BBT Admits Books Changed To Fit GBC Philosophy
The BBT could not allow Srila Prabhupada to teach that Jagannatha Dasa Babaji actually *initiated* Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, for that would indirectly sanction Srila Prabhupada *initiating* for many generations to come simply via his transcendental knowledge, with the ‘formal initiation’ administered via the Ritvik system that he set up.
We highlighted previously in newsletter No. 20, how Bhakti Caru Swami’s Bengali translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam had omitted a very key verse from Srila Prabhupada’s original version. The omitted verse in question would itself have destroyed the GBC’s position that they were duly authorised to be Diksa Gurus in ISKCON. This of course was shocking, since it showed that Srila Prabhupada’s books were being ‘edited’ not to bring them closer to the originals as claimed, but rather doctored to prop up the GBC’s bogus Guru philosophy.
Though we had also been aware of many other controversial changes made to Srila Prabhupada’s books, the BBT had always claimed that they were made to actually correct ‘errors’ made by Srila Prabhupada’s ‘hippie’ editors. Thus they were not actually changing Srila Prabhupada’s books, but Hayagriva’s ‘incorrect version’ of the books, and thereby actually RESTORING the books BACK to how Srila Prabhupada actually wanted them. However, thanks to the diligent efforts of His Grace Dhira Govinda Prabhu, the Chairman of the ISKCON Office of Child Protection, we now have evidence that the current BBT, which is controlled by GBC supporters, are making changes motivated slowly by the desire to doctor Srila Prabhupada’s books so that they fit in with whatever happens to be the prevailing view instituted in ISKCON by the GBC.
Some time back many devotees had noticed that the new 9 Volume edition of the Caitanya Caritamrta had made a deliberate change from Srila Prabhupada’s original version, not unlike the one made by Bhakti Caru Swami mentioned earlier. Srila Prabhupada’s Caitanya Caritamrta states the following:
“Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura accepted Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, who *initiated* Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who in turn initiated Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji”
(C:C, Chapter 1)
In the new BBT doctored 9-volume edition, the same passage reads:
“Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura accepted Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, the spiritual master of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who in turn accepted Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji”
In other words it has been decided that contrary to what Srila Prabhupada states, Jagannatha Das Babaji did not really INITIATE Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura after all. Now the reason for the BBT changing Srila Prabhupada’s teaching here is very significant since the GBC maintain that the relationship between Jagannatha Das Babaji and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was based not on ‘formal initiation’ but rather only on the transmission of transcendental knowledge’. Once it is accepted that the transmission of divine transcendental knowledge ALONE constitutes INITIATION – then the objections made by the GBC to the Ritvik system of initiation crumble, since Srila Prabhupada could also *initiate* us with transcendental knowledge.
Thus the BBT could not allow Srila Prabhupada to teach that Jagannatha Dasa Babaji actually *initiated* Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, for that would indirectly sanction Srila Prabhupada *initiating* for many generations to come simply via his transcendental knowledge, with the ‘formal initiation’ administered via the Ritvik system that he set up. In any case the teaching given by Srila Prabhupada above is totally consistent with what Srila Prabhupada has taught about Diksa and initiation in the Caitanya Caritamrta itself:
“Diksa actually means *initiating* a disciple *with transcendental knowledge* by which he becomes freed from all material contamination.” (Madhya-lila, 4:112, Purport)
Of course just the very fact that the BBT is deliberately changing the main legacy left by Srila Prabhupada – his teachings – is horrendous enough.
However the fact that it was done specifically to keep the positions of the GBC within the crumbling Guru system intact, is totally shameful.
But just when you though it could not get any worse, it does.
For the BBT have now become so arrogant in their campaign against Srila Prabhuada’s teachings, that they have even tried to JUSTIFY this change. Dravida Das, the BBT editor, upon being asked by Dhira Govinda Prabhu to justify the change, first sums up the reason for NOT changing Srila Prabhupada’s teachings as follows:
“On the side of not changing the “initiated” phrases we have the strong bias against changing the books unless absolutely necessary and the fact that Srila Prabhupada did indeed say that Jagannatha das Babaji initiated Bhaktivinode.”
(BBT Editor, Dravida Das)
Please note that Dravida clearly ADMITS that Srila Prabhupada “DID indeed say that Jagannatha das Babaji initiated Bhaktivinode”.
To any sane person, this would be the ONLY reason required to NOT tamper with Srila Prabhupada’s teachings in any manner whatsoever. But hold on.
