ISKCON “Original Manuscript” Scam

I am not sure if you are aware of this but ISKCON has a policy of “revising” Srila Prabhupada’s books. They are making unauthorized changes to Srila Prabhupada’s books.

For example now the Bhagavad-gita ISKCON distributes has thousands of unauthorized changes that in many cases significantly change the meaning of what Srila Prabhupada said in his original Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

ISKCON tries to justify some of the changes by going back to a transcript of Srila Prabhupada’s dictation of the book which they call the “original manuscript.”

This “original manuscript” is a great deception. This is not the “original manuscript” at all. That is only the first draft of the book. Srila Prabhupada worked extensively on this “first draft” with his editor Hayagriva Prabhu and the result is Srila Prabhupada’s “Complete Edition” of his Bhagavad-gita As It Is published by Macmillan in 1972.

Govinda dasi, in her very important letter below, gives personal eyewitness proof that Srila Prabhuapda spent a lot of time working with Hayagriva Prabhu, the principle editor of Srila Prabhupada’s books, to take his Bhagavad-gita As It Is from the first draft to the manuscript that was presented to Macmillan to print the book.

What was approved by Srila Prabhupada for printing was the blueprint of the book provided to him by Macmillan, not his first draft.

Srila Prabhupada was personally involved in all stages of writing, editing and printing his original Bhagavad-gita As It Is, he lectured from this book constantly from 1972 to 1977 and personally read the book in his leisure time. With the exception of a few obvious typographical errors he never authorized any changes to this book. He certainly never autorized anyone to “Revise and Enlarge” it.

If you look at your ISKCON Bhagavad-gita you will see it is now “The Revised and Enlarged” edition. This is not authorized by Srila Prabhupada.

This is the most important issue facing ISKCON. ISKCON is changing Srila Prabhupada’s books. No matter what happens we have to preserve and distribute the original teachings of Srila Prabhupada and the main source of these teachings is Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Please read the very important letter below from Govinda Dasi who was personally serving Srila Prabhupada while he was working with Hayagriva Prabhu on editing his Bhagavad-gita As It Is and go to:

www.BookChanges.com

To research this matter further.

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

Your servant

Madhudvisa dasa

Govinda dasi’s Letter

Dear Yashoda Dulal Prabhu,

Pamho. Yes, the bbt always gives that one worn-out example of cattle, and of course the other one, planet of the trees. Yes, those are typos, mistakes. They fail to mention the other four thousand and nine hundred and ninety eight changes they made!

And had these two errors been corrected, along with any misspelled words, etc. there would have been no cause for alarm–or for a million dollar lawsuit with… bbt defending the edited version–one which they lost in the courts. That court case is the only reason that now the world has an option to read Prabhupada’s original words. But the 5000 changes that were made, and changing the “writer’s voice” was unwarranted and factually criminal.

In a meeting at Honolulu temple some years back, Jayadvaita M. actually stated, “Oh, those (original) books were horrible!” Those “horrible” original books, filled with Srila Prabhupada’s divine mercy, made thousands of devotees in the ’70s. More books were distributed then than now.

It seems you believe the propaganda that Hayagriva was never around Prabhupada much, and there were many editors etc. What can I say? This is simply not true. I knew Hayagriva from the time I joined Prabhupada in San Francisco, January of 1967. Hayagriva was there, and was already editing the Gita, and spending hours every day with Srila Prabhupada going over every verse!

And later, just before the first Gita was printed, in late 1968, Hayagriva LIVED with us in Los Angeles. (I was Prabhupada’s secretary for the whole year of 1968 and part of 1969) Daily they would spend hours in Prabhupada’s room, going over every inch of the final edits. I am an eye witness to this.

At this time, I even did the cover drawing for the first MacMillan Gita (the purple one) with Prabhupada guiding me, literally over my shoulder, watching the drawing develop. The purple Gita cut out a lot of that meticulous work done by Srila Prabhupada and Hayagriva; Macmillan wanted to make it smaller. So they greatly edited Prabhupada’s manuscript, and he was unhappy with it, but accepted it as “a blind uncle.”

But as soon as he could, he printed his manuscript in total, the Original Gita, the one with Jadurany’s reddish battlefield picture on the cover. Srila Prabhupada was extremely happy with that Gita–he finally got his carefully nurtured manuscript into print! He was overjoyed!

The “Edited Edition”, with the blue battlefield cover, done by Parikshit das, with Krishna carrying a whip rather than his Panchajanya (conch) as directed by Srila Prabhupada, was done AFTER Srila Prabhupada’s departure from this world. Both the editing and the cover were done after his departure, yet they inserted his preface and signature of 1971–as if, with 5000 changes, it was the same book! How unethical!

Most of Prabhupada’s disciples did not even know this editing mischief was going on; they were grieving the loss of Srila Prabhupada from this world. Only later, when the dust had settled, did many of us learn of this travesty.

So I really do know what happened in those days. I even met with MacMillan in New York prior to the printing.

Jayadvaita M. had not even become a devotee in early 1967, so how would he know?? He says many things that are not in keeping with what really happened, since he was not there; perhaps he is relying on hearsay, I don’t know. Neither was Jayadvaita M. in Los Angeles in late 1968 when Hayagriva lived with us for weeks on end, completing the editing work. Most of what the bbt says in this regard is based on fairy tales, hearsay, and perhaps some personal ambition as well. I do not know how they can skew things in this way and still sleep at night.

