Not completely original scripts found on prabhupadabooks.com‘s Caitanya Caritamrta
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.Till now, it was known that there is no website which contains 100% Srila Prabhupada’s original books.
The well known prabhupadabooks.com site is used by many devotees for referencing original books, but some of their scripts have the second edition copies like the Srimad Bhagavatam (1976+), Isopanisad (1974), Teachings of Lord Caitanya (1974) etc.
Many devotees still refer to the site for other books, which should be as per the first edition ones.
But here in its Caitanya Caritamrta we find that it is not completely original.
For example, the purport in this verse (9.261, Madhya Lila) below contains a translation of 1976 Canto 1(1.1.2) whereas the original 1975 edition contains a translation of the 1972 edition.
It is unknown when this revision in the Caitanya Caritamrta took place and also why the original books websites display only partially original books.
It is therefore a matter of concern now to find a perfect source for complete original works.
Below is just a small example out of many that can be found on that site written to it containing some revised translations in between.
To read all original books as they are, please click here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1nHm72gVwAeei95WDkSLf2aw5x-jRXDoF
Content of original first print scan of the purport:(Read the book in pdf here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yXvTD5Xvk2EkayazT48SUI4bVZnIAnIo/view?usp=sharing)
Changed version on prabhupadabooks.com:
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/madhya/9/261
dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ
vedyaṁ vāstavam atra vastu śiva-daṁ tāpa-trayonmūlanam
śrīmad-bhāgavate mahā-muni-kṛte kiṁ vā parair īśvaraḥ
sadyo hṛdy avarudhyate ‘tra kṛtibhiḥ śuśrūṣubhis tat-kṣaṇāt
“Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Śrī Vyāsadeva, is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.” This verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam rejects as cheating processes all religious activities that aim at achieving materialistic goals, including dharma, artha, kāma and even mokṣa, or liberation.
According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, the material conception of success (mokṣa, or liberation) is desired by those in material existence. Devotees, however, not being situated in material existence, have no desire for liberation.
Srila Prabhupada has given 5 lectures on the first translation of 1.1.2 of Srimad Bhagavatam. There was no need to change it in 1976.
Yes, there is no need for corrections for the first and second Cantos. Whatever is there is alright. Once Pradyumna comes to join me here from India, then there will be no need for Nitai das or Jagannatha das to edit the Srimad-Bhagavatam. (Letter to Radhavallabha, May 4, 1976)
What are the changes in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.2?
LHS: SB 1972 , RHS : SB 1976
| t | 1 | Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated,this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Śrī Vyāsadeva, is sufficient in itself for God realization. As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, he becomes attached to the Supreme Lord. | t | 1 | Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyāsadeva [in his maturity], is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart. |
Now the question is that if the CC was published in 1975, why have they taken a translation from the 1976 unapproved edition?
With that being said, it is now necessary to build a website that contains all first edition books with fully correct and accurate transcripts.
Srila Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. You have no right. Suppose I have written one book. So I have got some intention. So why should you interpret my intention with your intention? What right you have got? You have no right. If you want to speak something of yours, then you write another book. Why you are taking advantage of my book and misleading others?
I want to speak to the public something, I have expressed my opinion in that way. But because it is popular, you are taking advantage of my book and expressing your views. How much cheating, how much cheater you are! Therefore he is suffering, Dr. Radhakrishnan. He has lost his brain. We went to see him, Dr. Radhakrishnan, when I was in Madras.
(Room Conversation – April 2, 1972, Sydney Australia)
Svarūpa Dāmodara: Oh, yes. They change so many things in our article. And it was on the telephone. I was speaking to him in Atlanta from Los Angeles. And I told him that “This article should not be printed because they have made so many changes.” And I didn’t like that. Then they answered that “It has already been offset, and BBT policy is always to be rushing. It’s always BBT policy.” Then I told him that “If you sacrifice quality on the strength of rushing, then it is your business, but that’s not my way, so please don’t print it.” But in any case, they have printed anyway that article. And we all had a bad reaction.
Prabhupāda: So you bring this to Satsvarūpa. They cannot change anything.
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Prabhupada: The rascal editors, they are doing havoc.
Yasoda-nandana: Sometimes they appeal that “We can make better English,” so they change like that, just like in the case of Isopanisad. There are over a hundred changes. So where is the need? Your words are sufficient. The potency is there. When they change, it is something else.
Svarupa Damodara: That’s actually a very dangerous mentality.
Yasoda-nandana: What is it going to be in five years? It’s going to be a different book.
Prabhupada: So you… What you are going… It is very serious situation. You write one letter that “Why you have made so many changes?” And whom to write? Who will care? All rascals are there. Write to Satsvarupa that “This is the position. They are doing anything and everything at their whim.” The next printing should be again to the original way.
Tamala Krsna: They should have a board of Satsvarupa and Jayadvaita.
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Those two men are both in Los Angeles now.
Prabhupada: So write them immediately that . “The rascal editors, they are doing havoc, and they are being maintained by Ramesvara and party.”
(S.P.Conversation, “Rascal Editors,”June 22, 1977, Vrndavana)
Regarding Sri Isopanisad changes:
Yaśodā-nandana: In the Gurukula we were teaching Īśopaniṣad class to the children. So we took… [break] …Prabhupāda and the words which the recent edition of the Press is wrong. Many changes were brought. They were trying to make better English, but sometimes, to make better English, I think they were making philosophical mistakes also. There is no so much need of making so much better English. Your English is sufficient. It is very clear, very simple. We have caught over 125 changes. They’re changing so many things. We are wondering if this is necessary. I will show you today. I have kept the book.
Srila Prabhupāda: I know that these rascals are doing. What can be done? How they can be relied on? (Rascal editors conversation ,June 22,1977, Vrindavan)]
“There is a verse in Srimad-Bhagavatam that a book or poetry in which the Holy Name of Krishna is depicted, such language is revolutionary in the matter of purifying the material atmosphere. Even though such literature is presented in broken language or grammatical inconsistency or rhetorical irregularity , still, those who are saintly persons adore such literature. They hear such literature, and chant it and adore it, simply because the Supreme Lord is being glorified in this literature. In other words, we are not meant for presenting any literary masterpieces , but we have to inform people that there is a fire of maya which is burning the very vitality of all living entities, and they should guard against the indefatigable onslaught of material existence. That should be our motto.”
(Letter to: Krsna dasa – Los Angeles 13 Feb, 1969)” Our literature is not sentimental stories. It is meant to be understood by the intelligent class of men. Children and those with child-like mentalities will do better to chant “Hare Krishna” and take prasadam. We cannot water down the philosophy to make it more palatable. Our books must remain as they are. Do not waste your time anymore with such attempts. We are not going to publish it. Whatever books we have got, let them try to understand, and if they cannot then let them chant “Hare Krishna” and take prasadam. Hoping this finds you and your husband well.”(Letter to Lilavati — Bombay 31 March, 1977)
You may title this book, Teachings of Lord Kapila, but it must be subtitled, “The Son of Devahuti”. That will remain, do not try to change it . The Americans may like it or not like it, but we must make the distinction between devahuti putra kapila, and the atheistic Kapila . Do not try to change anything without my permission.”
(Letter to Radhavallabha, Aug 26, 1976)
” He should not think his authority mistake. He’s such irresponsible man. He should not be given any responsible work. Our first business should see how he is advanced in devotion. scholars. ” (Room Conversation — February 27, 1977, Mayapura)