Dravida Das has a reason that far outweighs a mere detail such as what Srila Prabhupada himself actually taught. Rather he states we must change Srila Prabhupada’s teachings to ensure they conform with what is currently understood within ISKCON in regards to initiation:
“Leaving one or both “initiated”s will strongly imply that the use of the phrases “direct disciple” and even “accepted [as his disciple]” indicate formal initiation as we know it in ISKCON, which is far from the truth.” (BBT Editor, Dravida Das)
Dravida then adds that this reason was paramount in justifying the change:
This last was the weightiest argument, in my view, for changing the passage.
(BBT Editor, Dravida Das)
Thus to summarise, what Dravida is saying is this: That whenever Srila Prabhupada’s teachings differ from the way ‘we know it in ISKCON’, then they must be changed to conform with the way we DO ‘know it in ISKCON’. And of course the way ‘we know it in ISKCON’ is dictated by whatever ridiculous philosophy the GBC happens to be preaching at the time.
So the fact that we have had a bogus Guru system imposed on us in ISKCON by the GBC means that even though we may find that Srila Prabhupada teaches something else, we must modify Srila Prabhupada’s teachings to agree with the way things are understood in ISKCON. Instead of changing the practices and understanding of ISKCON to conform with Srila Prabhupada’s teachings – which of course is what a spiritual society based on following Srila Prabhupada would do. Not only is it bad enough that ISKCON is NOT run according to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, but now Srila Prabhupada’s teachings must also be changed to fit in with the way we happen to be doing things in ISKCON.
What makes this shocking state of affairs even more ludicrous is that the way things are ‘known in ISKCON’ are themselves constantly changing anyway.
1) Thus from 1978-onwards, in ISKCON we ‘knew’ one thing in regards to the process of initiation – that you could ONLY take it from 11 people, and then ONLY whichever of the 11 people ‘owned’ your geographical area.
2) Then from 1986 we ‘knew’ something else about initiation – that you could take it from many others providing they had received the necessary number of votes.
3) Now we ‘know’ something else – that whoever you get initiated from, do not forget that you must not worship him too much and that Srila Prabhupada is also doing some important things, and indeed maybe even more important than the person who does initiate us.
4) And what’s the betting that this ‘understanding’ will also change in the next year or so?
5) And just because we happen to ‘know’ at the moment that initiation must mean the ‘formal ceremony’, therefore any teaching in Srila Prabhupada’s books that imply otherwise must be doctored.
And this is a very sinister development for yet another reason. For this justification is laying the ground for making ANY further change to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings that the GBC deems fit. Thus in the future if it is ‘known in ISKCON’ that ‘women are as intelligent as men’ say, then we will be able to alter all of Srila Prabhupada’s statements where he says that women are less intelligent, since then it would not conform with the way things are ‘known in ISKCON’. Or if in the future we begin to ‘know in ISKCON’ that Lord Siva is just as worshipable as Krishna say, then whenever we encounter the word ‘Demi-God’ in Srila Prabhupada’s books, then all those instances must be changed. And so on.
Of course someone may argue that the philosophy as ‘we know it in ISKCON’ will never change and will always be faithful to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, and the above fear is unfounded. (Of course Pigs May Also Fly).
If the last 23 years is anything to go by, the only thing we can say with certainty is that the GBC will ALWAYS be deviating from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, and the ONLY SAFEGUARD WE HAVE IS SRILA PRABHUPADA’S TEACHINGS.
And once we change Srila Prabhupada’s teachings to fit in with whatever nonsense we happen to believe, then all will be lost – as seems to be happening now.
How much longer must we put up this with this madness that is leading to the destruction of Srila Prabhupada’s movement. No wonder devotees, life members and members of the public, are turning to support the IRM in their droves.
From: Adridharana Dasa, Temple President ISKCON Calcutta
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The param para system works as long as you have the right people.Srila Prabhupada wanted the guru param para to continue. He said that after leaving his body the rittvic gurus would become “regular guru” and that their disciples would become his grand disciples. I have never liked the rittvic thing because it is a dead end, saturated with blasphemy and faithlessness.
I came onto this web sight because you are against the changes made to Srila Prabhupada’s books. I would like to read Srila Prabhupada’s original 1st canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Being personally hand typed and edited by his divine grace it must be the only real Srila Prabhupada that is available. There are also the original dicta phone cassettes somewhere but those are strictly hush hush.
