-sandana?
Tamala Krsna: Jaya-sacinandana?
Prabhupäda: And they are maintaining them. Different meaning.
Tamala Krsna: “Bhavadbhih—by all of you; loka—the world; mangalam—
welfare; yat—because; krtah—made; krsna—the Personality of Godhead;
samprasnah—relevant question; yena—by which; ätmä— self; suprasidati—completely
pleased.” Translation: “O sages...”
Prabhupäda: Now here is “O sages,” and the word meaning is “of
the munis.” Just see. Such a rascal Sanskrit scholar. Here it is
addressed, sambodhana, and they touch(?) it—“munayah—of the munis.”
It is very risky to give to them for editorial direction. Little
learning is dangerous. However proper Sanskrit scholar, little learning,
dangerous. Immediately they become very big scholars, high salaried,
and write all nonsense. Who they are? (pause) Then?
Tamala Krsna: “O sages, I have been...”
Prabhupäda: No, they cannot be reliable. They can do more harm.
Just see here the fun(?).
Tamala Krsna: Yeah. We’re finding out in the Fifth Canto that there’re
words that are so off, the meaning is completely changed, completely
changed. I mean, in the three chapters that we read, Bhakti-prema
Mahäräja made at least half a dozen corrections of serious corrections.
They had changed the meaning.
Svarüpa Dämodara:
Some of the mistakes in the numbers, the figures.
Tamala Krsna: Oh, yeah, they’re all...
Prabhupäda: So how they can be reliable, so-called, this way...?
(background whispering) Hm?
Yasodä-nandana: In the Gurukula we were teaching Isopanisad class
to the children. So we took... [break] ...Prabhupäda 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.
Prabhupäda: I know that these rascals are doing. What can
be done? How they can be relied on?
Svarüpa Dämodara: It’s not the responsibility of the BBT trustee,
to see these things don’t change without Prabhupäda’s sanction?
Prabhupäda: And Rämesvara is indulging this. The great rascal is
that Jagannätha? He’s there in Los Angeles.
Tamala Krsna: Jagannätha däsa?
Prabhupäda: Maybe.
Indian devotee (2): Jagannätha-suta.
Prabhupäda: Jagannätha-suta.
Tamala Krsna: No...
Prabhupäda: And the one rascal is gone.
Tamala Krsna: Nitäi.
Prabhupäda: It is starting. What can I do? These cannot... These
rascals cannot be educated. Dangerous. Little learning, dangerous.
So how to correct? The leader of these dangerous—Rädhä-vallabha.
Tamala Krsna: Rädhä-vallabha?
Prabhupäda: Hm. He’s a dangerous, who maintains these rascal with
this work. He’ll always have questions and alteration. That is his
business. That is American business. They take that always. What
can I do? Ultimate, it goes for editorial. They make changes,
such changes.
Tamala Krsna: Your original work that you’re doing now, that is
edited by Jayädvaita. That’s the first editing.
Prabhupäda: He is good.
Tamala Krsna: He is good. But then, after they print the books,
they’re going over. So when they reprint...
Prabhupäda: So how to check this? How to stop this?
Tamala Krsna: They should not make any changes without consulting
Jayädvaita. Prabhupäda: But they are doing without any authority.
Svarüpa Dämodara: I think we should make whole survey, all books
already printed, before printing the next batch and check any mistakes
so that it should be all corrected. Otherwise, if the scholars find
out that there are so many mistakes in the books, then the quality
and the appreciation will be reduced.
Giriräja(?): (indistinct)
Svarüpa Dämodara: Yes. We find so far that they are appreciating
so much within the scholarly circle, and we want to maintain that
actually.
Prabhupäda: Very serious feature. It is not possible for me to
check, and they are doing all nonsense, freedom. (pause)
Yaçodä-nandana: Jaya Srila Prabhupäda.
Prabhupäda: What to do?
Tamala Krsna: I think Svarüpa Dämodara’s point, that all the books
should now be checked before they’re reprinted again... And they
have to be checked not by some so-called learned Sanskrit man but
by a learned devotee. Just like you always favored Jayädvaita because
his Krsna consciousness...
Prabhupäda: Jayädvaita, Satsvarüpa...
