Only uttama-adhikari maha-bhagavata Vaisnava can be diksa-guru

Sri Guru Tattva and the Secret of Diksa
by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

Rajen Babu: Isn't the kanistha-adhikari qualified to give initiation into the
mantra?

Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada:  Where is the kanishtha-adhikari coming from?
Who gave him the adhikara? A kanishtha-adhikari can never become a guru.

Rajen Babu: Can a madhyama-adhikari give diksa?

Prabhupada: He can only perform the initial duties of diksa. It is the
uttama-adhikari maha-bhagavata Vaisnava who is actually the diksa-guru. 

Make sure you are reading Srila Prabhupada's original books

The “Revised and Enlarged” edition of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is distributed by today's ISKCON is very different from Srila Prabhupada’s original Gita. Jayadvaita Swami, who radically changed ISKCON's Gita in the early 80's without any authorization from Srila Prabhupada, says in a note in the Revised & Enlarged edition (1983 printing):
“…the Sanskrit editors where by now accomplished scholars. And now they were able to see their way through perplexities in the manuscript by consulting the same Sanskrit commentaries Srila Prabhupada consulted when writing Bhagavad-gita As It Is.”

The BBT editors may think they are very great scholars, qualified to go back to the original scriptures and “correct” Srila Prabhupada’s translations… But Srila Prabhupada didn’t have so much faith in his “Sanskrit Scholar” disciples…

“…a little learning is dangerous, especially for the Westerners. I am practically seeing that as soon as they begin to learn a little Sanskrit immediately they feel that they have become more than their guru and then the policy is kill guru and be killed himself.” (Srila Prabhupada letter to Dixit das on 18 Sep 1976)

There are some typographical errors in the 1972 printing and if Jayadvaita had simply corrected the obvious typos no one would have been at all concerned.

The problem is Jayadvaita did not just correct typographical errors. He has also changed so many things. There are thousands of changes which are completely unnecessary, change for the sake of change. Most of the changes make no improvement to the book whatsoever. However these changes alter whole “feel” and style of the book and devotees do not like the new “style.”

Among his more than 5,000 changes to Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is there are many major changes to the meaning of the text in the original book amid thousands of petty changes which apparently do not change the meaning…

There are hundreds of changes that completely alter the meaning of what Srila Prabhupada says in the original book including many that change philosophical points Srila Prabhupada personally confirmed while giving his classes and hearing his original Bhagavad-gita As It Is read by devotees…

To give some idea of the changes we have collected 108 of them. This is by no means a complete list. There are hundreds more similar changes that COMPLETELY alter the meaning of the text in Srila Prabhupada’s book, but these 108 changes will give us a small insight as to how different the current ISKCON Bhagavad-gita is from Srila Prabhupada’s original Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

I guarantee if you take a little time to carefully go through this paper you will be surprised and shocked to see than the GBC could allow such meddling with Srila Prabhupada’s books…

These 108 changes are only a few examples we have selected to illustrate the fact that ISKCON's current “Revised and Enlarged” Bhagavad-gita, in many cases, presents a completely different message from the one presented in Srila Prabhupada’s original Gita. It’s NOT, NOT, NOT at all the same message one gets by reading Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is! It’s a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BOOK to Srila Prabhupada's original Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Srila Prabhupada completely approved his original Bhagavad-gita As It Is , he read it himself daily and gave all of his classes from it. He certainly did not give ANYONE the AUTHORITY to “revise and enlarge” it.

ISKCON have never explained why they have produced a “Bhagavad-gita” which contains hundreds of changes that COMPLETELY alter the meaning of the book when compared to the original version Srila Prabhupada personally read from daily, gave all his classes from and did not ask anyone to “revise and enlarge.” ISKCON’s book is completely different from Srila Prabhuapda’s Gita. There is no authority for all these changes? Srila Prabhupada gave no authority for these changes whatsoever…

Please do not reply to this email, I will not receive it. Instead if you have questions or comments you can post them at:

http://bookchanges.com/108-iskcon-bhagavad-gita-changes/



Please study the following which simply presents the text from Srila Prabhupada's original Bhagavad-gita As It Is followed by the corresponding changed text from ISKCON's "revised and enlarged" Gita. Words displayed in red have been deleted and words in green have been added into ISKCON's changed Gita.