May you please help me get a pdf or something of Srila Prabhupada’s 1st canto translations of Srimad Bhagavatam printed before he came to America in 1965?
Yes.
PDF is at:
https://krishna.org/srila-prabhupadas-delhi-bhagavatam-pdf-download/
Hate Krishna Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I just recently gave the Bhagavad-Gita As It is to my father to read. He is trying to read it but the problem is he is more comfortable in our local language i.e. Assamese. I requested him to read in English. But I understand his problem. He doesn’t understand most of the sentences.
So after thinking over this matter for many weeks, I finally bought the Assamese translation of the Bhagavad-Gita. The Edited one. The edited one and so called enlarged one has only 16 colour illistrations and out of which only 8 of them are from yhe original book.I had no other choice.
But I have decided to proof check the whole book with the original Bhagavad-Gita. I will correct the whole book as far as possible with pen and whitener. And I will pri nt the other illustrations on some good quality paper and attach them to the book. That is my idea.
My father is somehow convinced to read the Bhagavad-Gita after so much persuassion and Canvassing. I don’t want that he loses the enthusiasm.
I want your guidance Prabhu. Please tell me if I have the right idea?
Hare Krishna Prabhu
It is wonderful to hear your father is becoming interested in Krishna consciousness because of your good association!
Yes. Srila Prabhupada says ‘A blind uncle is better than no uncle at all.’ So for those people who can’t read English then the translations of Prabhupada’s books in other languages are better than no translation at all.
So I think you can just let him read it. I don’t think you need to correct it. And he can have the English one also and can look at the photos in the English version.
And you can discuss it with him as he reads it, he can ask questions, you can read the verses to him and explain, discuss, etc.
It will be very nice, Krishna katha.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Thank you very much Prabhu for your reply.
Hare Krishna Dear Devotee,
All Glories To Srila Prahbupada. Please accept my humble obeisances. Thank you So much for this Immensely important (to say the LEAST) , article. I support everything. Please know i am trying my best to help and would like to do more. In this Age/ lifetime of ours we MUST re print all of Srila Prahbupadas originally written books. please. Let all devotees know to strengthen their real knowledge and support and stand for the Bonafide Guru Srila Prahbupada. Hare Bol
You’re eternal servitor, Bhaktin Cassandra
Hare Krishna, yes. We are trying to reprint all of Srila Prabhupada’s original books and most are reprinted now and we have many of them available at:
https://krishnastore.com/books-srila-prabhupada-om-21_38.html
Thank you. Please save ISKCON.
~?~INITIAION~?~
~?~If you can believe the memory to be true~?~
Told by Vaikunthanatha das (a disciple of Srila Prabhupada).
In 1972, when Prabhupada gave a series of lectures on The Nectar of Devotion for one month in Vrindavan, a thought was plaguing me. When I first joined, I’d been taught that the parampara system is like a chain, and if you’re not initiated, if you’re not linked up to this chain, then you can’t go back to Godhead. I thought, “We’re distributing so many books, but if the people who read them are not initiated, then they can’t go back to Godhead.” So, one day I followed Prabhupada from Rupa Goswami’s samadhi, where he lectured, and just before Prabhupada stepped onto his courtyard, I said, “We’re distributing so many books but if people aren’t initiated, then they can’t go back to Godhead.” Prabhupada turned, looked at me right in the eyes and said, “Just by reading my books they are initiated.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
https://krishna.org/images/btg/BTG45/btg45-23.jpg?x64805
~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~
And from~http://vanisource.org/wiki/720703_-_Conversation_and_Interview_-_New_York
We Find~
Prabhupāda: So you will be initiated, that’s nice. So anyone or any one of you, when you agree to follow the regulative principles, and if you are recommended by our men, then you can also be initiated. It is not difficult. Initiation is formality.
First of all you have to decide whether you will abide by the rules and regulation and become Kṛiṣhṇa conscious. That is your consideration. You have to think yourself whether you are going to take seriously this Kṛiṣhṇa consciousness. It is your decision. Initiation is formality.
If you are serious, that is real initiation. So if you have understood the Kṛiṣhṇa philosophy, and if you have decided that you will take Kṛiṣhṇa consciousness seriously and preach the philosophy to others, that is your initiation. My touching is simply formality. It is your determination that is initiation.