Yasodä-nandana: Bhakti-prema, Satsvarüpa is there.
Tamala Krsna: So Bhakti-prema... That’s a good solution.
Prabhupäda: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: You know, the real point is that the Sanskrit is often
not translated properly in the translation, what Nitäi and others
have done.
Prabhupäda: He’s a rascal. That’s... He’s finding out guru and job
for filling the belly. That is the latest news.
Tamala Krsna: What is he doing?
Prabhupäda: To find out some job to fill up the belly. Otherwise
he’ll starve if he doesn’t get any job. And he’s finding out guru.
Job-guru. Now do the needful. Otherwise everything will be spoiled.
These rascal editorial... That Easy Journey, original, this (indistinct)
Hayagriva has changed so many things.
Tamala Krsna: He actually took out the whole part about their going
to the moon being childish. He deleted the whole section.
Yasodä-nandana: Also in the Bhägavatam, where Prabhupäda was talking
about Lord Buddha... You mentioned that if the followers of Lord
Buddha do not close the slaughterhouse, there is no meaning to such
a caricature. That word was very nice. But in new book that word
is not there any more. They have pulled the word. The meaning of
the word is not... So many times.
Prabhupäda: It is very serious situation. Rämesvara is in direct...
Svarüpa Dämodara: I think they’re working too independently without
consulting properly.
Yasodä-nandana: Sometimes they appeal that “We can make better English,”
so they change like that, just like in the case of Isopaniñad. 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.
Svarüpa Dämodara: That’s actually a very dangerous mentality.
Yasodä-nandana: What is it going to be in five years? It’s going
to be a different book. Prabhupäda: 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 Satsvarüpa 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 Satsvarüpa and Jayädvaita.
Prabhupäda: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Those two men are both in Los Angeles now.
Prabhupäda: So write them immediately that “The rascal editors,
they are doing havoc, and they are being maintained by Rämesvara
and party.”
Tamala Krsna: Sometimes there’s a fear that some word will be unpopular,
and on account of desire to gain popularity or acceptance, they
lessen the strength of the word. They change the word. They choose
a word which is more so-called acceptable. Svarüpa Dämodara: Same
thing is with the Back to Godhead. Just publish some photo, try
to change so many things in order to make it popularized. They have
been doing that even with the philosophy. (pause)
Satadhanya: I remember when Rämesvara was here, he had mentioned
that in one article you had denounced the Christians strongly, so
he said he left one part out because he was afraid there would be
a bad reaction from the Christians in America.
Prabhupäda: That is possible. That is possible. He should be careful.
Then?
Tamala Krsna: I think in addition to Satsvarüpa and Jayädvaita checking
the English, that Bhakti-prema Mahäräja has to check all the Sanskrit
of all of the books... He’s translating now, so as he’s translating,
he can check. He’s going, starting from the First Canto.
Svarüpa Dämodara: I think this is very appropriate, because checking
English doesn’t have any meaning without checking the Sanskrit,
the original.
Tamala Krsna: There was one verse in the Fifth Canto. From the way
that they translated it, there was no way that anyone could possibly
have understood what the verse meant. I mean, it was made unintelligible
by the translation. So we were reading. Finally Bhakti-prema says,
“Wait a minute. This translation is wrong. They have edited an extra
statement here that is not there, and it makes it completely not
understandable.” Then suddenly, when he corrected the Sanskrit,
it was easy to understand. It was very clear. Prabhupäda: So what
to do?
Tamala Krsna: So I think we just have to be slow but sure. We have
to go over all of the books and make sure that they’re perfect before
they’re printed again. Not be in such a rush, print, print, and
print all nonsense.
Svarüpa Dämodara: One time I had a strong talk with Rämesvara Mahäräja
about our article for printing in the Back to Godhead. I didn’t
want them to be printed in Back to Godhead because they made so
many changes...
Prabhupäda: Oh, he has dared to change yours also?
Svarüpa Dämodara: 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.
Prabhupäda: So you bring this to Satsvarüpa. They cannot change
anything.
Tamala Krsna: (indistinct)
Svarüpa Dämodara: So we stopped writing article for Back to Godhead
since then because...
