June 4 1976 reporter interview LA
Reporter: I think I covered most questions that I wanted to in the interview. Did you say that somebody would be transcribing?
Rāmeśvara: Yes, I’m going to arrange to have it transcribed.
Reporter: Because there are a lot of things that I couldn’t catch, just because I’m not atuned to hearing you, so a lot of words I did not understand. But…
Rāmeśvara: I’ll arrange for that.
Reporter: OK.
Rāmeśvara: You’ll get it tomorrow.
Reporter: Oh, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
Prabhupāda: Thank you. [break]
Rāmeśvara: Just like there is this one point that the scientists say something which everyone in the world believes, but you are saying something different. So he was very interested…
Prabhupāda: No. Ahh…. I…
Reporter: Well the Vedic scriptures say that.
Rāmeśvara: Yes, the Vedic scriptures…
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Rāmeśvara: …something different.
Prabhupāda: The thing is, that is practical. That scientifics statement given today, and after few days it is changed.
Reporter: Yes.
Prabhupāda: Then if I say “What is the value of such statement if you change it?” That is my point. And so far Vedic injunctions are there, you don’t change. What was given millions of years ago, that we carry.
Reporter: Thank you very much.
Rāmeśvara: Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)
Some Conclusions– Srila Prabhupada says…Then if I say “What is the value of such statement if you change it?” He also has said the American disease is to change everything and he was talking about his disciples who had this disease of the mind.. He also said if you change the Bible or any scripture then where is the authority left? It has authenticity ONLY BECAUSE it has not been changed.
Therefore the 4th regulative principle is to not speculate or gamble. We accept in total (even if we dont understand it) all that the Maha Bhagavat says or writes and we feel no inclination at all to change one word. To speculate is to eliminate the last leg or religiousity that Dharma, the bull is standing upon in this age. It is that sinful.
“Unless one is under the shelter of a realized spiritual master, his understanding of the Supreme is simply foolishness” quote from TLC
LA July 13 1971—Prabhupāda: Unless one is prepared that “I am accepting somebody as my spiritual master. I must accept whatever he says,” if there is any doubt, that “I cannot accept his words verbatim,” then one should not accept him as spiritual master. That is hypocrisy
SB 4.20 17 purport-One should accept the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by bowing down at the lotus feet of the Lord. This means that anything spoken by the personality of Godhead should be taken as it is, with great care and attention and with great respect. It is not our business to amend the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or make additions or alterations, as it has become a custom for many so-called scholars and svāmīs who comment on the words of Bhagavad-gītā. Here the practical example of how to accept the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is shown by Pṛthu Mahārāja. This is the way to receive knowledge through the paramparā system.
Do not make addition, alteration.
Results of making additions and alterations.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 1.5.29 Vrndavana, August 10, 1974)
“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.
Srila Prabhupada’s Room Conversation April 2, 1972, Sydney Australia.
Oh, yes. You have no right. Suppose I have written one book. So I have got some intention. So why should you interpret my intention with your intention? What right have you got? You have no right. If you want to speak something of yours, then you write another book. Why you are taking advantage of my book, and misleading others? I want to speak to the public something, I have expressed my opinion in that way. But because it is popular, you are taking advantage of my book and expressing your views. How much cheating. How much cheater you are.”
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das