04/11/98 - 1738

You Are Not Even The Publishers

USA (VNN) - by Madhudvisa dasa

Dear Varnadi dasa

Haribol! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

"Hiranyakasipu murmured to himself, "Lord Visnu, who possesses great mystic power, has made this plan to kill me, but what is the use of such an attempt? Who can fight with me?" Thinking like this and taking up his club, Hiranyakasipu attacked the Lord like and elephant.

"Just as a small insect falls forcefully into a fire and the insignificant creature becomes invisible, when Hiranyakasipu attacked the Lord, who was full of effulgence, Hiranyakasipu became invisible. This is not at all astonishing, for the Lord is always situated in pure goodness. Formerly, during creation, He entered the dark universe and illuminated it by His spiritual effulgence."

"Lord Nrsimhadeva's mouth and mane were sprinkled with drops of blood, and His fierce eyes, full of anger, were impossible to look at. Licking the edge of His mouth with His tongue, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nrsimhadeva, decorated with a garland of intestines taken from Hrianyakasipu's abdomen, resembled a lion that has just killed an elephant..."

You are attacking Srila Prabhupada, therefore you are trying to attack Krishna. How can you expect to get away with changing Srila Prabhupada's books? How can you expect to be free from the wrath of Lord Nrsimhadeva? The whole ISKCON movement is suffering because of this. The whole world is suffering because of this... What do you think Harikesa Maharaja's constant pain is for?

Anyhow, you know just as well as I do that we have the copyright notice on that website <http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/8403/copyright.html> and the few quotes we have made from the books certainly fit within the "fair use" category and that there is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED WHATSOEVER to get permission from the publisher to quote a few small sections of a book on a Web page!!!

And above all this the BBTI is NOT even the publisher of any of the books we have quoted from at all!! Even the copyright notice in the 1993 mutilation of Srila Prabhupada's "Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers" reads "(c) 1977!!! The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, All Rights Reserved, Printed in Germany." So where is the "BBTI" or the "Cintamani Web Cartel" mentioned in the books at all?


Why not answer the letter instead of trying to hide the evidence?

Anyhow, chant Hare Krishna and be happy! That is the real answer...

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Madhudvisa dasa

The UNANSWERED Open Letter to the BBT...