Tamala Krsna: Now, I think, with Satsvarüpa there, you won’t have
that problem of changing like that. He wrote a letter saying that
one of his first things is that he will not change what is given
there unless... He will not make changes.
Svarüpa Dämodara: No, if they consult us, even with changing, that’s
all right. But they just edit here and there and cut it out, certain
things. They’re changing the whole meaning. And that makes sometimes
nonsense instead of making sense.
Prabhupäda: So on the whole, these dangerous things are going
on. How to check it? Tamala Krsna: There has to be strong philosophical
leaders who can check this, like Satsvarüpa and Jayädvaita.
Prabhupäda: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: They have to also be included in the decisions of
the BBT. It can’t simply be that managers make decisions.
Prabhupäda: Yes. Without their sanction, there will be... Let
them... These all rascals...
Svarüpa Dämodara: One time in that article they made a change. Saying
that, the whole Vaisnava philosophy became Mäyävadi in that scientific
article. So I told them that “You are better than..., a better (indistinct).”
It all become Mäyävadi, so it became all mad. That is why I strongly
told them that “This shouldn’t be the way. If you want to change,
you have to consult with those who are writers.”
Prabhupäda: So they are doing very freely and dangerously.
And this rascal is always after change, Rädhä-vallabha. He’s a great
rascal. (pause) Read.
Tamala Krsna: Translation: Previously all the great sages rendered
service unto the Personality of Godhead due to His existence above
the three modes of material nature. They worshiped Him to become
free from material conditions and thus derive the ultimate benefit.
Whoever follows such great authorities is also eligible for liberation
from the material world. Purport: The purpose of performing religion
is neither to profit by material gain nor to get the simple knowledge
of discerning matter from spirit. The ultimate aim of religious
performances is to release oneself from material bondage and regain
the life of freedom in the transcendental world, where the Personality
of Godhead is the Supreme Person. Laws of religion, therefore, are
directly enacted by the Personality of Godhead, and except for the
mahäjanas, or the authorized agents of the Lord, no one knows the
purpose of religion. There are twelve particular agents of the Lord
who know the purpose of religion, and all of them render transcendental
service unto Him. Persons who desire their own good may follow these
mahäjanas and thus attain the supreme benefit. Prabhupäda: Read.
Tamala Krsna: Next verse?
Prabhupäda: No. Yes. Here is... So this is the aim, that one should
know Krsna. And the human life is meant for that purpose. That is
the distinction between animal life and human life. Therefore the
next verse is yato bhaktir adhoksaje. Find out.
Tamala Krsna: sa vai pumsäh paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje ahaituky
apratihatä yayätmä suprasidati [SB 1.2.6]
Prabhupäda: So life is divided into two, that body and the soul.
Actually the soul requires satisfaction. So unless the soul approaches
Adhoksaja—adhoksaja means beyond the sense perception of bodily
understanding—there is no possibility. So we can start later this
chapter. Next verse?
Tamala Krsna: Translation?
Svarüpa Dämodara: Next verse.
Tamala Krsna: Translation.
Prabhupäda: No, no, no. Next verse.
Tamala Krsna: väsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah janayaty
äsu vairägyam jnänam ca yad ahaitukam [SB 1.2.7]
Prabhupäda: So this perfection can be achieved by direct devotional
service to Väsudeva. Next verse?
Tamala Krsna: dharmah svanusthitah pumsäm visvaksena-kathäsu yah
notpädayed yadi ratim srama eva hi kevalam [SB 1.2.8]
Prabhupäda: So unless one comes to this position, to understand
Väsudeva, whatever he is doing or occupational duty, that is waste
of time. It is waste of time in this way, that the body will change,
so whatever he has done in this life, body will change. So it is
waste of time. After the change of the body, everything is finished.
Srama eva hi kevalam.
Tamala Krsna: Next verse?
Prabhupäda: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: dharmasya hy äpavargyasya närtho ’rthäyopakalpate
närthasya dharmaikäntasya kämo läbhäya hi smrtah
Prabhupäda: The dharma, artha, käma, moksa... Generally people take
to religion for improving economic condition. It is going on. They
go to the church: “O God, give us our daily bread.” And they’ll
go to the temple: “O mother Käli, give me this. O father Siva, give
me this.” So they take it for economic development, dharma. But
that is is not the proper way. Dharmasya hy äpavargyasya. Dharma
should be executed for stopping this material condition of life,
apavarga. Pavarga. This material life is pavarga. Pa means parisrama,
hard labor. And pha means phena, so hard labor that foams comes.