But what I do know is that Srila Prabhupada wanted NO FURTHER CHANGES TO HIS BOOKS. HE EXPRESSED THIS ON MANY OCCASIONS. A little research can easily prove this point.

Now, you may enjoy reading many various literatures that are perhaps well written, even better written, and that is fine. But if you want to read Srila Prabhupada’s original words, gone over with a fine tooth comb by Srila Prabhupada and Hayagriva, then I suggest you read his original books. If you want to compare them, that’s fine too. But his original books must be available to the people who will come in the future of this Kali Yuga. And the changes must stop lest the original teachings be obliterated in the course of time.

Generally I avoid these political issues, as I feel most are fairly unimportant and always changing. However, this book issue is very very important. So important that Srila Prabhupada himself came to me in a darshan a few years back and told me to defend his original books. Frankly, I did not want to take this task, as it means stepping on people’s toes, but he insisted. He ordered me to speak out, so I must, in spite of being labeled and criticized.

Srila Prabhupada wants it known all over the world, and especially for future generations, that his original books are just as he intended them to be. They have his full shakti, full mercy, and are for all of mankind. If the changes continue, there will always be another editor who thinks he can improve this or that, and eventually the original meaningswill be lost.

You may appreciate the editing work, but Srila Prabhupada doesn’t. He didn’t appreciate the changes then, and he doesn’t appreciate it now. Our duty is to please our Guru, not our own sense of what sounds good or doesn’t sound good.

He made this clear so many times, yet they have chosen to ignore everything he said. Please understand, I don’t blame any one person, not even Jayadvaita M. It is the nature of the Kali Yuga to try to destroy that which is sacred and meant for the upliftment of mankind. That is how Maya works.

Srila Prabhupada often said “Krishna has written these books.” So tell me, how can a conditioned soul improve on what Krishna has said or written??

Your servant and sister,
Govinda devi dasi

69 thoughts on “ISKCON “Original Manuscript” Scam

  1. Hare Krishna .All glories to Srila Prabhupada

    Thanks fpr the information.

    I agree 100% about the danger (inmomrality)of these changes. They have kiked me out for speaking of about this and other aberrations of our GBC-guru unautorized sistem.

    Now my voice is very small but Y will keep telling every body to be aware.

    Your servant
    Rama Raghava dasa

    1. HARE KRSNA AND FULL DANDAVATS TO YOU MY DEAR FRIEND GOVINDA DASI WHOSE NAME SRILA PRABHUPADA HAS BLESSED IN THE HOLY PAGES OF SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM AS BRINGING TULASI DEVI TO AMERICA MAY YOU BE BLESSED AGAIN AND AGAIN KRSNA PREM IS OUR GOAL AND YOU HAVE MADE GURU AND KRSNA HAPPY. PRABHUPADA ONCE SAID IN FRONT OF ME IN NEW YORK IN 76 DURING CLASS.NOT EVEN ONE WORD OF MY BOOKS SHOULD BE CHANGED.NOT ONE WORD ,SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. OBEDIENCE IS SERVICE.NOT ARROGANCE OR THINKING WE KNOW BETTER.NO SPECULATION ISNT THAT ONE OF THE REGULATIVE PRINCIBLES . THANKYOU GOVINDA MAY YOU BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS WAR AGAINST MAYAS ATTEMPT TO CLOUD THE TRUTH.OF COURSE SRI NARASIMHADEVA KNOWS THE HEARTS OF ALL AND WHEN YOU WANT TRUTH YOU RECEIVE IT .SO CHEATER GETS CHEATER GURU, THOSE WHO WANT KRSNA WILL GET KRSNA, YOU CANNOT CHEAT GOD HE KNOWS YOU THROUGH AND THOUGH YOUR A PART OF HIM..ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA AND ALL GLORIES TO THE SINCERE SOULS WHO TRULY FOLLOW THE MESSAGE OF LORD CHAITANYAS MISSION HARINAM I TAKE FULL SHELTAR IN YOU JAYA SRI RADHE.RADHA DASI PURITY IS THE FORCE BOOKS ARE THE BASIS AND UTILITY THE PRINCIBLE AND LOVE THE KEY TO SRI KRSNAS HEART ,THOSE WHO LOVE OBEY.