Bg 2.8 P ORIGINAL:

…they can achieve real happiness only if they consult Krsna, or the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam–which constitute the science of Krsna–or the bona fide representative of Krsna, the man in Krsna consciousness.

Bg 2.8 P REVISED & ENLARGED:

…they can achieve real happiness only if they consult Krsna, or the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam–which constitute the science of Krsna–through the bona fide representative of Krsna, the man in Krsna consciousness.

(1) It’s only one word changed, but what a difference! In Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita we can understand Krsna by reading the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, after all the books are not different from Krsna!! This is no longer possible, according to ISKCON's current Gita.

Bg 2.18 P ORIGINAL:

…The body itself is unimportant. Arjuna was advised to fight and to sacrifice the material body for the cause of religion.

Bg 2.18 P REVISED & ENLARGED:

…The body itself is unimportant. Arjuna was advised to fight and not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations.

(2) Arjuna WAS advised by Krsna to “sacrifice the material body for the cause of religion…” But one would never know that by reading the current ISKCON version. This is typical of Jayadvaita's word juggling. He uses many of the same words as in the original book but moves them around to get a completely different meaning…

Bg 2.25 T ORIGINAL:

It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable, immutable and unchangeable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.

Bg 2.25 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.

(3) One would never know the soul is unchangeable by reading they current ISKCON Gita… They concept that the soul is unchangeable has been deleted...

Bg 2.30 T ORIGINAL:

O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body is eternal and can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any creature.

Bg 2.30 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any living being.

(4) If one removes “is eternal” [perhaps by studying the original sanskrit to "correct" Srila Prabhupada's translation] it is NOT the same thing as the book Srila Prabhupada personally read from daily and gave all his classes from. Is it? Why didn’t Jayadvaita Swami listen to Srila Prabhupada’s classes?

“O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body is eternal and can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any creature.”

Prabhupada: Dehi nityam avadhyo ‘yam dehe sarvasya bharata. Dehe, dehe means body, within the body. This topic began, dehino ‘smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara. Deha, dehi. Dehi means one who possesses the body. Just like guni. Asthate in prata. The grammatical. Guna, in, deha, in, in prata. Dehin sabda. So the nominative case of dehin sabda is dehi. Dehi nityam, eternal. In so many ways, Krsna has explained. Nityam, eternal. Indestructible, immutable. It does not take birth, it does not die, it is always, constantly the same. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire. In this way, again he says nityam, eternal. (730831BG.LON)

Here Srila Prabhupada very clearly stresses that 'nityam' means eternal. But Jayadvaita has “intelligently” removed “eternal” form the current ISKCON translation of this verse!

Bg 2.31 P ORIGINAL:

…Discharging one’s specific duty in any field of action in accordance with varnasrama-dharma serves to elevate one to a higher status of life.

Bg 2.31 P REVISED & ENLARGED:

…Discharging one’s specific duty in any field of action in accordance with the orders of higher authorities serves to elevate one to a higher status of life.

(5) Why bother with varnasrama-dharma? How can one make spiritual advancement by following varnasrama-dharma? No. One has to surrender to the ISKCON authorities…

Bg 2.40 P ORIGINAL:

If someone gives up self-gratificatory pursuits and works in Krsna consciousness and then falls down on account of not completing his work, what loss is there on his part?

Bg 2.40 P REVISED & ENLARGED:

If someone gives up his occupational duties and works in Krsna consciousness and then falls down on account of not completing his work, what loss is there on his part?

(6) Is it really the same thing to give up “self-gratificartory pursuits” and to give up “occupational duties?”

Bg 2.48 T ORIGINAL:

Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga.

Bg 2.48 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.

(7) Just see! We get absolutely no hint at all from the current ISKCON translation that a devotee is “steadfast in yoga” or a devotee has any “evenness of mind.” However, when Tamala Krsna read the verse to Srila Prabhupada in 1968 (681216BG.LA) Prabhupada had this to say:

Tamala Krsna: “Be steadfast in your duty, O Arjuna, and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga.”

Prabhupada: This is the explanation of yoga, evenness of mind. Yoga-samatvam ucyate. If you work for Krsna, then there is no cause of lamentation or jubilation. Jubilation is there because you are working for Krsna, but there is no cause of lamentation. Yoga-sthah kuru karmani, yogah karmasu kausalam. That is the secret of activities, how you can very diligently work at the same time you are not entangled with the actions. That is the secret. Go on.