Pa, pha, ba. And still it is baffled, vyartha. Bha: and always fear.
And ma means death. So pa, pha, ba, bha, ma. So dharma means to
stop this pa, pha, ba, bha, ma.
Svarüpa Dämodara: This is apa...?
Prabhupäda: Varga. It is pa-varga. There are five vargas, ka-varga,
ca-varga, and the pa-varga. Very scientific. A-pa-varga. And that
is the meaning. But these rascals, they have taken to increase the
pa-varga, that srama eva hi kevalam. The basic principle of dharma
is wrong. Dharma is meant for stopping this pa-varga. And they are
increasing this pa-varga. And the next word?
Tamala Krsna: kämasya nendriya-pritir läbho jiveta yävatä jivasya
tattva-jijnäsä närtho yas ceha karmabhih [SB 1.2.10]
Prabhupäda: So then question will be that “If we do not get some
economic facilities, so how we can live?” And that’s a fact. Therefore
it is said here, dharmasya hi... No. What is that?
Tamala Krsna: Kämasya nendriya-pritir läbho jiveta ... [SB 1.2.10].
Prabhupäda: Yes. Kämasya, sense gratification, required, but not
for sense gratification’s sake. It requires only for living comfortably.
You try to make the economic development, that is all right. But
they have taken simply for sense gratification. “I have got one
car, and there must be another three cars for my children and wife.”
This is going on, käma, increasing. Economic development... You
require some occupational duty for earning your livelihood... That
is allowed. But why more and more, more, more, more? For that, they
are making scientific research how to satisfy senses. So kämasya
na indriya-pritih. You require some sense gratification not for
the senses, but because you have got a bad bargain, this body, just
to maintain it, not more than. That is varnasrama-dharma. So there
are so many problems we have created. They do not understand. And
this civilization are simply gratifying senses, so dangerous. And
dehäntara-präptih. And they create a position by very, very hard
labor, and the body is changed. Then srama eva hi kevalam. What
benefit you get? This life, you make a skyscraper building, three
dozen cars, and next life, you become a dog. Then what is your profit?
What do you gain? They do not gain anything. So that change of body
is in nature’s hand. Karmanä daiva-netrena. That is not in your
hand. When the body will change, you cannot say, “No, no, I’ll not
change,” because that is not under your dictation. So is not simply
waste of time?
Svarüpa Dämodara: Yes. Bhägavata says so clearly, srama eva hi kevalam.
Prabhupäda: These rascals, they do not understand. This is the position.
Tamala Krsna: Next verse?
Prabhupäda: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Vadanti tat tattva-vidas... [Bhäg. 1.2.11].
Prabhupäda: That’s all right. And therefore the civilization should
be athäto brahma jijnäsä, simply to enquire about the Absolute Truth.
And that is civilization. Now you can... Whatever little we have
discussed, you can discuss now and close our book. How wrongly the
whole civilization is carried on, how risky it is, that they do
not know. Now, what the materialist has to say in this connection?
Satadhanya: They say everything is getting better.
Prabhupäda: What is that better?
Yasodä-nandana: Well, a few hundred years ago there was no airplanes,
no cars, no facilities...
Prabhupäda: That’s all right, but when you become a dog next life,
then what is your gain? You are not going to use this airplane.
You have to make a rest in this car, in this seat. What you are
going to do that about? Dehäntara-präptih. Krsna says most authoritative
statement and giving the example, dehino ’smin yathä dehe kaumäram...
[Bg. 2.13]. So how you can check this dehäntara?
Tamala Krsna: They argue that “We are getting people to live longer
now than they used to live.”
Prabhupäda: After all, you’ll have to change. In a false platform,
to live longer, is that very great profit?
Tamala Krsna: Well, as we improve material life...
Prabhupäda: No, where is improved? You are going to be a dog, suppose.
Where is your improvement?
