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Distinguishing Srila Prabhupada's Original Books from Changed Ones
BY: MONTREAL PRABHUPADANUGAS
Jan 7, USA (SUN) The Prabhupadanugas from the Sri Sri Radha Damodara temple in Montreal, Canada.
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.
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 in the
reader's best interest to read in 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 authorize 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):
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)
Note: Although on the whole one must get the first printings, there
are the following few exceptions which were not first printings
but were printed in the physical presence of Srila Prabhupada
and were definitely not changed. They are:
Teachings of Lord Caitanya (1972)
Nectar of Devotion (1972)
Sri Isopanisad (1972)
Krsna Book (1974)
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 volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam which were printed in Singapore and
also made into a one volume edition are original, but we happen
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 labeled 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 volumes 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 books, 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 Canto are blue, Volume 3 is a yellowish colour
Vol 1-2 of 2nd Canto 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 Canto Volume 1, blue wall paper design dust jacket
Volume 2, grayish wall paper design dust jacket
Volume 3, brown
Volume 4, 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 are misrepresented. It's not our intention since we feel that the content herein is
as true as can be.
Your Servants,
The Prabhupadanugas from the Sri Sri Radha Damodara temple in Montreal, Canada
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.
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.
(SB 2.7.3)
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)
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
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 out his mouth.
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.
(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)
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)
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.
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:
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.
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
Rascal Editors
June 22, 1977, Vrndavana
Prabhupada: Where are others?
Tamala Krsna: Shall I get other people? Satadhanya Maharaja? (long
pause) Prabhupada: That... Find this verse, munayah sadhu prsto
'ham... [SB 1.2.5].
Tamala Krsna: There 's no index. It 's not a new Bhagavatam. There 's
no index in this Bhagavatam. Munayah sadhu...? "The Effects of
Kali-yuga" chapter? Is that the verse, about the effects of Kali-yuga?
No. (background talking, looking for verse) munayah sadhu prsto
'ham bhavadbhir loka-mangalam yat krtah krsna-samprasno yenatma
suprasidati [SB 1.2.5] "munayah-of the sages; sadhu-this is relevant;
prstah-questioned; aham..."
Prabhupada: No? What is that? Sadhu? What is that? Munayah?
Tamala Krsna: Says, "sadhu-this is relevant."
Prabhupada: Relevant?
Tamala Krsna: That 's what it 's translated as, "this is relevant."
May be a mistake. Devotee (1): It 's a mistake.
Prabhupada: Munayah?
Tamala Krsna: "Munayah-of the sages; sadhu-this is relevant..."
Prabhupada: 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?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: Sadhus, great sages.
Prabhupada: Yes. Sadhu 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?
Prabhupada: 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; atma- self; suprasidati-completely
pleased." Translation: "O sages..."
Prabhupada: 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..."
Prabhupada: 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 Maharaja made at least half a dozen corrections of
serious corrections. They had changed the meaning.
Svarüpa Damodara: Some of the mistakes in the numbers, the figures.
Tamala Krsna: Oh, yeah, they 're all...
Prabhupada: So how they can be reliable, so-called, this way...?
(background whispering) Hm?
Yasoda-nandana: In the Gurukula we were teaching Isopanisad class
to the children. So we took... [break] ...Prabhupada 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.
Prabhupada: I know that these rascals are doing. What can
be done? How they can be relied on?
Svarüpa Damodara: It 's not the responsibility of the BBT trustee,
to see these things don 't change without Prabhupada 's sanction?
Prabhupada: And Ramesvara is indulging this. The great rascal
is that Jagannatha? He 's there in Los Angeles.
Tamala Krsna: Jagannatha dasa?
Prabhupada: Maybe.
Indian devotee (2): Jagannatha-suta.
Prabhupada: Jagannatha-suta.
Tamala Krsna: No...
Prabhupada: And the one rascal is gone.
Tamala Krsna: Nitai.
Prabhupada: 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-Radha-vallabha.
Tamala Krsna: Radha-vallabha?
Prabhupada: 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 Jayadvaita. That 's the first editing.
Prabhupada: He is good.
Tamala Krsna: He is good. But then, after they print the books,
they 're going over. So when they reprint...
Prabhupada: So how to check this? How to stop this?
Tamala Krsna: They should not make any changes without consulting
Jayadvaita. Prabhupada: But they are doing without any authority.
Svarüpa Damodara: 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.
Giriraja(?): (indistinct)
Svarüpa Damodara: Yes. We find so far that they are appreciating
so much within the scholarly circle, and we want to maintain that
actually.
Prabhupada: Very serious feature. It is not possible for me
to check, and they are doing all nonsense, freedom. (pause)
Yaçoda-nandana: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: What to do?
Tamala Krsna: I think Svarüpa Damodara '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 Jayadvaita
because his Krsna consciousness...
Prabhupada: Jayadvaita, Satsvarüpa...