  2. HARE KRSNA MADHUDVISA PRABHU
    I HAVE CARFULLY READ YOUR LETTER AND YES! I DO FULLY AGREE.
    PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP ??? I AM MOST WILLING TO HELP , ACTUALLY MY REALISATION IS THAT THOSE SO CALLED DEVOTEES THAT CHANGED THE WRITINGS HAVE NO FAITH IN THERE GURU , IF GURU IS AS GOOD AS GOD. HOW DARE YOU CHANGE EVEN ONE LETTER OF YOUR GURU , TO MISSLEAD A SOUL IN HIS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IS THE GREATEST BETRAL ONE CAN COMMIT AND IF JAYADVATA SWAMI HAS DONE THIS THEN PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR SAYING BUT HE IS A GREAT FOOL , VERY SAD , HOW PEOPLE IN POWER DO NOT HAVE PURITY OF HEART TO UNDERSTAND THE REAL HEART OF THERE GURU , BUT YOU SEE SIMPLE HEARTED GOVINDA DASI HOW SHE CAN UNDERSTAND , SHE GAS GOTTEN SOME SPECIAL MERCY FROM OUR BELOVED SRILA PRABHUPADA ,
    ANYWAY PLEASE YOU TELL ME PRABHUJI HOW CAN I HELP ?
    YOU MAY FOWARD MY LETTER TO GOVINDA DASI , SHE MAY WANT TO WRITE ME ,
    YOURS VERY GREATFULLY
    YOUR SERVANT
    JAGADISH PANDIT DAS

    1. Hare Krishna Prabhu

      What you can do is take Srila Prabhupada’s most prominent instruction to heart and act on it: “If you love me, distribute my books.”

      Now the original Prabhupada books are printed and available and being distributed by a few great souls only. What Prabhupada most wants is distributors for his original books. You probably already know how to distribute Prabhupada’s books so just purchase some cases of original Prabhupada books from:

      http://krishnastore.com/books-wholesale-om-21_37.html

      and distribute them. And make this distribution of Prabhupada’s original books your mission in life. It is amazing how much you can do if you just become dedicated to this simple mission of Srila Prabhupada.

      “Distribute Books, Distribute Books, Distribute Books…”

      Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

      Madhudvisa dasa

  3. Thank you Madhudvisa prabhu. It is nice to have the voice of yet another devotee on this matter. Please continue this great crusade. I will pass this on.

    How does one get copies of the original books with pictures for printing?

    YS,

    Bali das

  4. Hari Bol my dearest Madhudvisa Dasa, All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

    This home is graced with a 1972 Macmillan Co. 1st printing Gita. I was reading it while still a sophomore in high-school. I even graduated while living in an ISKCON temple. (A deal I made with my mother. I could live in a temple if I would finish high-school) After many years living in the Laguna Beach temple and distributing Prabhupadas literature, I found out the temple president and his goons were supplementing the temple treasury with drug money so I left the temple and ISKCON for good.

    However, throughout those many years, I was blessed to have gone up to the L.A. temple many, many times. Before the temple van loaded up to go to L.A. I would scour the neighborhood for rose petals. There were several occasions in which I was able to throw rose petals at the feet of Prabhupada on four consecutive visits. On the forth day, he looked at me and said; “You are a very nice boy.” I knew then that my soul was saved and my way back home to Godhead had been sealed.

    Unfortunately, my “home” at the temple would end soon after that for reasons mentioned already. I had little doubt that ISKCON and the BBT would become corrupt after Prabhupadas exit from this material world. There were power grabs going on even before he left us. I know Prabhupada tried to set up ISKCON so it would function spiritually after his departure but Maya’s power in this Kali-yuga is strong! All it takes is for a few “puffed up” leaders at the top to demolish all that has been done in love and devotion.

    I really want nothing to do with organized religion anymore. Specially in this age of ignorance and corruption. It always seems to turn into a political circus. Such a pity. I will chant Hare Krsna and read Prabhupada’s “original” works and be as happy as one can be having met his divine grace.

    My respect obeisances,

    Bhakta Mike

  5. Thanks prabhu for this information .I don’t know why this is happening in ISKCON. But editing should not be done to original teachings of Bhagavad Gita by Srila Prabhupada as no body can be as qualified to make edition with Bhagavad Gita as Srila Prabhupada has rightly said that these books are written by Krishna Himself.

    Even slight change with this limited knowledge can destroy the original meaning of Bhagavad Gita.

    Ur Humble servant
    Rajan

  6. It is wonderful that Mother Govinda has taken up this service. Her fortunate experiences regarding the original editing of Srila Prabhupada’s books are a joy to read about.

    I’ve talked to her about this in the past and she strongly feels that Hayagriva Prabhu did a wonderful job of letting what she called “author’s voice” come through as the manuscript was edited.

    Why would anyone want to improve on perfection? Would anyone think of editing Macbeth?

    Srila Prabhupada’s books are so much more of a treasure that we almost have to ask about the motives for anyone to make changes.

  7. Everyone-just enjoy the mood of Govinda dasi’s letter, and see how the mood of Srila Prabhupada’s movement is still alive. She only wants things to grow and fill the world with the chanting of Hare Krishna! Where is the problem? The potentcy of these original books is there. Proven by the results!!! Where is the need to change anything? A few spellings, etc., but not the text. “Idle hands are a devils’ workshop”. Could this be the problem with the editors? They need to stay busy but not making up work by changing the books. When was the last time they cooked an offering, went out to distribute, dressed the diety, hung out with their godbrothers laughing, and telling stories about Srila Prabhupada and their adventures in the Dham? Time for a break…..Hari Bol!

  8. Thank you this work. I’m Hungarien man and I believe we have to stop the changes by demons. With Bible it was the same story. Changes, changes and finally the “Bible” is not Bible is something else, another book…

  9. Hare Krishna Prabhu dandavats pranam.

    Thank you very much for sharing the information , yesterday we devotees at rasananda prabhus ( Srila Prabhupada diciple ) place were discussing the same topic about the ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT . And yes we all accept that this is a false statement to promote their modified Bhagavad-gita.