Svarüpa Dämodara: It’s an illusion.
Prabhupäda: They lose.
Svarüpa Dämodara: We are thinking that we are improving, but actually
we are not solving the problems.
Satadhanya: You said the other day that if we analyze what the scientists
have done, we will see that they have actually done nothing beneficial,
no benefit. Whatever they have done has no benefit, simply some
comfort of the body. But what benefit it has? Prabhupäda: Just like
they have improved... A man is going to die. By oxygen, by other,
other, he may live for a few minutes more. They say, “This is improvement.”
Svarüpa Dämodara: It’s creating more problems.
Tamala Krsna: When we read from the Fifth Canto the facility of
life is so much better on other planets, anyway, so they can’t even
begin to imitate that other higher material planets, what to speak
of the spiritual...
Prabhupäda: They do. Karmis do that. They want to go there after
death. Therefore karma-käëòa. By ritualistic ceremonies they want
to be promoted. Ürdhvam gacchanti sattva-sthäh. By improving the
sattva-guna, you can go to higher planetary system. Tamala Krsna:
Would that be considered more intelligent than the gross...
Prabhupäda: No. No. Because after all, you have to die. Ksine punye
punar martya-lokam visanti. Again you have to come down.
Svarüpa Dämodara: We have to tell them that “We cannot completely
negate the scientific advancement. We cannot simply say that what
you are all doing is nonsense.” At the same time, we can bring out
that “Yes, you are doing, making an attempt to find a solution or
comfortable situation. It’s not possible,” that “There must be something
beyond. It’s not enough.”
Prabhupäda: And that is yato bhaktir adhoksaje. That is the first
citing. There are two kinds of occupational duty. The one is inferior,
going down, and other is superior, go back to home.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Satisfaction of the soul, Srila Prabhupäda just
mentioned. Prabhupäda: Yes.
Svarüpa Dämodara: So the Adhoksaje.
Prabhupäda: Adhoksaje. Yato bhaktih. When you become a devotee,
then you’ll go. Svarüpa Dämodara: That is required.
Prabhupäda: That is the aim of life. So everything is explained
in Srimad-Bhägavatam. And then these unfortunate rascals, they
are distorting. What can I do? How to stop it? Devotee (3):
But they will argue, “Why should we accept that there will be a
next life?” Prabhupäda: Rascal, why you are accepting old age? You
are young man. You have to accept, become. Why you are accepting,
rascal? Answer this.
Devotee (3): I don’t know.
Prabhupäda: So then why do you talk nonsense? “Why shall I accept?”
You have to accept, nonsense. That is the law of nature. Do you
think you’ll not become an old man like me? “I’ll not accept.” You
have to accept. So what is the use of saying like that, foolish
rascals?
Devotee (3): So they must accept that...
Prabhupäda: They must accept. They have to accept.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Oh, yes.
Prabhupäda: You are all young men. Who wants to become an invalid
man like me? With three men I have to walk. Nobody wants. But you
have to accept. I did not like. But you have to accept, compulsory.
What is the use of saying, “Why shall I accept?” You... “Why?” There
is no question of “Why?” You have to. That is the control.
Tamala Krsna: They might argue that...
Prabhupäda: What is the meaning of argue? I’ll beat you with shoes.
You have to accept. What is the use of argument?
Svarüpa Dämodara: Like a madman.
Prabhupäda: That’s all. Nature will beat you with shoes. You have
to accept.
Tamala Krsna: They’ll say, “We have seen old men, but we have never
seen anyone change their body.”
Prabhupäda: This is not change? You are a young man; now you have
become old. Then you have no eyes. You are blind. I was not a young
man?
Devotee (3): But they will argue, “What is the necessary...”
Prabhupäda: What is the use of argument? You have to change. You
are going to be hanged. There is no argument. You must be hanged.
Devotee (3): But why a dog’s body?
Tamala Krsna: Yeah, why a dog’s body? We have seen that you became
an old man from a young man, but we never saw a man become a dog.
Prabhupäda: So you do not... You live. You go along with him. You’ll
see. Change means that... That is their defect. The change... Change
means you have to accept any change. You see or not see. Tathä dehäntaram.
Deha, the body, will change. You have got eight millions bodies.