Yasoda-nandana: Bhakti-prema, Satsvarüpa is there.
Tamala Krsna: So Bhakti-prema... That 's a good solution.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: You know, the real point is that the Sanskrit is
often not translated properly in the translation, what Nitai and
others have done.
Prabhupada: 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?
Prabhupada: 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.
Yasoda-nandana: Also in the Bhagavatam, where Prabhupada 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.
Prabhupada: It is very serious situation. Ramesvara is in direct...
Svarüpa Damodara: I think they 're working too independently without
consulting properly.
Yasoda-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 Damodara: That 's actually a very dangerous mentality.
Yasoda-nandana: What is it going to be in five years? It 's going
to be a different book. Prabhupada: So you... What you are going...
It is very serious situation. You write one letter that "Why you
have made so many changes?" And whom to write? Who will care?
All rascals are there. Write to 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 Jayadvaita.
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Those two men are both in Los Angeles now.
Prabhupada: So write them immediately that "The rascal editors,
they are doing havoc, and they are being maintained by Ramesvara
and party."
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 Damodara:
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 Ramesvara 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.
Prabhupada: That is possible. That is possible. He should be careful.
Then?
Tamala Krsna: I think in addition to Satsvarüpa and Jayadvaita
checking the English, that Bhakti-prema Maharaja 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 Damodara: 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. Prabhupada: 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 Damodara: One time I had a strong talk with Ramesvara
Maharaja 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...
Prabhupada: Oh, he has dared to change yours also?
Svarüpa Damodara: 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.
Prabhupada: So you bring this to Satsvarüpa. They cannot change
anything.
Tamala Krsna: (indistinct)
Svarüpa Damodara: 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 Damodara: 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.
Prabhupada: 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
Jayadvaita.
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: They have to also be included in the decisions of
the BBT. It can 't simply be that managers make decisions.
Prabhupada: Yes. Without their sanction, there will be... Let
them... These all rascals...
Svarüpa Damodara: One time in that article they made a change.
Saying that, the whole Vaisnava philosophy became Mayavadi in
that scientific article. So I told them that "You are better than...,
a better (indistinct)." It all become Mayavadi, 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."
Prabhupada: So they are doing very freely and dangerously.
And this rascal is always after change, Radha-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 mahajanas, 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 mahajanas and thus attain the supreme
benefit. Prabhupada: Read.
Tamala Krsna: Next verse?
Prabhupada: 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 pumsah paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje
ahaituky apratihata yayatma suprasidati [SB 1.2.6]
Prabhupada: 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 Damodara: Next verse.
Tamala Krsna: Translation.
Prabhupada: No, no, no. Next verse.
Tamala Krsna: vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah janayaty
asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam [SB 1.2.7]
Prabhupada: So this perfection can be achieved by direct devotional
service to Vasudeva. Next verse?
Tamala Krsna: dharmah svanusthitah pumsam visvaksena-kathasu yah
notpadayed yadi ratim srama eva hi kevalam [SB 1.2.8]
Prabhupada: So unless one comes to this position, to understand
Vasudeva, 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?
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: dharmasya hy apavargyasya nartho 'rthayopakalpate
narthasya dharmaikantasya kamo labhaya hi smrtah
Prabhupada: The dharma, artha, kama, 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 Kali, 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 apavargyasya.
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 Damodara: This is apa...?
Prabhupada: 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: kamasya nendriya-pritir labho jiveta yavata jivasya
tattva-jijnasa nartho yas ceha karmabhih [SB 1.2.10]
Prabhupada: 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: Kamasya nendriya-pritir labho jiveta ... [SB 1.2.10].
Prabhupada: Yes. Kamasya, 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, kama, 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 kamasya 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 dehantara-praptih. 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. Karmana 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 Damodara: Yes. Bhagavata says so clearly, srama eva hi
kevalam.
Prabhupada: These rascals, they do not understand. This is the
position.
Tamala Krsna: Next verse?
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Vadanti tat tattva-vidas... [Bhag. 1.2.11].
Prabhupada: That 's all right. And therefore the civilization should
be athato brahma jijnasa, 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.
Prabhupada: What is that better?
Yasoda-nandana: Well, a few hundred years ago there was no airplanes,
no cars, no facilities...
Prabhupada: 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? Dehantara-praptih. Krsna says most authoritative
statement and giving the example, dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram...
[Bg. 2.13]. So how you can check this dehantara?
Tamala Krsna: They argue that "We are getting people to live longer
now than they used to live."
Prabhupada: 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...
Prabhupada: No, where is improved? You are going to be a dog,
suppose. Where is your improvement?
Svarüpa Damodara: It 's an illusion.
Prabhupada: They lose.
Svarüpa Damodara: 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? Prabhupada: 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 Damodara: 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...
Prabhupada: They do. Karmis do that. They want to go there after
death. Therefore karma-kaëòa. By ritualistic ceremonies they want
to be promoted. Ürdhvam gacchanti sattva-sthah. By improving the
sattva-guna, you can go to higher planetary system. Tamala Krsna:
Would that be considered more intelligent than the gross...