  10. I bought my Gita from the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). I was told on the phone that the deluxe edition was no longer being printed, but the hard-cover was the same. I looked–it’s the second edition revised and enlarged. No wonder I can’t read it as well as the public library copy–which is gone now….

    How can I get the edition that has not been tampered with? thank you for the information, lynn

  11. Jai shri Krishna!Sir,

    You got to protect the sacred teachings of the Srila Prabhupada on Bhagvad-Gita as it is the only hope for the mankind.Disseminate this msg as far as you can.

    Thanks for your e-mail.All the best!

  12. I was aware and have actually obtained an original version some time ago. It’s funny because I’ve always wanted that version, even before I had heard of “changes” to it, because it’s the one Prabhupada is always shown with. I’ve always felt like that was the ONE to have. Like it was the “teachers edition” that had all the right answers. Krsna blessed me with that version and I have been reading many books since. I am currently at 15 books and at this time I am reading the Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu. I feel I will be reading about Krsna for the rest of my life as so I can be prepared for the last moment and remember Him always. Thank You for everything you do and eternal blessings.

    Hare Krsna.
    Isaac

  13. Dear Friend,

    Thank you. I am generally aware of the situation in ISKCON and use only the 1972 version of the Gita. I am sorry that the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) is doing this. As a trustee of Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, it should have been more truthful and more honest. But the truth lives through the many devotees who are aware of the facts and will not just stand by and watch. The truth shall win at the end.

    Sincerely,
    Issa Sarras

  14. Hi there!
    I deliberately purchased a copy of Bhagavad gita As It Is edition published prior to any alterations being made
    I have adjusted the title to Bhagavad gita’ as it woz’. This is the only book i read on the subject of hare krsna…
    It is Prabhupada speaking to me personally on the subject of the ‘beautiful song of the lord’. I love it! [it is my #1 book]
    I have no interest in this ISKCON /controversy/book alteration business… It is not the same subject matter
    thankyou.
    Ben Bonnet

  15. Haribol

    being involved in writing and publishing in the past, I know that there will be many drafts before getting to a published version – to consider an early draft ‘original’ is plain silly – you overcome your own initial errors and then ‘approve’ the final draft for publishing – clearly the 1972 MacMillan version should be considered the accurate text version. I support your campaign. Niall McGrath

  16. Haribol Prabhu

    I am very grateful for this letter, and yes I’ve been very concerned about this issue, just today I was wondering if my BG was the original edition.

    My 1st Gita I bought from Kusakrata das after begging him to sell me his own personal copy, while he was distributing books in downtown San Diego in 1974, needless to say this Gita and his mercy turned me soon into a devotee. This copy was in my suitcase when stolen in Mexico City and I had to buy my present copy.

    I will check out the website and check into how I can raise awareness.

    your servant
    Yogananda das (SP Initiation – San Diego 1976)

  17. I AM SURE SRILA PRABUPADA’S BOOKS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOWLEDGE. I heard about Krsna 30 years ago and only for about 5 years I have read the books I bought in the past, in spite of the books always being with me.

    The translation made by Prabuphada considering the American people’s understanding is a correct translation considering Indian knowledge and different culture, country and people.

    Everybody in Brazil loves Srila Prabuphada our MASTER. We LOVE PRABUPHADA. The translations are very important. The books we may keep for the future of our people. Prabhupada is great.

    We have to defend ISKCON. If you need I can also do. Bye.

  18. Hare Krsna Madhudvisa prabhu,

    Thank you for the below detail regarding the “revising” of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is according to Swami Srila Prabhupada. Is there anything that we can do to stop this unathorized “revision”? Please advise. Thanks

    Jai Sri Krsna
    All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

    Chellam

  19. Dear Madhuvisa dasa,

    Thank you for your email that you sent to me. I am also concerned about these changes to the books of His Divine Grace. Recently, on connect.krishna.com, I answered another devotees inquiry about these changes. Although I am by no means an authority, I think that it is simple logic that Srila Prabhupada would never have authorized the MacMillan edition if it was not up to his very high standards. These were, in fact, the very books that His Divine Grace would teach from for many years all over the world. I can’t imaging the amount of time and energy that He and the editor put into the creation of the original ‘Bhagavad Gita, As It Is’ and to make the over 5,000 changes seems excessive to me, at the very least. I personally own a 1972 Complete Edition and use it to study from. If there was one thing I can be thankful for, it is that when I learned of these changes, it inspired me to get back into practicing and developing my attachment for Krishna even more. He does work in mysterious ways.

    Thank you kindly for writing to me and blessing me with your wisdom and guidance. Can you please recommend other sites or organizations (other than ISKCON) that I can associate with or obtain information from? I would be thankful for any suggestions.

    Your servant, student and ever-well wisher,

    Noah

  20. Pamho-agtsp

    Prabhu,YES I agree with you Iskcon insiders have become stale and blind sighted and stubborn as hell….God forbid the BBT or GBC /guru would ever admit THEIR Many-Mistakes (even editing unecessarly)

    Frustrating isnt it! Lets pray to Lord KRSNA, He is available! He is in control….meanwhile inform the masses.