It can change to any one. There is no question of seeing. The suggestion
is that you have to change. Now, in which body you are going to
change, that you cannot see. So how you claim that “I cannot see”?
That you cannot... There will be change. So how the change will
take? Karmanä daiva-netrena, by superior administration and by your
karma.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Subtle law.
Prabhupäda: Subtle law.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Beyond physical laws.
Prabhupäda: Yes. No, physical law. Just like worm will change into
butterfly. You can see.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Science accepts that all the cells in human body
changes completely in seven years.
Prabhupäda: Yes. Svarüpa Dämodara: Every seven years...
Prabhupäda: Yes.
Svarüpa Dämodara: ...all change. So change is actually...
Prabhupäda: So that change takes place according to your mentality.
You are subtle thing, psychological. One man is thief. By change,
he can become a saintly person. One man is saintly person; he becomes
a thief. So that change, according to three qualities... Ürdhvam
gacchanti sattva-sthäh. You cannot ascertain immediately because
you are changing from sattva-guna to rajo-guna, rajo-guna to tamo-guna.
So how you can be ascertained? But there will be change. That is
fixed. So we have to take this word change. So you cannot expect
what changes. Are you going to be dog or hog or god? That will depend
on your work. How you can expect to see, that “I do not see”? But
that is not certain. There are 8,400,000’s of different types of
change of body. But you have to change. Not that you have to become
a dog. You can become a demigod. Ürdhvam gacchanti... But change
is certain. So if change takes place, then where is your position?
Whatever you have done—srama eva hi kevalam.
Yasodä-nandana: They will say, “We can perceive all the changes
during this life. We agree...”
Prabhupäda: And next life or this life, rascal...
Yasodä-nandana: “Because the last change, at death, the last transmigration
to another body, because we cannot see according to our scientific
experience...”
Prabhupäda: So you die, what you will see? Your eyes are taken away.
What you will see? You say, “I die.” Then what you will see after
death? A dead man has got eyes. Can he see?
Tamala Krsna: Then they say, “How have you seen, that you are telling
us what will...?” Prabhupäda: Seen by intelligence. [break] We are
accepting everything like that.
Devotee (3): So they will say, “We accept there is a change of bodies.
So then life is simply changing bodies. There is no more than this,
simply...”
Prabhupäda: No, there is stoppage of change of body when you...
Devotee (3): How so?
Prabhupäda: How you... How you know? You are a rascal. What do you
know? You learn it. You are rascal. What you know? You become intelligent.
Tad-vijnänärtham sa gurum eväbhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. You are a rascal.
What do you know? The difficulty is that you are rascal; you want
to take the position of a learned man. And that is your fault. You
do not accept your position, that you are a rascal.
Devotee (3): So first we must...
Prabhupäda: Yes.
Devotee (3): They must become a little humble.
Prabhupäda: Yes. Tad viddhi pranipätena pariprasnena sevayä [Bg.
4.34].
Svarüpa Dämodara: They must know that every knowledge-acquiring
process requires certain conditions to be fulfilled in order to
understand it, that those conditions have to be acquired. Otherwise
it’s not possible.
Prabhupäda: So that is the difficulty at the present... A rascal
is arguing. What is the meaning of his argument? He’s a rascal.
It has no meaning.
Devotee (3): All procrastination.
Prabhupäda: So read Bhägavatam very seriously. Then your rascaldom
will go. Lokasyäjänato vidväms cakre sätvata... All rascals, for
their knowledge the Bhägavata was written. Müdho näbhijänäti, mohito
näbhijänäti. The difficulty is a rascal is thinking himself as very
advanced in knowledge. That is the difficulty.
Svarüpa Dämodara: That is the trouble with the scientists.
Prabhupäda: Yes. And they are creating greatest trouble.
Svarüpa Dämodara: They think that the destiny of man lies in their
hands. Sometimes they say like that.
Prabhupäda: That is yes. A rascal can become intelligent man.
That’s good. But without becoming intelligent, remaining rascal,
they are living. Otherwise there is no hindrance. I may be rascal,
but in future, I may be intelligent by education, by... That is
not checked. But the difficulty is that he remains a rascal and
claims to be intelligent. That is the difficulty. That is the difficulty.