>Dear BBT Trustees,
>
>Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
>
> "This movement is being supported just by literature. So in this
> way we can flood the whole world with Krsna consciousness and then
> there'll be a change. If we want to see a change in the world,
> then we have to distribute knowledge of Krsna in this way." (Room
> Conversation 701213rc.ind)
>
>I am writing this letter to request you to seriously consider the
>following question: "Should Srila Prabhupada's books be changed or
>not?"
>
>I'm not talking about correcting real typos and Sanskrit errors.
>
>Should we make significant changes which alter the meaning of text in
>books which have already been edited by editors chosen by Srila
>Prabhupada and completely approved of and personally used by Srila
>Prabhupada?
>
>Should such changes be made secretly by the BBT without informing the
>devotees that the books have even been changed, and perhaps without
>even informing the GBC and other leaders in ISKCON?
>
>Should such changes be made completely at the discretion of the BBT
>editors without any requirement they justify the changes they have
>made, or even document them?
>
>Many devotees are completely against changing even a word of the
>original published books of Srila Prabhupada, and that is fine by me
>and most other devotees also. I'm quite happy with all of Srila
>Prabhupada's books as they were originally published and personally
>approved of by Srila Prabhupada.
>
>I have read all of Srila Prabhupada's original books many times and
>the effect they have had on my consciousness is very nice. They are
>certainly very potent as Srila Prabhupada approved of them..
>
>If we continue to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books as he
>personally approved of them they will continue to make new devotees
>and thus the Krishna consciousness movement will automatically expand.
>There is no doubt about that at all.
>
> "This new BTG is done very nicely. The printing is very beautiful
> and I thank you very much for doing such a nice job. I am very
> glad to hear you have printed 100,000 copies of this magazine.
> Now give them to everyone. Also I am very happy to hear the other
> books will be coming out very soon. If you can finish
> Bhagavad-gita As It Is in Spanish and show me at the Mayapur
> festival that will be very sublime. Please print as many books
> as possible, this is my real pleasure. By printing these books of
> our Krsna Conscious philosophy in so many different languages we
> can actually inject our movement into the masses of persons all
> over the world, especially there in the western countries and we
> can literally turn whole nations into Krsna Conscious nations.
> Thank you for representing me there in LSS by stressing the
> importance of attendance to the morning and evening programs and
> following all of the spiritual practices. This is wanted. Without
> these things there is no devotional life. And by your example
> many others will also become strong." (Srila Prabhupada's letter
> to Hridayananda Maharaja 74-12-21)
>
>Many devotees, however, in principle, are not opposed to correcting
>real typographical and Sanskrit errors in the original books.
>
>The thing which concerns me and most other devotees is not the actual
>correction of real typographical errors in the English and Sanskrit
>in the original printed books, but the "revision and enlargement" of
>the books.
>
>More than 70% of the Bhagavad-gita translations and more
>than 70% of the purports have been changed. In many cases the meaning
>of the new text is substantially different from the meaning of the
>original text approved by Srila Prabhupada. We have made a small list
>of some of these changes at:
>
> http://www.sudarsana.com/ISKCON/BookChanges
>
>Even though Jayadvaita Swami has made literally thousands of changes
>to the Bhagavad-gita and most of them appear completely unnecessary,
>he says in his July 1986 letter to Amogha Lila Prabhu:
>
>>First: To my knowledge, Srila Prabhupada never asked us to re-edit
>>the book.
>>
>>As you know, and as we kept in mind while doing the work, Srila
>>Prabhupada staunchly opposed needless changes.
>
>There are so many substantial changes. It is no longer the same book
>as the one Srila Prabhupada personally approved of and used himself at
>all. Jayadvaita Swami himself calls it the "Revised and Enlarged"
>edition.
>
>Of course we have written to Jayadvaita Swami and asked for his
>explanation, as you know, many devotees have done that over the
>years, but he always replies with the same letters [one to Amogha Lila
>and the other to "Senior ISKCON Devotees"] he wrote in 1986, which
>quite convincingly demonstrate there are a number of bona fide typos
>and Sanskrit errors in the original Bhagavad-gita which he has
>corrected, however there is no hint that he has made many changes and
>revisions which alter the meaning of the text in the book from the
>original approved by Srila Prabhupada.
>
>In many places he has, perhaps unintentionally, subtlety changed the
>meaning of the text thus causing it to present a COMPLETELY
>different meaning from the original. That is the most disturbing
>aspect of the changes.
>
>If he simply corrected to the typos and Sanskrit without altering the
>meaning of the text and without trying to remove Hayagriva Prabhu's
>editing who would have complained? After all Srila Prabhupada selected
>Hayagriva to edit the book and liked his editing.
>
>There are so many examples of subtle changes of meaning in the book
