02/02/98 - 1566

Editors Have Agenda?

USA (VNN) - (See VNN story# 1024 and 1537)

The newly edited editions of Srila Prabhupada's books have led to plenty of debate and controversy amongst Vaishnavas. Allegation have been made that the changes have altered the meaning of some of the texts.

Some passages could even suggest that a possible political agenda could be behind some of the changes to support certain policies currently in place in ISKCON. One such example is (added or changed words are in red):

Prabhupada's original version:
Bg 4.34

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized **soul** can impart knowledge unto you because **he** has seen the truth."

PURPORT
"The Bhagavatam (6.3.19) says, dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. Therefore, mental speculation or dry arguments cannot help one progress in spiritual life. One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge."

New version by Jayadwaita swami:
Bg 4.34

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized **souls** can impart knowledge unto you because **they** have seen the truth."

PURPORT
"The Bhagavatam (6.3.19) says dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. Therefore, mental speculation or dry arguments cannot help lead one to the right path. (added sentence) **Nor by independent study of books of knowledge can one progress in spiritual life.** One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge."

Could it be that by changing the single reference Srila Prabhupada makes to the "The self-realized **soul**" to plural "**souls**", the editors are trying to adapt shastra to the current system of multiple gurus in ISKCON? Is the added statement about "independent study" meant to discourage study independent of an institution?

Another example is:

Prabhupada's original version:
Bg. 3.7

"On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior.

New version by Jayadwaita swami:

"On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Krsna consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior."

One could argue that there is a big difference between someone who controls his senses and someone who tries to controls his senses. Are the editors here trying to accomodate certain individuals that cannot control their senses but simply "try to control their senses"?

A complete list of changes can be found here:
Book Changes: http://www.sudarsana.com/ISKCON/BookChanges/