Hare Krishna Jonathan
This is a fact, not memory of a devotee, it is confirmed by Srila Prabhupada many times thought his books. He is living in his books, living in his books means he can initiate us through his books. Initiation is not a fire sacrifice or some formal ceremony. Initiation is the time when we actually surrender to Srila Prabhupada and make the orders of Srila Prabhupada our life and soul. So many who sit in on the fire sacrifices never did this, and never actually got initiated by Srila Prabhupada. Initiation happens when the disciple actually surrenders and if we don’t actually surrender we don’t get initiated. But surrender is very rare. We don’t want to surrender… So actual devotee, it is a rare thing. So let us try to actually surrender to Srila Prabhupada and follow all his instructions so we can become actual disciples of Srila Prabhupada.
While this changing of Srila Prabhupada’s books is admittedly infuriating, it also bringsva heavy sadness of heart.
New devotees entangled in the net of Corporate ISKCON will never know how fruitless their participation in such twisted and tainted “knowledge” as extruded (word consciously chosen) by the traitorous GBC Mafia.
So many sincere souls lost in the funhouse hall of distorted mirrors. And the only ones having fun are the GBF Mafioso
No, we have reprinted all of Prabhupada’s original books and they are available for everyone at https://krishnastore.com
So go there and buy some cases and DISTRIBUTE THEM.
If you dedicate your life to distributing Srila Prabhupada’s original books that will be the best thing for you and the best thing for the world and Srila Prabhupada will be very happy with your service.
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakurji IS a pure devotee (a manjari in fact) his taking initation and a conditioned soul taking are not the same. this is not proof of ritvik
Hare Krishna
Is Adridharana Dasa still the temple president of Iskcon kolkata?Is there any guru maharaj at iskcon who follow Srila prabhupada strictly? I thought radhanath swami’s preaching has a hint of mayavad philosophy in it in a lecture here in kolkata.Also,how important is diksha for devotional service?
All glories to Guru and gauranga
I have no idea about ISKCON and recommend that people should have nothing to do with ISKCON. Yes Radhanatha is a mayavadi. Having a spiritual master is essential for devotional service. One can not become Krishna conscious without surrendering to and serving a bona fide pure devotee spiritual master.
So what is the GBC philosophy? in regards to their book changes and who controls the GBC? Don’t tell me you think the GBC pulls their plans and ideals out of thin air and that their plan is ongoing. What is their goal for this isKcon in regards to Srila Prabhupadas books? Who controls the GBC? Follow the money.
Ys Hasti Gopala dasa
Hare Krishna Hasti Gopala Prabhu
Yes Prabhu you are correct of course. “Follow the money.” But the money is only part of it. These ISKCON leaders want to be gurus, they want lots of followers to worship them just like God. But at the same time they know it very well that they are not pure devotees of Krishna. But Prabhupada’s books make it so clear that only a pure devotee of Krishna is qualified to become a guru. It is not a difficult thing, becoming a guru. On simply has to hear, follow strictly and repeat. But they do not want to do that. They do not want to follow and they do not want to repeat. They have so many great ideas themselves and do not just want to repeat what Srila Prabhupada and Krishna have said…
So they HAVE to change Prabhupada’s books. GBC is completely supporting the BBT in changing Prabhupada’s books as much as possible. The GBC have changed ISKCON so much now that today’s ISKCON is totally inconsistency with the ISKCON Srila Prabhupada speaks about in his books. So the GBC’s answer: “Change Prabhupada’s books…”
But they underestimate the intelligence of the general devotee community. They will never get away with this…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna,
Could you please tell me how many languages Srila Prabhupada’s books have
been translated?
I am writing a short paper about His Grace and all He accomplished
but have no idea how many languages now have His books.
With gratitude
Debraji
I think most languages. No one really knows as the BBT is so disorganized….
Dandavats and Pranams,
All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Am I to understand that there is not and/or will not be a bonafide mahabhagavat vaisnava in our Gaudiya sanpradaya? That the disciplic succession handed down via siksha from a pure devotee to a pure devotee ends with Srila Prabhupada?