>that look like small edits, but actually COMPLETELY change the
>meaning. I have not put many of them on the book changes page because
>it's difficult for many to see how the meaning is changed and easy
>for Jayadvaita or Dravida to write something that "explains it" by
>referring to the "original manuscript" which they will not make
>available for anyone to look at...
>
>Something to think about: (from bg 4.10)
>
>Original: "...the conception of void that underlies the frustration
> of life..."
>
>Jayadvaita: "...the conception of void that
> arises from frustration in life..."
>
>So it is not difficult to see here that the editing has COMPLETELY
>changed the meaning and the original point has been COMPLETY lost. The
>original, approved by Srila Prabhupada, says void philosophy causes
>frustration whereas Jayadvaita's says void philosophy "arises from
>frustration". If this was an isolated incident that would be one
>thing, but there are hundreds of instances like this were the new
>version subtly imparts a completely different meaning to the original
>approved by Srila Prabhupada.
>
>>My dear Hamsaduta,
>> Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter
>>dated May 30, 1975 and have noted the contents. I don't think that
>>Hayagriva is at fault. He has not changed the meaning or the
>>philosophy in any way...(Srila Prabhupada's Letter: 75-06-08)
>
>We have sometimes presented such things to Jayadvaita Swami, but he
>does not seem to be able to conceive such changes of meaning exist in
>the new edition. He just gets angry and calls us "self-righteous" and
>"abusive" and "refuses to correspond further".
>
>On such an important issue as the authorization and validity of
>changes to Srila Prabhupada's books, a point which is fundamental to
>the credibility and authority of the entire ISKCON movement, this is
>not a very satisfactory reply.
>
>>Date: 19.4.1997
>>From: Jayadvaita Swami
>>To: H. N.
>>Subject: Vedabase editions & book revisions
>>Ahmedabad
>>18 April 97
>
>>Dear Mr. N.,
>
>>Hare Krsna. Since you've already decided what books you will accept
>>as bona fide and what you will criticize as bogus, and since you are
>>already sure enough of your convictions that you think it worthwhile
>>to express them in a self-righteous and abusive manner, I have
>>nothing to say to you except that I see no need for us to correspond
>>further.
>
>>Best wishes. Hare Krsna.
>
>>Jayadvaita Swami
>
>It would seem to us that the BBT have given absolute authority to
>Jayadvaita Swami to change anything he likes at all in Srila
>Prabhupada's books without anyone even checking or approving of what
>he does. Of course that may not be that case, however that is what
>appears to be happening. So it is a very dangerous position for ISKCON
>as, really, everything in ISKCON depends on the authority of Srila
>Prabhupada's books. Srila Prabhupada's books are the real asset of
>ISKCON. They are the attractive principle.
>
> "I was very glad to learn how our devotees are coming out
> victorious in the preaching to the university professors and
> students. Other groups have no philosophy nor do they have any
> idea of spiritual life, what to speak of living it. Our movement
> is authorized. Our books are based on the statements of the most
> exalted devotees. And if we follow strictly the guidelines for
> devotional service as they are given in the Nectar of Devotion and
> Nectar of Instruction, then no one can touch us. Our position is
> definitely due to our books, therefore I am always pressing on
> this point. All the groups are declining including the Christians.
> We are being harassed by the authorities and they are all
> Christians. Because they are losing ground, and we are increasing,
> they are trying to stop us. There is always this battle between
> the demons and the devotees, but the devotees always win because
> they are protected by Krishna. (Letter: Bahudak 76-01-11)
>
>If someone is making changes to Srila Prabhupada's books, but is not
>prepared to justify them, and if the BBT refuse to make the
>source-material which authorizes such changes available, it does not
>look good.
>
>I am also most distressed about Jayadvaita's editing of Srila
>Prabhupada's "Krsna Book". That is completely heart-breaking. Srila
>Prabhupada's original "Krsna Book" is so transcendentally wonderful. I
>can't put it into words. It's not possible to explain how wonderful
>that book is. Of course you know that well yourself. But Jayadvaita's
>editing has COMPLETELY changed it...
>
>Prabhupada liked, regularly read from, 100% approved of and relished
>reading his original "Krsna Book". Satsvarupa Maharaja's editing is
>very nice. I'm sure he has not changed the meaning from Srila
>Prabhupada's dictation tapes. The English is very good. There are some
>Sanskrit errors and typos of course. If they were corrected who would
>complain? But Jayadvaita has practically re-written the book! He has
>completely changed the editing style, removed all the words he
>considers redundant, in places added in what appears to be his own
>preaching, and he has used your translation of the Tenth Canto to
>"correct" Srila Prabhupada's Krsna Book... It is a disaster and
>heart-breaking to me... Who authorized him to "correct" Srila
>Prabhupada's "Krsna Book"?
>
>With all due respect, I don't want to read Srila Prabhupada's
>books "corrected by Jayadvaita Swami". And I really don't think
>anyone does. Even the scholars, university professors, etc. Srila