Srila Prabhupada very clearly accepts the translation As It Is!!! He does not say “It’s wrong! Please get Jayadvaita Swami to change it…”

Not only does Srila Prabhupada accept the translation As It Is, he says “This is the explanation of yoga, evenness of mind.” And Jayadvaita Swami has completely deleted it!!!

Bg 2.49 T ORIGINAL:

O Dhananjaya, rid yourself of all fruitive activities by devotional service, and surrender fully to that consciousness. Those who want to enjoy the fruits of their work are misers.

Bg 2.49 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

O Dhananjaya, keep all abominable activities far distant by devotional service, and in that consciousness surrender unto the Lord. Those who want to enjoy the fruits of their work are misers.

(8) This is completely different. The original is all about giving up fruitive activities, it means activities that we perform because we desire to enjoy the fruits or the results of those activities. A devotee only performs activities for the pleasure of Krishna. He never performs any activities because he wants to himself enjoy the results of them. This is the concept of ridding ourselves of all frutitve activities.  Here the emphasis has been taken off “freeing oneself from all fruitive activities.” Also the the meaning of surrender has been changed… Anyhow it’s very different from the translation clearly accepted by Srila Prabhupada in his physical presence.

Bg 2.51 T ORIGINAL:

The wise, engaged in devotional service take refuge in the Lord, and free themselves from the cycle of birth and death by renouncing the fruits of action in the material world. In this way they can attain that state beyond all miseries.

Bg 2.51 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

By thus engaging in devotional service to the Lord, great sages or devotees free themselves from the results of work in the material world. In this way they become free from the cycle of birth and death and attain the state beyond all miseries [by going back to Godhead].

(9) Krishna! It’s difficult to work out what Jayadvaita is trying to do here! The original translation is so perfectly clear and obvious. After reading it there’s no doubt what it says… “The wise, engaged in devotional service take refuge in the Lord and free themselves from the cycle of birth and death by renouncing the fruits of action in the material world. In this way they can attain that state beyond all miseries.” What’s wrong with that? It’s perfect! When we read Jayadvaita’s translation it’s not at all clear… And the meaning is completely different from the one personally approved by Srila Prabhupada!

Here Jayadvaita Swami has again covered up the point that devotees renounce the fruits of action. He doesn’t seem to like this point and often obscures it, but it’s a basic cornerstone of Krsna Consciousness… Whatever fruits our actions produce are not ours! They’re Krsna’s and should be used in Krsna’s service. That’s renouncing the fruits of our actions, we don’t enjoy them ourselves, we use them for Krsna’s enjoyment…

So what did Srila Prabhupada think about the original translation? Did he ask Jayadvaita to change it?

Tamala Krsna: “The wise, engaged in devotional service, take refuge in the Lord and free themselves from the cycle of birth and death by renouncing the fruits of action in the material world.”

Prabhupada: Yes. There is purport?

Tamala Krsna: No. There’s a little more to that sloka.

Prabhupada: All right. Finish.

Tamala Krsna: “In this way they can attain that state beyond all miseries.”

Prabhupada: Read it again.

Tamala Krsna: “The wise, engaged in devotional service, take refuge in the Lord and free themselves from the cycle of birth and death by renouncing the fruits of action in the material world. In this way they can attain that state beyond all miseries.”

Prabhupada: How easy it is. You take to Krsna consciousness, you act in Krsna consciousness, you overcome the cycle of birth and death. And as soon as you overcome the cycle of birth and death, you overcome all miseries. Because birth and death means this material body. The living entity, spirit soul, has no birth and death. And anyone who possesses this material body has to undergo the threefold miseries of the material world. A similar passage is there in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The other day, as I was speaking to you, nunam pramattah kurute vikarma. All these people, they are acting in a way which they ought not to have done. Nunam pramattah. But they are acting as madmen. Why? Yad indriya-pritaya, for satisfaction of the senses. Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti na sadhu manye. This is not good. Because he does not know that he has achieved this material body by working in that way in his previous life. Again he is working in that way. So he’ll have to accept again this material body, therefore he’s miser. He’s not properly utilizing. Go on.