Hare Krsna
I am a new at Krsna movement the time i started thinking that ISKCON is doing good to spread the love of Supreme Godhead among public its very sad to see that few changes have been done in the Original text books. Its makes me more confuse whom to believe and whom to doubt. Growing Krsna temples in the city means that movement is getting good response but knowing this fact that books and orignal text have been changed is very serious issue and the reason doing such act should be presented among public to avoid any mistrust which may spread slowly among new/existing/future joiners in the community
Hare Krsna
Follow the original books and sing hare Krishna. This has nothing to do with institutions.
jay madhudvisa prabhu pamho agtacbsp i’m very grateful to you to keep me update about what’s going on in iskcon bbt founder acharya srila prabhupada ki jay i do not like to know the jas is attacking you about the aparampara books, is by your grace that i’m more aware about srila prabhupada and his movement this is a battle between asura and deva of course we will win the challenge because krsna is all the time on the side of the parampara and not aparampara books anyway the time is the best witness we have not choise but wating for things to change in better by follow our beloved acharya agtys ys seva das haribol
Hare Krishna.
All glories ti Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Srila Goura Kisora´s spiritual master was Bhagavat das Babaji, but he accepted Srila Bhaktivinoda (a grihastra) like his siksa and real spiritual master. Srila bhaktisiddhanta reffers to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur as “My father and spiritual master”
In the song “Sri Guru-parampara”
by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, is the following:
(text 8)
viswanatha-bhakta-satha, baladeva jagannatha,
tara priya sri-bhaktivinoda
maha-bhagavata-bara, sri-gaurakisora-bara,
hari-bhajanete ja’ra moda
8) Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura was the siksa-guru [instructing spiritual master] of Baladeva Vidyabhusana, to whom he taught the precepts of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Jagannatha Dasa Babaji was a very prominent acarya after Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana and was the beloved siksa-guru of Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s intimate friend and associate was the eminent maha-bhagavata Sri Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji, whose sole joy was found in hari-bhajana.
tHANKS.
Prabhuji ,my dandavats , all glories to srila prabhupada .
If you could respond quotes where srila prabhupada has repeatedly stated his books be not chenged ,not even a grammeritical error .
thank you kindly
your servant
chandra vidya dasa
Hare Krishna Chandra Vidya Prabhu
Prabhuapda did not say that grammatical errors should not be corrected. Rather the opposite. Prabhupada stressed that his books must be grammatically correct. There is are two extremes to the book changes argument. One side is BBT who outrageously change even the actual words of Srila Prabhuapda, because they think they know better than Srila Prabhuapda, and they even boldly and openly write this. Also they openly and boldly state that they “change many things that were already correct in the original books…” And generally with no improvement either…
So the BBT have completely disobeyed Srila Prabhuapda’s clear instructions that his books should not be changed.
The other extreme of this argument is the devotees who insist on printing Srila Prabhuapda’s first-edition books including all the original typographical errors, even the ones that Srila Prabhuapda ordered us to correct many times. Like for example in the 18th Chapter Krishna says the occupation aof the Vaisyas is cow protection but it became “cattle raising” in the 1972 Macmillan Gita. Everytime Srila Prabhupada heard this he commented that this should be corrected to “cow protection,” however there are a group of fanatics who say we should continue printing “cattle raising….”
So the correct understanding is somewhere between these two extremes.
Hare Krsna Madhudvisa dasa prabhuji. i have one thing to say/ask. On http://prabhupadabooks.com/.
It is still written as cattle raising. So i cannot say about other books but on the site i really searched cattle raising and it showed the verse it was saying which matched what verse you were saying here Although in the present books printed by Krishna Inc that i have it is corrected and would assume that bunch of other typographical too corrected(although they might be few left i don’t know just wandering or speculating). Anyways the site apparently especially the Bhagavad Gita seems not corrected. So i am saying this for myself and othersif i have to search something or just reading the book.
Yes. I will correct it when I get the time. Srila Prabhupada has ordered us on many occasions to that it should be corrected. Thank you for reminding me.
It is corrected in the more recent printings of the KBI Gita. There are only 2 corrections they made, maybe three. But not more than that.
Hare Krsna prabhuji. Prabhuji what are the 2 or maybe 3 corrections they made. And you never changed “cattle-raising” to cow-protection as you said you would when you have the time. It is 4 years and 12 days now since the date above which is March 22 2014.
We have corrected cattle raising to cow protection some years ago now in the KBI Gita. There is one other correction, it was requested by Srila Prabhupada. Exactly right now I don’t remember exactly what it is but it is not a very big thing.
Yes. Of course you are speaking about PrabhupadaBooks.com, I have not had any time at all in the past 4 years to work on it. I am so busy, so much service, I want to work on PrabhupadaBooks.com, I have so many things to do on it. So much work needs to be done. But I am unfortunately at present only one man and I can only do so much… Everyone tells me I should do this, I should do that… But you know, I am working very hard and I can not do everything all at once….