No Manuscript - No Problems!

[Guest guest]

The new BBT book changes web page informs us that the transcripts for the last six chapters of Srila Prabhupada's dictation of "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" were lost "sometime before 1972." Most editors would have some difficulty in editing a book to "make it closer to the original" if they did not have the original to work from! But it's no problem for our BBT editors! They still managed to make hundreds of changes in these six chapters without any original material from Srila Prabhupada to work from at all. It appears to be all their own work. It seems they had NOTHING to work from except Srila Prabhupada's original unabridged "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" and the final version of the manuscript that was used by the typesetters to produce the book [which must be practically identical to the printed book.].

 

"'Original manuscripts' means different things... for the last chapters it refers to the old retyped manuscripts from which the 1972 Macmillan edition was produced. The 'retyped manuscripts' for the last six chapters were copied from original transcriptions on which much editing had already been done. The typist followed the edited version, adding what the editor had added and deleting what he had deleted. Sometime before 1972, the original transcriptions themselves were apparently lost. (This loss is why the revisions in the last six chapters of the Second Edition are particularly light.)" [Jayadvaita Swami from his BBT book changes web page]

 

A few examples of the changes that appear to have been produced out of the minds of the BBT editors only are given below [there are SO many more]:

 

 

 

Without Humility Understanding is Harmful?

BG 13.8 Original Version

 

Revised & Enlarged Version

...If anyone wants to compete with God and at the same time make advancement in spiritual knowledge, he will be frustrated. It is clearly stated that without humility understanding is harmful. To think oneself God is most puffed up. Although the living entity is always being kicked by the stringent laws of material nature, still he thinks, "I am God" because of ignorance. One should be humble and know that he is subordinate to the Supreme Lord. ...If anyone wants to compete with God and at the same time make advancement in spiritual knowledge, he will be frustrated. It is clearly stated that without humility understanding is not truely possible. To think oneself God is most puffed up. Although the living entity is always being kicked by the stringent laws of material nature, still he thinks, "I am God" because of ignorance. The beginning of knowledge, therefore, is amanitva, humility. One should be humble and know that he is subordinate to the Supreme Lord.

Acting in Goodness Leads to Knowledge?

BG 14.6 Original Version

 

Revised & Enlarged Version

O sinless one, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode develop knowledge, but they become conditioned by the concept of happiness. O sinless one, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness.

Acting in Goodness Purifies One?

BG 14.6 Original Version

 

Revised & Enlarged Version

By acting in the mode of goodness, one becomes purified. Works done in the mode of passion result in distress, and actions performed in the mode of ignorance result in foolishness. The result of pious action is pure and is said to be in the mode of goodness. But action done in the mode of passion result in misery, and actions performed in the mode of ignorance results in foolishness.

Material Existence is Suffering Only?

BG 13.29 Original Version

 

Revised & Enlarged Version

The living entity, by accepting his material existence as just so much suffering, can become situated in his spiritual existence. The living entity, by accepting his material existence, has become situated differently than in his spiritual existence.

The Soft Line for Ksatriyas

BG 16.1 Original Version

 

Revised & Enlarged Version

The word tejas used here is meant for the ksatriyas. The ksatriyas should always be very strong to be able to give protection to the weak. They should not pose themselves as nonviolent. If violence is required, they must exhibit it. The word tejas used here is meant for the ksatriyas. The ksatriyas should always be very strong to be able to give protection to the weak. They should not pose themselves as nonviolent. If violence is required, they must exhibit it. But a person who is able to curb down his enemy may under certain conditions show forgiveness. He may excuse minor offenses.

Brahmacaris Are Austere and Simple?

BG 16.1 Original Version

 

Revised & Enlarged Version

Then svadhyaya, Vedic study, and tapas, austerity, and arjavam, gentleness or simplicity, are meant for brahmacarya or student life. Brahmacaris should have no connection with women; they should live a life of celibacy and engage the mind in the study of Vedic literature for cultivation of spiritual knowledge. This is called svadhyaya. Then svadhyaya, Vedic study is meant for brahmacarya or student life. Brahmacaris should have no connection with women; they should live a life of celibacy and engage the mind in the study of Vedic literature for cultivation of spiritual knowledge. This is called svadhyaya.

Devotees Should Live Simply?

BG 16.1 Original Version

 

Revised & Enlarged Version

As far as simplicity is concerned, not only should a particular order of life follow this principle, but every member, be he in the brahmacari asrama, or grhastha asrama, or vanaprastha asrama or sannyasa asrama. One must live very simply. As far as the brahminical quality of simplicity is concerned, not only should a particular order of life follow this principle, but every member, be he in the brahmacari asrama, grhastha asrama, or vanaprastha asrama or sannyasa asrama. One should be very simple and straightforward.

 

 

There are SO many other changes also in the last six chapters of the "Revised and Enlarged" version of Bhagavad-gita. They seem to have all come from the minds of the BBT editors as they admit there is no transcript to work from.

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

 

Your servant, Madhudvisa dasa.