>Prabhupada's books are literary classics. The scholars and university
>professors liked them as they were originally published! There are so
>many rave reviews. Everyone likes them. They are transcendental gems.
>They are priceless. Every word is spiritual. The whole thing is 100%
>transcendental. Even though there may appear to be some small
>discrepancies to our material eyes...
>
>Who would be interested in any of the worlds great literary classics
>"corrected by Jayadvata Swami"? It is ridiculous. People want to read
>the original book!
>
>And "Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers"... That has been "re-edited"
>by Sita devi dasi... Who is "Sita devi dasi" anyhow? What gives her
>the right to change Srila Prabhupada's books? She has deleted so many
>things from "Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers"? What is the
>explanation? I don't think the BBT even told anyone they changed the
>book!! Did the GBC approve of these changes?
>
>We have the original transcript of the conversation and the text
>which has been deleted from the new edition is in the original
>transcript of the conversation. She has deleted Srila Prabhupada's
>instruction that performing devotional service for some material
>benefit is business not devotion, she has deleted Bob asking Srila
>Prabhupada, "You mean by following these [regulative] principles," and
>Srila Prabhupada replying "Yes." She has deleted a whole discussion
>about miracles, "Miracles are for the ignorant". She has deleted Srila
>Prabhupada saying "Our knowledge is perfect." She has deleted Srila
>Prabhupada saying chanting Hare Krishna is a yogic process! Srila
>Prabhupada's instruction that one who does not have perfect knowledge
>should not teach has been completely removed... And what to speak of
>Srila Prabhupada's four page discourse on independence and the fact
>that we are always controlled either by maya or Krishna. It has been
>completely deleted from the new version along with so many other
>things. How can the BBT delete so much text from such a small book??
>Who instructed Sita devi dasi to do this?
>
> http://www.sudarsana.com/ISKCON/BookChanges/pqpac.html
>
>No one in the BBT is prepared to explain WHY? And WHAT NEXT? Perhaps
>they will get Sita devi dasi to do the next edition of Bhagavad-gita?
>The "Women's-Lib Edition" I see you have had some email correspondence
>about...
>
>Some of the ISKCON Matajis may be a little pacified by all these
>changes to Srila Prabhupada's books... But is that really the business
>of the BBT? And where has this idea of changing Srila Prabhupada's
>books come from in ISKCON? Why are the Matajis demanding Srila
>Prabhupada's books be changed? Do they no longer have any faith in
>Srila Prabhupada and his books? Who has taught them this??
>
>Surely the BBT has a far greater responsibility, the responsibility to
>print and distribute Srila Prabhupada's books as he approved of them?
>Without changing the message in the books? Perhaps with real typos and
>Sanskrit errors corrected. If that is all the editors do then who
>would complain?
>
> "Too much editing is not required. If Satsvarupa has already
> edited it, there is no need of further editing." (Letter to
> Rayarama 21-Dec-67)
>
>Srila Prabhupada's books are the only hope for this world (and the
>only hope for us!) so the BBT and ISKCON should be busy making plans
>to print them in unlimited quantities and distribute them widely to
>save the world... Not making plans how to change them and make them
>more "acceptable" to the public and the ISKCON Matajis...
>
> "So Krsna is very popular in India. In every home, Krsna is
> worshipped, and there are many millions of temples of Krsna in
> India and followers also. Followers means almost all Hindus are
> followers of Krsna. They read this Bhagavad-gita. So I have
> recently published Bhagavad-gita As It Is. It is published by
> Macmillan Company, and this book is very nicely being received. It
> is being reviewed by several papers. I have got many others books.
> They are being gradually introduced. Perhaps you have seen in our
> counter. We have got books, magazines, calendar, and other
> literatures. So it is a very scientific movement. It is not a
> sentiment, bogus hoax. Anyone who wants to understand this
> movement philosophically, scientifically, they will be very much
> satisfied with this. The idea is that any religious movement
> without philosophical basis, it is simply sentiment or fanaticism.
> And philosophy without idea of God is simply mental speculation.
> Therefore religious principles combined with philosophy, that is
> perfect. So the younger section become attracted to this movement
> because we are giving some religious principle based on
> philosophy." (Interview 680201iv.la)
>
>How can we make Prabhupada's books "acceptable" to people in maya? We
>have to make the people in maya Krishna conscious then they will not
>only accept, but they will relish Srila Prabhupada's books. But if we
>water-down the books to make them "acceptable" to the public and the
>feminists then the potency will be lost and they will no longer be
>relishable by the devotees either. It is like sweet-rice with sand in
>it. It's still sweet undoubtedly but how can you enjoy it mixed with
>sand?
>
>I pray that you will consider what I have
>written and write back, not like Jayadvaita, calling me
>"self-righteous and abusive". But an honest reply.
>
>Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
>
>Madhudvisa dasa
>

