02/04/98 - 1573

Response to Dravida Prabhu's Article

USA (VNN) - by Madhudvisa dasa

I am very relieved to see that the BBT has at least provided an explanation for this change in Srila Prabhupada's "Bhagavad-gita As It Is", so I am very grateful to Dravida Prabhu in this regard.

Of course it would be very nice to have Srila Prabhupada's dictation tapes for the Bhagavad-gita available. I understand there are no tapes for some of the earlier chapters, but whatever tapes there are could be released. The BBT have released the Krsna Book tapes and they are so blissful to listen to. Srila Prabhupada himself dictating Krsna Book. I am sure there is a market for the Bhagavad-gita tapes, so why not release them? That may clear up many points.

So, in a humble mood, I am presenting the following inquiry to Dravida Prabhu and Jayadviata Swami regarding the difference between the two versions of Srila Prabhupada's purport to Bhagavad-gita 10.34:

"...One need not read many books on different subject matters; the
ability to remember a few and quote them when necessary is also
another opulence."

"Revised and Enlarged" version:

"And the ability not only to read many books on different
subject matters but to understand them and apply them when
necessary is intelligence (medha)."

On the surface it seems the two versions are completely different. Srila Prabhupada's point of not reading many books on different subject matters can not be found in the new version of the purport at all and actually it appears the new version of the purport encourages "reading many books on different subject matters an applying them when necessary" as this is intelligence.

So, with all due respect to the editors, I am rather bewildered, I am simply asking for the explanation. I see in all of Srila Prabhupada's other books the original version is repeated. So it would appear the Revised & Enlarged version is out of context with the rest of Srila Prabhuapda's books, while the original is completely in line with the other books.

So please clear up my bewilderment on this point.

"Similarly, a bona fide spiritual master has no business reading
many books simply to show his proficiency or to get popularity by
lecturing in different places. One should avoid all these things..."
(NoD 7 Evidence Regarding Devotional Principles)

"And one should also not be very enthusiastic about constructing new temples, nor should one be enthusiastic about reading various types of books, save and except the ones which lead to the advancement of devotional service. Practically, if one very carefully reads Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya and this Nectar of Devotion, that will give him sufficient knowledge to understand the science of Krsna consciousness. One need not take the trouble of reading other books." (NoD 7 Evidence Regarding Devotional Principles)

"A sannyasi must not present allurements of material benefits to
gather many disciples, nor should he unnecessarily read many books
or give discourses as a means of livelihood. He must never attempt
to increase material opulences unnecessarily." (SB 7.13.8 The
Behavior of a Perfect Person)

"In Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.13.8) it is said, granthan naivabhyased bahun na vyakhyam upayunjita: "One should not read many books, nor should one try to make a profession of reciting many books, especially if one is a devotee." One must give up the ambition to be a learned scholar and in this way earn a worldly reputation and financial facilities. If one diverts his attention to studying many books, he cannot fix his mind in devotional service, nor can he understand many scriptures, for they are full of grave statements and meanings. In this connection Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives his opinion that those who are attracted to studying many kinds of literature concerning various subject matters, especially fruitive activities and philosophical speculation, are deprived of unalloyed devotional service because of their splayed attention. (Adi 16.11The Pastimes of the Lord in His Childhood and Youth)

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!!

Your servant

Madhudvisa dasa