    Take Care

    Your servant,
    Jaya Madhava Das(acbsp) Moscow Russia

  21. Hare Krishna, It is very serious matter, if changes are continue to be made from Srila Prabhupada book, then we all devotees will be deprived of real spiritual knowledge which is very very precious and have infinite value. Pls save books as it is original.

    Your Humble Servant
    Akhil Gupta

  22. Hare Krishna

    I personally think it is a great insult to rewrite Srila Prabhupada books. I want to know presently if there is anyone more pure than Srila Prabhupada to rewrite his books. It sound to me like a selfish fame. if this devotee is so advanced why doesn’t he translate some other books that Srila Prabhupada did not translate.

    Prabhupada made his contribution in Krishna Consciousness, now it takes greed and selfishness to take that away from Prabhupada. This so called advanced devotee should make his own contribution in Krishna Consciousness and leave Srila Prabhupada books alone.

    Hare Krishna and long live Shrila Prabhupada and his divine books.

    Nohar Singh

  23. Haribol Madhudvisa dasa,

    Hare Krishna- I do read your correspondence.

    This seems troubling, changing the meaning of the original writer’s intention is bad but this could also be a breach of the copyright law which could be a serious offence if not properly authorized.

    kapildeo loknath

  24. Dear Sir,

    Such revisions and interpolations are common, though not acceptable.
    What do you want me do? I shall be happy to discuss the matter.

    Dr Ramanujachary

  25. Hare Krishna, Shri Madhudvisa dasa ji,

    Thank you for sharing the important information. first, it’s realy bad news for Shrila Prabhupada’s lovers. i don’t know what kind of changes they are doing, positive changes or negative changes? if they mentain actual essence of Bhagwad Geeta, and no negative changes they do, and new one is more easy to understand by common-man, in my openion no need to worry. because, the aim of Bhagwad Geeta is bring every human to Lord Krishna that we become a true human- ‘a human with humanatic qualities’.

    and plz tell me, from where i can buy original Shrila Prabhupada’s written Bhagwad Geeta in Hindi, in delhi(India)?

    Thank you, 🙂
    Your student, Yuvraj.
    Hari Bol.

  26. Changing directions, even slightly, over time. will take you to a different destination. when asked in 1969 time magazines “year of the guru” issue about where all these other “gurus” were taking their disciples, Srila Prabhupada responded, “I cannot say, but know for a fact, you don’t want to go with them.” this valuable knowledge should be understood by all in ISKCON.

    this “in His Absence, we must do the needful” excuse satisfies no one. the exact reason Srila Prabhupada told His disciples to aviod His Godbrothers, “even a slight deviation can cause havoc”, has been demonstrated by this act of arrogant insubordination.

  27. lynn said:
    “I bought my Gita from the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). I was told on the phone that the deluxe edition was no longer being printed, but the hard-cover was the same. I looked–it’s the second edition revised and enlarged. No wonder I can’t read it as well as the public library copy–which is gone now…”

    response: in the early 1970′s, before the library party, individuals used to place them in libraries. lacking central structure, this must be our method of supplying libraries WORLDWIDE with these books. everyone must put a Gita, at least one, in their local library. (media mail ships for about $2 antwhere in US) then expand to the whole county, the whole state, so far as each is able. larger libraries need more than one copy. and do followup, make sure there are always copies available.

  28. Who is responsible for allowing J Isreal to destroy Srila Prabhupada’s literary legacy? Who gave him the authority and who is allowing and funding the changing of Srila Prabhupada’s books? He cannot be doing this by himself.

    ys
    Sri Mukunda dasa

  29. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master is one of the ten offenses that disqualifies one to make further advancement even while engaging in devotional practices as in the case of his lowliness Jaiadvaita Swami. Srila Prabhupada said not to change a word in his books, so Jaiadvaita and whoever follows are performing the greatest disservice by altering the most brlliant transcendentally perfect translation of Bhagavad Gita as it is. It is no wonder book distribution is not having the same affect as was before the the new editions. We might as well call it Bhagavad Gita as it isn’t, or wasn’t.
    The only remedy for this most heinous Guru aparada is for the BBT to stop printing and selling this version and for Jaiadvaita to publicly admit his arrogance and ignorance in destroying and erasing the ever fresh and eternal words of his exalted spiritual master A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. When this happens he can then humbly beg for forgiveness from his Divine Grace for his monumental offenses, for we know that Sri Krsna himself cannot pardon the offenses made to a pure devotee in the story of Durvasa Muni.
    I have personal experience of Jaiadvaita’s arrogance and harshness many years ago during a Srimad Bhagavatam class which he was giving, of coarse. After playing mrdunga to Jaya Radha Madhava he said to me in an demeaning way, “Who taught you to play mrdunga like that?” I was to embarrassed to answer but I was thinking I learned from listening to tapes of Srila Prabhupada, particularly one where Prabhupada teaches Gi ta ta, Gi ta ta, Gi ta ta, Gi ta. That was not enthusing to my small devotional creeper to say the least.
    On a last note , why is it whenever I see pictures of or remember Jaiadvaita Swami he always has his mouth open. Most of us breath through our noses. This is definitely a sign of a Vata imbalance. Kirtanam is the 2nd of 9 processes of devotional service after Sravanam, hearing. Why can’t he hear the words in Srila Prabhupada’s books before changing them? Because his mind is buzzy thinking how he can improve or make better. He cannot hear because he is already speaking.