>X-From_: varnadi@iskcon.org Sat Apr 11 16:21:21 1998
>Return-path: <varnadi@iskcon.org>
>Envelope-to: krishna@lis.net.au
>Delivery-date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 16:21:21 +1000
>Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 02:21:10 -0400
>From: Varnadi das <varnadi@iskcon.org>
>Organization: The Complete Picture
>To: Madhudvisa dasa <krishna@lis.net.au>
>Subject: Re: Copyright Violations
>References: <1.5.4.16.19980411144239.375f24b4@lis.net.au>
>X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by berlin.atlantic.net
id CAA31768
>
>Cintamani Web Cartel
>A division of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
>
>Copyright and legal matters department
>
>
>April 11, 1998
>
>Dear Mr. Thompson,
>
>Thank you for your quick reply.
>
>> After failing to offer an explanaton for any of the changes to Srila
>> Prabhuapda's books on the book changes web page
>> <http://www.sudarsana.com/ISKCON/BookChanges> and after failing to
>> offer ANY reply whatsoever to our "Open Letter to the BBT"
>> <http://www.sudarsana.com/ISKCON/BookChanges/openlet.html> ISKCON are
>> now trying to close down the "Changes to Srila Prabhupada's Books"
>> website...
>
>I'm sorry, but you seem to have misunderstood.
>
>The Cintamani Web Cartel is a division of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
>International concerned with, among other things, copyright
>infringements on the Internet.
>
>We are not concerned with the possibly sensitive message of your Web
>site, we are only concerned with the fact that it seems that you have
>not received any prior permission of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
>International for using this copyrighted material.
>
>> Is it really too much to ask them why they are changing Srila
>> Prabhupada's books? Is it really unreasonable for us to expect them to
>> reply to such a question... Hare Krishna!
>
>This is irrelevant to the subject at hand.
>
>We again request you to please provide us with the following as soon as
>possible:
>
> · A confirmation of whether or not you had prior permission from us.
> · Any relevant documents showing that you had our permission.
> · The name and title of the person in your organization with whom we
> may discuss this.
> · Any further information you feel would be helpful in resolving this
> matter.
>
>We also like to remind you that publishing copyrighted material on your
>homepages without prior permission and/or linking to sites that do so
>violates point seven of the GeoCities homepage guidelines.
>
> http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/8403/bgcs.html
> http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/8403/pqpac.html
>
>As your pages are hosted by GeoCities, judging the above addresses, this
>may be of consequence to you.
>
>If you cannot provide us with the requested information within a
>reasonable time, we feel forced to contact the GeoCities administration
>about this matter and request the removal of the above accounts.
>
>Thank you for your kind cooperation.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Varnadi das
>Legal assistant
>Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International
>Cintamani Web Cartel
>P.O. Box 13657
>Gainesville FL 32604
>U.S.A.
>Tel/Fax: +1 (904) 418-0750
>
>