Distinguishing Srila Prabhupada’s
Original Books from Changed Ones
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the Founder and Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON). He is the author of more than sixty volumes of authoritative translations, commentaries and expositions of the philosophical and religious classics of the Vedic tradition. Of all his various contributions, Srila Prabhupada considered his books most important. In fact, he would often describe his work of translating and explaining the ancient Vedic texts as his very life and soul.
Unfortunately after Prabhupada’s demise in 1977, some of his leading disciples, such as Jayadvaita Swami, have unauthorizedly changed and edited most of Srila Prabhupada’s original translations and books, thus perverting and misinterpreting the real meaning and rendering them useless. Therefore the readers might be warned to only read the original pre 1977 published books of Srila Prabhupada. Otherwise students might be mislead by bogus philosophy preached by Iskcons false successor gurus.
Get Srila Prabhupada’s original, unrevised books. Beware of imitations!
Since 1978, ISKCON and Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. (BBTI) have been publishing revised editions of Srila Prabhupada’s books, heavily edited by disciples without his authorisation.
ISKCON and Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. are NOT the authentic Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) founded by Srila Prabhupada for publishing his phenomenal works. Srila Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is a legal trust and has no connection with ISKCON and the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc., a California corporation formed in 1988, 11 years after Srila Prabhupada departed from this world. Srila Prabhupada established the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in 1972, and in 1974, appointed Hansadutta dasa BBT trustee for life with these words: “The temples may go, the devotees may go, but my books will live forever.”
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 its 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-1978, 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-1978 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 colored 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 colors 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.
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:
THE RASCAL EDITORS (Jayadvaita Swami) THEY ARE DOING HAVOC
Prabhupada: The rascal editors, they are doing havoc.
Yasoda-nandana: Sometimes they appeal that “We can make better English,” so they change like that, just like in the case of Isopanisad. 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.
Svarupa 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 Satsvarupa 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 Satsvarupa 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.” (S.P.Conversation, “Rascal Editors,”June 22, 1977, Vrndavana)
Prabhupada: Change of government… Just like they say, a change of theories by the rascals. Change means rascal.
Harikesa: But as soon as a government changes…
Prabhupada: Anything change means it is the domain of rascals, pandemonium. Just like in Manu-samhita it is said that, nasyam svatantratam arhati, women should not be given independence. Once said, that is fact. If you want to change, you suffer. That’s all. (S.P. Morning Walk December 14, 1975, New Delhi)
Don’t make addition, alteration. Then you become rascal. Immediately you become rascal. And many times they give me very great credit that I have done wonderful. Yes, I have done wonderful. But what is the reason? Because I am not a rascal. I speak what Krsna has spoken. That’s all. Very easy. Everyone can do that. Not only I. Any of you, you can do this. Simply speak what is…, what Krsna has said. That’s all. Don’t make addition, alteration. Then you become rascal. Immediately you become rascal. (Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 1.5.29 Vrndavana, August 10, 1974)
Rascal Editors
June 22, 1977, Vrndavana
Srila Prabhupada: Where are others?
Tamala Krsna: Shall I get other people? Satadhanya Maharaja? (long pause)
Srila 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…”
Srila Prabhupada: No? What is that? Sadhu? What is that? Munayah?
Tamala Krsna: Says, “sadhu-this is relevant.”
Srila Prabhupada: Relevant?
Tamala Krsna: That’s what it’s translated as, “this is relevant.” May be a mistake.
Devotee (1): It’s a mistake.
Srila Prabhupada: Munayah?
Tamala Krsna: “Munayah-of the sages; sadhu-this is relevant…”
Srila 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?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: Sadhus, great sages.
Srila 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?
Srila 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…”
Srila 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…”
Srila 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.
Svarupa Damodara: Some of the mistakes in the numbers, the figures.
Tamala Krsna: Oh, yeah, they ‘re all…
Srila 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.
Srila Prabhupada: I know that these rascals are doing. What can be done? How they can be relied on?
Svarupa Damodara: It’s not the responsibility of the BBT trustee, to see these things don’t change without Prabhupada ‘s sanction?
Srila Prabhupada: And Ramesvara is indulging this. The great rascal is that Jagannatha? He’s there in Los Angeles.
Tamala Krsna: Jagannatha dasa?
Srila Prabhupada: Maybe.
Indian devotee (2): Jagannatha-suta.
Srila Prabhupada: Jagannatha-suta.
Tamala Krsna: No…
Srila Prabhupada: And the one rascal is gone.
Tamala Krsna: Nitai.
Srila 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?
Srila 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.
Srila Prabhupada: He is good.
Tamala Krsna: He is good. But then, after they print the books, they ‘re going over. So, when they reprint…
Srila Prabhupada: So how to check this? How to stop this?
Tamala Krsna: They should not make any changes without consulting Jayadvaita.
Srila Prabhupada: But they are doing without any authority.
Svarupa 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)
Svarupa Damodara: Yes. We find so far that they are appreciating so much within the scholarly circle, and we want to maintain that actually.
Srila Prabhupada: Very serious feature. It is not possible for me to check, and they are doing all nonsense, freedom. (pause)
Yasoda-nandana: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: What to do?
Tamala Krsna: I think Svarupa 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…
Srila Prabhupada: Jayadvaita, Satsvarupa…
Yasoda-nandana: Bhakti-prema, Satsvarupa is there.
Tamala Krsna: So, Bhakti-prema… That’s a good solution.
Srila 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.
Srila 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?
Srila 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 anymore. They have pulled the word. The meaning of the word is not… So many times.
Srila Prabhupada: It is very serious situation. Ramesvara is in direct…
Svarupa 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 Isopanisad. 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.
Svarupa 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.