Prabhupada: No. No. Because after all, you have to die. Ksine
punye punar martya-lokam visanti. Again you have to come down.
Svarüpa Damodara: 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."
Prabhupada: 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 Damodara: Satisfaction of the soul, Srila Prabhupada just
mentioned. Prabhupada: Yes.
Svarüpa Damodara: So the Adhoksaje.
Prabhupada: Adhoksaje. Yato bhaktih. When you become a devotee,
then you 'll go. Svarüpa Damodara: That is required.
Prabhupada: That is the aim of life. So everything is explained
in Srimad-Bhagavatam. 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?" Prabhupada: 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.
Prabhupada: 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...
Prabhupada: They must accept. They have to accept.
Svarüpa Damodara: Oh, yes.
Prabhupada: 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...
Prabhupada: What is the meaning of argue? I 'll beat you with shoes.
You have to accept. What is the use of argument?
Svarüpa Damodara: Like a madman.
Prabhupada: 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."
Prabhupada: 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..."
Prabhupada: 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.
Prabhupada: 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.
Tatha dehantaram. 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? Karmana daiva-netrena, by
superior administration and by your karma.
Svarüpa Damodara: Subtle law.
Prabhupada: Subtle law.
Svarüpa Damodara: Beyond physical laws.
Prabhupada: Yes. No, physical law. Just like worm will change
into butterfly. You can see.
Svarüpa Damodara: Science accepts that all the cells in human
body changes completely in seven years.
Prabhupada: Yes. Svarüpa Damodara: Every seven years...
Prabhupada: Yes.
Svarüpa Damodara: ...all change. So change is actually...
Prabhupada: 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-sthah. 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.
Yasoda-nandana: They will say, "We can perceive all the changes
during this life. We agree..."
Prabhupada: And next life or this life, rascal...
Yasoda-nandana: "Because the last change, at death, the last transmigration
to another body, because we cannot see according to our scientific
experience..."
Prabhupada: 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...?" Prabhupada: 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..."
Prabhupada: No, there is stoppage of change of body when you...
Devotee (3): How so?
Prabhupada: 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-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet [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...
Prabhupada: Yes.
Devotee (3): They must become a little humble.
Prabhupada: Yes. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg.
4.34].
Svarüpa Damodara: 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.
Prabhupada: 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.
Prabhupada: So read Bhagavatam very seriously. Then your rascaldom
will go. Lokasyajanato vidvams cakre satvata... All rascals, for
their knowledge the Bhagavata was written. Müdho nabhijanati,
mohito nabhijanati. The difficulty is a rascal is thinking himself
as very advanced in knowledge. That is the difficulty.
Svarüpa Damodara: That is the trouble with the scientists.
Prabhupada: Yes. And they are creating greatest trouble.
Svarüpa Damodara: They think that the destiny of man lies in their
hands. Sometimes they say like that.
Prabhupada: 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 ma: "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 ma 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.
Bhagavata is there. Bhagavad-gita 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 Bhagavatam. 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 Damodara: Yes.
Prabhupada: This theory that life comes from matter, it is not
settled up. Still, they are getting Nobel Prize.
Tamala Krsna: Yeah.
Prabhupada: Just see.
Tamala Krsna: Big amount of money goes with that prize.
Svarüpa Damodara: Supported by all the...
Prabhupada: Another rascal. Andha yathandhaih. He 's a rascal,
and he 's appreciated by another rascal. This is going on.
Svarüpa Damodara: Even the government is behind this research.
NASA and federal funding government, they spend billions of dollars
on this research.
Prabhupada: Just see. Then what is the government? Another combination
of rascals, that 's all. They have no knowledge.
Svarüpa Damodara: Some of them are also beginning to feel that...
Prabhupada: Yes, that must...
Svarüpa Damodara: ...there is something wrong...
Prabhupada: That must be.
Svarüpa Damodara: ...with the whole approach.
Prabhupada: That must be there.
Svarüpa Damodara: Like there is a physicist in Princeton. His
name is Dyson, Freeman Dyson(?).
Prabhupada: That is inquisitive, jijnasu. That is there, a class
of men, jijnasu. Catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtinah. They are
pious. "Actually what is the truth?" Jijnasu. And jnani. Two third
class, fourth class, and two, first class, second class. The first
class, second class, is jïnni jijnasu, and third class, fourth
class, arto artharthi. 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
jijnasu and jnani, they are first class, second class. Inquisitive,
they want to know the truth. That is first class. Jijnasu-"What
is that first class?" He is second class. And arto artharthi,
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.
Prabhupada: 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
mam duskrtino müdhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. They are
last class.
Svarüpa Damodara: 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.
Prabhupada: So on the whole, they have not come to the platform
to know about life. That's all right.
Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupada. (end)
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