We don’t say that “Because you are rascal, you shall continue to
remain a rascal.” No. You become intelligent. Take advantage of
intelligent person. But you remain a rascal and claim to be intelligent,
and that is... They are doing. Little learning is dangerous. We
say that don’t remain rascal. Tamaso mä: “Don’t remain in darkness.”
We say; we are canvassing. The Krsna consciousness movement is for
that purpose, that “You are rascal, but don’t remain a rascal. Come
to the light.” Tamaso mä jyotir gama. That is our business. But
this rascal, he’ll remain in rascaldom, and he will claim that “I
am not.” That is the difficulty. Take enlightenment. Bhägavata is
there. Bhagavad-gitä is there. And become intelligent. But don’t
claim to be intelligent while you are on the rascal platform. That
is not good. That is suicidal. So very carefully read Bhägavatam.
Don’t continue to remain rascal. Then life is successful. This is
the Western obstinacy. They want to remain in the rascal platform,
and still they claim. Is it not?
Svarüpa Dämodara: Yes.
Prabhupäda: This theory that life comes from matter, it is not settled
up. Still, they are getting Nobel Prize.
Tamala Krsna: Yeah.
Prabhupäda: Just see.
Tamala Krsna: Big amount of money goes with that prize.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Supported by all the...
Prabhupäda: Another rascal. Andhä yathändhaih. He’s a rascal, and
he’s appreciated by another rascal. This is going on.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Even the government is behind this research. NASA
and federal funding government, they spend billions of dollars on
this research.
Prabhupäda: Just see. Then what is the government? Another combination
of rascals, that’s all. They have no knowledge.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Some of them are also beginning to feel that...
Prabhupäda: Yes, that must...
Svarüpa Dämodara: ...there is something wrong...
Prabhupäda: That must be.
Svarüpa Dämodara: ...with the whole approach.
Prabhupäda: That must be there.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Like there is a physicist in Princeton. His name
is Dyson, Freeman Dyson(?).
Prabhupäda: That is inquisitive, jijnäsu. That is there, a class
of men, jijnäsu. Catur-vidhä bhajante mäm sukrtinah. They are pious.
“Actually what is the truth?” Jijnäsu. And jnani. Two third class,
fourth class, and two, first class, second class. The first class,
second class, is jïnni jijnäsu, and third class, fourth class, ärto
arthärthi. They approach God. The third class, fourth class, those
who are in need of money or in distress and seeking the favor of
Krsna, they are third class, fourth class. And the jijnäsu and jnäni,
they are first class, second class. Inquisitive, they want to know
the truth. That is first class. Jijnäsu—“What is that first class?”
He is second class. And ärto arthärthi, he is in need. If he gets
some money, then he forgets God. That’s all. His disease is cured.
Then finished business. “O God, give us our bread.” As soon as I
get bread, then finished church. Tamala Krsna: Sometimes people
join our movement like that.
Prabhupäda: Yes, that is the nature. But they are still pious because
they have come to God. And those who are very, very miscreant, they,
at any circumstance, they’ll never. Dog’s obstinacy. Na mäm duskrtino
müdhäh prapadyante narädhamäh [Bg. 7.15]. They are last class.
Svarüpa Dämodara: Few years ago there was a German physicist Schroedinger(?).
He wrote a book called What is Life? And he said life could be understood
just like physics. Then this Freeman Dyson(?)... He’s a very renowned
scientist in Princeton University. He gave a lecture in our university
at Emory about few months ago. He was speaking about cosmic manifestations
of the universe. And I asked a question about this Schroedinger’s(?)
approach, saying that Schroedinger is a very well known and Nobel
Prize–winning physicist. He stated that life could be understood
in terms of physics and chemistry. I asked him, “What do you think
about this approach?” His answer was “Schroedinger did not know
at that time that the physics of modern science, especially quantum
physics, cannot be explained without invoking consciousness.” That
means life is a different entity than normal physics and chemistry.
So they are starting to realize, at least to some extent, that life
could be completely different process than was planned about few
years ago.
Prabhupäda: So on the whole, they have not come to the platform
to know about life. That’s all right.
Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupäda. (end)
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