  30. I am totally confused now. How to know whos speaking truth cuz Im born in 8os. Whom to believe?….really a tough situation!!!

    I can just pray to Srila Prabhupad and Sri krsna!!!

    1. Just read Prabhuapda’s original Gita Prabhu. That is not very complicated. It is the book he read from himself daily and gave all his classes from and, with the exception of requesting corrections to a couple of obvious typos, never gave anyone autorization to “Revise and Enlarge” his book. We know Prabhupada’s original gita is approved and authorized and potent. We know the current ISKCON Gita is not authorized or approved by Srila Prabhupada. So read the original Gita Prabhu.

      Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

      Madhudvisa dasa

  31. Hare Krsna

    I am a BG facilitator at Bhaktivedanta College in Durban South Africa, this is of the greatest state of emergency. Many devotees are enrolled in studing the BG, but it is the revised one and I dont think that this cuts mustard. Will definitely get original copy to regain our original state of KC. Madhudvisa and Govinda Dasi are like Hanuman and Vibhisana and all others are like the rest of the Lord’s army. I thank you very much.

  32. Dandavat pranams.

    All glories to your seva Madhudvisa prabhu. This book changing rascaldom must stop! How dare they undermine Srila Prabhupada like this!

    Hare Krsna Balgopal prabhu. I am in Durban too. I have about 20 copies of BG AS IT IS 1972 Macmillan on hand. I have access to 500 more which we imported and are in the process of distributing locally.

    Subal

  33. I was outraged when I found out. I feel betrayed and cheated by the current ISKCON… I had been sincerely reading and even trying to memorise what I was reading. I have helped distribute this ‘poisoned’ literature…

    I can think of a hundred motives as to why they are doing this, but these Maharajes, who are now doning the robes of sanyasis and passing themselves off as spiritual masters, teaching and giving adultrated, manipulated and misguided instructions to raw minds, pushing them away from the original, the ONLY Spiritual Master, don’t they understand the gravity of what they are doing to their own Karmas? don’t they realise the terrible crime of GURU APARADA they are committing… how will they ever atone for this?

    As a neophyte and most ordinary devotee of Krishna, with my limited knowledge of the shastras, I fear the sin of Vaishnava aparada, how can they not fear the repercussions of GURU APARADA???

  34. Hare Krishna Devotees,

    All what can we do is, save all Srila Prabupada original books in internet, libraries,at our home. It will be a great gift for future in this terrible Kali-yuga.

    Your Servant
    Naveen

  35. Dear Madhudvisa dasa prabhu,
    I want to buy the Bhagavad Gita As It Is original 1972 edition but I cannot buy it online.I would like to go to the store and buy it myself.I live in Pune,India.Can I get a copy at ISKCON Pune?Please reply as soon as possible.

      1. Madhudvisa dasa Prabhu,

        I ordered the 1972 edition from krishnastore.com. Is that the original book written by Prabhupada ?

  36. Dear Madhudvisa dasa prabhu,
    All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
    If we neglect the typographical errors,is the macmillan edition philosophically correct?Some disciples of Prabhupada such as Sankarshan Das Adhikari recommend the revised and enlarged edition.Please clear my doubts.

    1. Hare Krishna Sushant

      Yes, many ISKCON devotees, like the rascal you mention, would like to change the philosophy that Srila Prabhupada presents in his books, so they like the changed books, because they want to change Prabhupada’s books. The do not like Prabhupada’s books as they are.

      There are so many examples of such changes that you can see at http://www.BookChanges.com where ISKCON have changed the philosophy in Prabhupada’s books to something else because they do not like what Prabhupada preaches in his books. That is what the book changes are about. Changing the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.

      In Prabhupada’s original books you will find the actual teachings of Srila Prabhupada. These are the books personally read daily by Srila Prabhupada himself, books that are absolutely 100% authorized and approved of by Srila Prabhupada himself, the exact books that Srila Prabhupada gave all his classes from and heard read to him by devotees for many, many hours in recorded classes. In the new ‘revised and updated’ ISKCON books you will find so many unauthorized and very significant changes to the eternal, timeless and unchangeable philosophy of Krishna consciousness. These new changed ISKCON books are completely bogus, completely unauthorized and completely useless. Any devotee who supports the changing of Srila Prabhupada’s books is not only completely bogus, unauthorized and useless, he is a demon.

      Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

      Madhudvisa dasa

  37. In 1985, Srila Prabhupada came in a dream to complain about the changes to his books. He said: “Look what they are doing to my books,” and then quoted a Gita verse that I had not memorized.
    From reliable sources we have also heard that Sri Krishna has established a special hell for those who cross Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Let all be warned.

  38. The BBT calls its reedited Bhagavad-gita “revised and enlarged” to give their chop job an air of authenticity. Actually, the phrase “revised and enlarged” more correctly applies to the 1972 MacMillan edition, as per the following words spoken by Srila Prabhupada.