Srila 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 Satsvarupa and Jayadvaita.
Srila Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Those two men are both in Los Angeles now.
Srila 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.
Svarupa 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.
Srila Prabhupada: That is possible. That is possible. He should be careful. Then?
Tamala Krsna: I think in addition to Satsvarupa 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.
Svarupa 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.
Srila 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.
Svarupa 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…
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, he has dared to change yours also?
Svarupa 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.
Srila Prabhupada: So, you bring this to Satsvarupa. They cannot change anything.
Tamala Krsna: (indistinct)
Svarupa Damodara: So, we stopped writing article for Back to Godhead since then because…
Tamala Krsna: Now, I think, with Satsvarupa 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.
Svarupa 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.
Srila 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 Satsvarupa and Jayadvaita.
Srila 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.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Without their sanction, there will be… Let them… These all rascals…
Svarupa 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.”
Srila 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.
Srila Prabhupada: Read.
Tamala Krsna: Next verse?
Srila 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]
Srila 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?
Svarupa Damodara: Next verse.
Tamala Krsna: Translation.
Srila Prabhupada: No, no, no. Next verse.
Tamala Krsna: vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah janayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam [SB 1.2.7]
Srila 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]
Srila 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?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: dharmasya hy apavargyasya nartho ‘rthayopakalpate narthasya dharmaikantasya kamo labhaya hi smrtah
Srila 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.
Svarupa Damodara: This is apa…?
Srila 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]
Srila 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].
Srila 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?
Svarupa Damodara: Yes. Bhagavata says so clearly, srama eva hi kevalam.
Srila Prabhupada: These rascals, they do not understand. This is the position.
Tamala Krsna: Next verse?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Vadanti tat tattva-vidas… [Bhag. 1.2.11].
Srila 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.
Srila Prabhupada: What is that better?
Yasoda-nandana: Well, a few hundred years ago there was no airplanes, no cars, no facilities…
Srila 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.”
Srila 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…
Srila Prabhupada: No, where is improved? You are going to be a dog, suppose. Where is your improvement?
Svarupa Damodara: It’s an illusion.
Srila Prabhupada: They lose.
Svarupa 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?
Srila 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.”
Svarupa 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…
Srila Prabhupada: They do. Karmis do that. They want to go there after death. Therefore karma-kanda. By ritualistic ceremonies they want to be promoted. Irdhvam 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…
Srila Prabhupada: No. No. Because after all, you have to die. Ksine punye punar martya-lokam visanti. Again, you have to come down.
Svarupa 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.”
Srila 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.
Svarupa Damodara: Satisfaction of the soul, Srila Prabhupada just mentioned.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Svarupa Damodara: So, the Adhoksaje.
Srila Prabhupada: Adhoksaje. Yato bhaktih. When you become a devotee, then you ‘ll go.
Svarupa Damodara: That is required.
Srila 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?”
Srila 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.
Srila 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…
Srila Prabhupada: They must accept. They have to accept.
Svarupa Damodara: Oh, yes.
Srila 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…
Srila Prabhupada: What is the meaning of argue? I ‘ll beat you with shoes. You have to accept. What is the use of argument?
Svarupa Damodara: Like a madman.
Srila 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.”
Srila 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…”
Srila 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.
Srila 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 million bodies. It can change to anyone. 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.
Svarupa Damodara: Subtle law.
Srila Prabhupada: Subtle law.
Svarupa Damodara: Beyond physical laws.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. No, physical law. Just like worm will change into butterfly. You can see.
Svarupa Damodara: Science accepts that all the cells in human body changes completely in seven years.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Svarupa Damodara: Every seven years…
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Svarupa Damodara: …all change. So, change is actually…
Srila 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… Irdhvam 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. Irdhvam 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…”
Srila 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…”
Srila 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…?”
Srila 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…”
Srila Prabhupada: No, there is stoppage of change of body when you…
Devotee (3): How so?
Srila 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…
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Devotee (3): They must become a little humble.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg. 4.34].
Svarupa 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.
Srila 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.
Srila Prabhupada: So, read Bhagavatam very seriously. Then your rascaldom will go. Lokasyajanato vidvams cakre satvata… All rascals, for their knowledge the Bhagavata was written. Mudho nabhijanati, mohito nabhijanati. The difficulty is a rascal is thinking himself as very advanced in knowledge. That is the difficulty.
Svarupa Damodara: That is the trouble with the scientists.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. And they are creating greatest trouble.
Svarupa Damodara: They think that the destiny of man lies in their hands. Sometimes they say like that.
Srila 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?
Svarupa Damodara: Yes.
Srila Prabhupada: This theory that life comes from matter, it is not settled up. Still, they are getting Nobel Prize.
Tamala Krsna: Yeah.
Srila Prabhupada: Just see.
Tamala Krsna: Big amount of money goes with that prize.
Svarupa Damodara: Supported by all the…
Srila Prabhupada: Another rascal. Andha yathandhaih. He’s a rascal, and he’s appreciated by another rascal. This is going on.
Svarupa Damodara: Even the government is behind this research. NASA and federal funding government, they spend billions of dollars on this research.
Srila Prabhupada: Just see. Then what is the government? Another combination of rascals, that ‘s all. They have no knowledge.
Svarupa Damodara: Some of them are also beginning to feel that…
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, that must…
Svarupa Damodara: …there is something wrong…
Srila Prabhupada: That must be.
Svarupa Damodara: …with the whole approach.
Srila Prabhupada: That must be there.
Svarupa Damodara: Like there is a physicist in Princeton. His name is Dyson, Freeman Dyson(?).
Srila 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.
Srila 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 mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. They are last class.
Svarupa 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.
Srila 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)
