10/30/97 - 1148

Opposition To Bhagavad-gita Changes Growing

USA (VNN) - The controversy surrounding the new edition of "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada published by the BBT was recently featured on VNN (story# 09/13/97-1024). Opposition to these changes made by the BBT in this new edition is taking on a more formal and possibly legal dimension with the petition drive below, which is circulated amongst devotees.

(start letter)
Dear Prabhus, 10/30/97

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Please print out and circulate the below petition, and send it back to us by mail to our temporary mail address: T. Lee, POB 34421, Los Angeles CA 90034. (E-mails will not be very useful, please send us original signatures.) For your information, there will be three levels of involvement in this case: 1) The two undersigned who are launching the case; 2) The persons who will be willing to testify in court, and; 3) Those who would like to simply sign the bottom petition. Please ask concerned devotees, hindus, scholars and others to sign this for us. We'd also like to know if anyone whould like to help us with legal costs or in other ways. Thanks,

NEWS RELEASE

On October 15, 1997, Joseph Y. Langevin and Nathan Zakheim, through their Attorney, issued a letter of demand to the Bhaktivedanta Book Publishing, Inc, and the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust-International, Inc. demanding that the publishers of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's [a.k.a, Srila Prabhupada's] books "cease and desist," within thirty days, from publishing and distributing any adulterated version of the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (the famous literary classic of India). The demand is with regards to an unfiled lawsuit for violation of Civil Code Section 1770 and Business and Professions Code Section 17200. The demand letter from Attorney Joseph Fedorowsky of the Oxford Law Firm, states in particular: "Demand is hereby made that the BBTP, Inc., voluntarily refrain from publishing, printing or otherwise marketing posthumously edited editions of the books of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as if those editions were His original works. This DEMAND specifically includes the title 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is.'"

The "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" is the world famous commentary of Swami Prabhupada on the celebrated and ancient literary classic. Srila Prabhupada had many times instructed his disciples and followers never to change his original first edition books. Following His departure, in November of 1977, the GBC [Governing Body Commission] of ISKCON [International Society for Krishna Consciousness] permitted these unauthorized changes through their editors. However, Srila Prabhupada several times pleaded that His original books should not be changed:

"We cannot water down the philosophy to make it more palatable. Our books must remain as they are." (Srila Prabhupada letter, March 31, 1977)

"One cannot change the words of the authority. If you believe in Lord Jesus Christ [in our case Srila Prabhupada] you cannot change to your convenience." (Srila Prabhupada lecture, May 8, 1973)

According to the orthodox tradition of Vedic culture it is strictly prohibited for a disciple to change the words of his predecessor Guru.

"God's words cannot be changed, Sastra (scripture) is never changed. And the sadhu (a saintly person). Sadhu means one who follows the sastras. He is sadhu. He also does not change." (Srila Prabhupada lecture, November 30, 1976)

And what is the result of these unauthorized changes? "If you concoct 'I am more intelligent than my Guru,' 'I can make additions and alterations,' then you are finished." (Srila Prabhupada lecture, July 12, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada often explained that His Books are the basis of the whole spiritual movement he had established. He said "Books are the basis." With the unauthorized changes to Srila Prabhupada's books, the whole basis of His movement is being changed. Anyone who has purchased the adulterated version of the "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" may be entitled to compensation.

If you wish to take part in this historic endeavor to help reestablish Srila Prabhupada's original basis and original first edition books, you can help by signing the attached petition. Please give us a phone number or a contact by which we can reach you. Thank you for your help. Jaya Srila Prabhupada.

Yours in Srila Prabhupada's service,
Joseph Y. Langevin [Yasoda nandan dasa]
Nathan Zakheim [Nara Narayan Visvakarma dasa]

We, the undersigned, hereby object to the posthumous editing of changes that have been made to the books and writings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada by Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc., Bhaktivedanta Publishing, Inc., and others. The undersigned hereby demand that Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc., Bhaktivedanta Publishing, Inc., and others cease publishing, printing or otherwise marketing the posthumously edited editions of the books and writings of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.