    In a conversation that took place on Dec. 24, 1969 Hayagriva informed Srila Prabhupada that the complete Bhagavad-gita manuscript with verses and purports was sitting in Columbus, Ohio.

    Srila Prabhupada: So we have to prepare for next publication, revised and enlarged, giving in the same process: original verse, transliteration, synonyms, and translation and purports.

    Notice the words “revised and enlarged” being used by Srila Prabhupada to refer to what would be the 1972 MacMillan printing. And then there is this:

    “Our first printing will be this, what is name? Nectar of Devotion. And then if possible, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, revised and enlarged.” (conversation of 12-24-69)

    The BBT readily admits there was no instructon to reedit the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Add to that Srila Prabhupada’s statement that “These books are qualified to be distributed unlimitedly,” and anyone who takes Srila Prabhupada’s words as sacrosanct will easily see there was no authorization to make wholesale changes to any of his published writings.

    Your servant,
    Locanananda dasa (ACBSP 1970)
    NYC

  39. Dear Govinda Devi Dasi

    To me this whole issue of changing Srila Prabhupada´s Books is simply chocking and I cannot imagine what kind of “Devotees” are being so bold to do such an offensive activity although Srila Prabhupada himself said that not even one comma can be changed in his books !

    A true Devotee and a disciple or a follower of Srila Prabhupada would never ever even dream about doing such a faulty activity. Don´t we understand that everything Srila Prabhupada did was a hundred percent under the controll and in perfect harmony with Lord Krishna ? This is the position of God and His pure Devotee and anybody who thinks that something is subject for their changes to improve the quality of his books, which where actually written by Lord Krishna Himself through Srila Prabhupada, should perhaps reconsider if they really are true, worthy and faithfull followers of Lord Krishna and this ISKCON movement which is soo dear to Srila Prabhupada himself !

    Fortunately Krishna is always under the controll of everyhing, and I pray from the depth of my heart that with the help of such sincere and bold Souls like Govinda Devi and others, all problems and miss conceptions will be very soon cleared out and put back on its proper places.

    y.s. Sunanda das

  40. ISKCON is a farce. Taking the public’s money and committing a plethora of sinful and illegal acts. I’ve had examples of:
    1) Homosexuals sheltering under the ISKCON banner
    2) Paedophiles being protected under the ISKCON umbrella
    3) “Respected ISKCON women” trafficking young girls for prostitution
    4) “Respected holy Brahmacharis” peddling drugs
    I flew to Kolkata and showed the photographic evidence to the most senior ISKCON official, north of the city (the wheelchair-bound American Sadhu). When I confronted him, he faked ill health and asked that the meeting be postponed. 8 months later, I’m still awaiting his invitation….THIS IS THE BIGGEST COVER UP OF THE CENTURY. It will exceed the secrecy of the Jim Jones Cult….be warned!!!!!

    1. Hare Krishna Joseph

      You are correct. ISKCON is such a scam. And yes it may well explode into something so nasty that people can not imagine. It is already so nasty that people can not imagine.

      Of all of ISKCON’s deviations and criminal and sinful activities the worst is the changes to Srila Prabhupada’s books. Prabhupada is living in his books and they are trying to kill him by changing his books…

      Chant Hare Krishna and be happy [and steer clear of ISKCON, they will mislead you for sure]

      Madhudvisa dasa

  41. Hare Krishna
    Though I am a new devotee of Iskon I came across your website . I would not like to read the Bhagavd Gita which has been altered please let me know if there is any distributor in Delhi from where I can buy the Gita as it is … I can’t buy the whole bunch don’t have enough money to do that … It would be great if you can help me thank you

    1. Hare Krishna Abhishek

      ISKCON BBT in Mumbai print Prabhupada’s original 1972 Complete Edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is as well as the new “Revised and Enlarged” edition. So you should be able to purchase this from ISKCON in Delhi. Or ISKCON BBT in Vrindavan if you are going there. But all ISKCON temples should be having both editions available for both the book distributors and for the public to purchase. That is the BBT policy. BBT policy is devotees are free to choose if they want to distribute Prabhupada’s original books of if they want to read and distribute the new, “improved”, updated, up-to-date, modern ISKCON editions.

      So you should be able to get Srila Prabhupada’s original 1972 Bhagavad-gita As It is from any ISKCON temple anywhere in the world and if they don’t have it you should make a big fuss about it and force them to get it. It is printed by the BBT and every ISKCON temple should now have it.

      Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

      Madhudvisa dasa

  42. Hare Krishna Prabhu ji
    I don’t have a credit card can pay by Debit card but there is no facility in you website that can help me to buy original Gita as it is … Can you send the book through VPP and I can pay the money to the postman …!!! Hare Krishna

      1. Hare Krishna Prabhuji,
        I am looking forward to buy pre-1978 Srimad Bhagawatam. As I stay in Mumbai, Juhu Temple is the option for me.Is BBT also making changes on Srimad Bhagwatam?

        Your servant,
        Tanay

  43. This is very good. Anyone who places the Bhagavad Gita As It Is in libraries is doing top service.

    Rasananda das, acbsp

  44. Dear Madhudvisa Prabhu,
    Please accept my humble obeisances.
    All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

    I would like to know from you whether Hayagriva Prabhu
    accepted the changes done to the Bhagavad gita As It Is by Jayadvaita swami.What was Hayagriva prabhu’s reaction on the changes?

    Your humble servant,
    Sushant.

    1. Hare Krishna Sushant

      No. Hayagriva Prabhu most definitely did not approve of the changed Jayadviata made to Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is!

      Hayagriva Prabhu was initially not against the proposal that JAS made to correct a few obvious errors which everyone knows are in the 1972 Gita. And Hayagriva assisted Jayadviata by helping him put the so-called ‘original manuscript’ together. But once the ‘New Revised and Enlarged’ edition of Prabhupada’s Gita was actually printed Hayagriva was horrified.

      He was living at New Vrindavan at the time and through Kirtananda Swami Hayagriva made very serious protests to the GBC and to Jayadviata Swami. But at the time he was not able to get the devotees to understand the extent of the changes that JAS had made to Prabhupada’s Gita.

      There is a letter from Kirtananda Swami complaining severely about the Gita changes but I do not currently have that letter.

      So Hayagriva Prabhu was horrified by what JAS did to Prabhupada’s Gita…

      Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

      Madhudvisa dasa

  45. Hare Krishna, Dandwats prabhus and matajis

    all glories to Sp and Gurudev

    i recently brought the original copy of Gita (macmillan)

    i was overwhelmed to see the difference.

    i am preaching in Dehradun India and many people here prefer Gita in Hindi.

    Is Macmillan Gita available in Hindi?

    If not then i would like to work on a project to get Macmillan gita translated in Hindi.

    Please guide me

    your servant

    1. Hare Krishna Prabhu

      Prabhupada’s original books are in English and English is the official language of India. So if one wants to read Prabhupada’s original books he has to read them in English. As soon as it is translated it is not Prabhupada’s original books.

      The translations are good and essential of course, but a translation will never be Prabhupada’s original book.

      Of course all translations should be translations of Prabhupada’s original books…

      And that will naturally happen if the printing and distribution of the bogus changed books stops.

      As far as Hindi there was a translation of Prabhupada’s original Gita already made in Prabhupada’s presence in Hindi. You could just find that one and reprint it. It does not need to be translated again…

      But a translation will never be perfect, it will never be the original book. If you want to read Prabhupada’s original books you have to read them in English…

      Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

      Madhudvisa dasa

  46. Hare Krishna ,

    The original Macmillan printed edition of Bhagavad Gita , also had many wonderful pictures (paintings )
    depicting The blessed lord Krishna and the Lords Dear friend Arjuna ,with charming faces , insightful expressive fine detail ,and vivid trascendental colors
    Such pictures were like and still are like windows thru to the spiritual world .
    These original pictures ( paintings ) were personally inspired and directed by Srila Prabhupada , himself ,and was a great labour of love on the part of the artists who worked tirelessly day and night week after week moneth after month to bring them forwards for use in the Bhagavad Gita ..

    Personally i think its very offenseive and very disrespectful as well to the artists who devoted so much time and energy as a personal service (seva )to Prabhupada and everyone else who may be lucky enough to have a copy of the Bhagavd Gita , to have all their pictures (paintings ) removed without any good reason .
    Qunestion ,what exactly was wrong with plates
    2, 3 ,4 ,5 ,6 ,7 ,12 ,13 ,15 ,16 ,17 .?
    Some of the pcitures (paintings ) at least Imho , may have needed some updating plates 8 , 9 , 11 , 14 , 19 .
    but the above mentioned plates were very nice exstatic and showed a very beautiful view of the Blessed Lords beauty and a higher plane of reality , Vaikuntha .even if it was on earth ,
    Instead all these wqonderful and vivid pictures have been replaced with a duller version of what seems to be a deliberate intentional and conformist , aritistic style of expression , that are much duller and lifeless , lacking detail and color and brightness ,or trascendentally , real , in comparsion to the wonderfully devotionally ,rich , original pictures ( paintings ) that have all been removed , from the current BBtinc editions .I leave it to the discretion of the reader to look into this and compare it for yourself .
    According to Srila Rupa Goswami the first essentual point in Spiritual Culture is to offer people , convey a higher taste in Krishna consciousness , thru , as Prabhupada coined the phrase a cultural revolution . a part of that is art . trascendental art , that is to say before trying to impress , the points to follow rules and regulations .These original pictures ( paintings ) offer such a higher taste ,glimpse , interest and nicity of Krishna beauty etc.Whereas the current editions have less opulent , or nice pictures to showcase the Blessed Lord . The simplicty and beauty and bright and effulgent colors of the original are replaced with dull and lifeless and lack lustre pictures without fine detail etc …Please can we have the blessed lord Form back , thanks , re installed in the Books ,As it is ,as they were, and as they are in the original still ..As its as if the Deity (pictures, Paintings ) and been disrespectfully removed , As the Lord was seated there in his picture form , wihout any good reason.
    Just as some disiples once wanted to throw some small Deities in the Water to replace them with big ones , as Prabhupada said at times change, change ,chamge is the disease of western mindset.

    this offense and disrectful attitude of removing them is not very gentleman like and should be remedied , ys

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