So it’s obvious Srila Prabhupada approved of, accepted and fully authorized the original translation! He had Tamala Krsna read it and agreed, “Yes, there is purport?” Then he had Tamala read it again, “How easy it is…” There is absolutely no hint Srila Prabhupada even considered anyone would dare to change the translation he personally heard twice here and completely agreed with and approved of…

Bg 2.57 T ORIGINAL:

He who is without attachment, who does not rejoice when he obtains good, nor lament when he obtains evil, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.

Bg 2.57 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.

(10) Here the principle of being without attachment is completely removed from Jayadvaita’s translation. Of course he may say he has some secret manuscript he has got this information from or he may have studied the Sanskrit and by his great learning in the Sanskrit language decided there was no attachment in the original Sanskrit. But where did he get the authority from to retranslate this verse?

Bg 2.61 P ORIGINAL:

The Yoga-sutra also prescribes meditation on Visnu, and not meditation on the void. The so-called yogis who meditate on something which is not the Visnu form simply waste their time in a vain search after some phantasmagoria. We have to be Krsna conscious–devoted to the Personality of Godhead. This is the aim of the real yoga.

Bg 2.61 P REVISED & ENLARGED:

The Yoga-sutra also prescribes meditation on Visnu, and not meditation on the void. The so-called yogis who meditate on something which is not on the Visnu platform simply waste their time in a vain search after some phantasmagoria. We have to be Krsna conscious–devoted to the Personality of Godhead. This is the aim of the real yoga.

(11) Just see how he works! He has not even deleted any words at all here! He has just added in “on” and “plat” and see the effect it has! The original says anyone who meditates on something other than the Visnu form is wasting his time, but Jayadvaita has to adjust this as what about the impersonalists? They meditate on the impersonal form, etc… Surely they’re not wasting their time?? So has to change Srila Prabhupada’s purport…

Bg 2.66 T ORIGINAL:

One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor a steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?

Bg 2.66 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Krsna consciousness] can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?

(12) “A controlled mind…” In the original we can clearly see there’s no possibility of peace and happiness without a controlled mind, but in Jayadvaita’s translation the mind control has become a “steady mind?” He has also made it very confusing. The meaning is no where near as clear as the original. Who said Jayadvaita was making “better English?” He’s making bewildering English!

Tamala Krsna: 66: “One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace, and how can there be any happiness without peace?”

Prabhupada: Everyone in this material world, they are after peace, but they don’t want to control the senses. It is not possible. Just like you are diseased, and doctor says that “You take this medicine, you take this diet,” but you cannot control. You are taking anything you like, against the instruction of the physician. Then how you can be cured? Similarly, we want cure of the chaotic condition of this material world, we want peace and prosperity, but we are not ready to control the senses. We do not know how to control the senses. We do not know the real yogic principle of controlling the senses. So there is no possibility of peace. Kutah santir ayuktasya. The exact word is there in the Bhagavad-gita. If you are not engaged in Krsna consciousness, there is no possibility of peace. Artificially, you may try for it. It is not possible. Go on. (681219BG.LA)

Just see! Srila Prabhupada heard this verse personally and immediately he is preaching on the point of sense control! Where does he say “Get Jayadvaita Swami to delete mind control from the translation?” No. He does not say that. He preaches on sense control!

Bg 3.3 T ORIGINAL:

The Blessed Lord said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already explained that there are two classes of men who realize the self. Some are inclined to understand Him by empirical, philosophical speculation, and others are inclined to know Him by devotional work.

Bg 3.3 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already explained that there are two classes of men who try to realize the self. Some are inclined to understand it by empirical, philosophical speculation, and others by devotional service.

(12) Just a few of Jayadvaita Swami’s little “corrections…”

Bg 3.6 T ORIGINAL:

One who restrains the senses and organs of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.

Bg 3.6 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.

Bg 3.7 T ORIGINAL:

On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior.

Bg 3.7 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Krsna consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior.

(13 & 14) This is one of the most amazing changes. Jayadvaita has removed or changed ALL the main points in the original verse! The original clearly says one who CONTROLS his senses by the mind and ENGAGES in works of devotion is by far superior… After reading all of Srila Prabhupada’s other books and hearing his classes one would expect to find this in Srila Prabhuapda’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Jayadvaita’s version is a little different… He’s much more generous. According to him if a “sincere person” TRIES to control the senses and BEGINS karma-yoga [in Krsna consciousness] he is by far superior! One does not even have to control his senses, just “try to”, and he does not even have to be engaged in devotional service, he just has to “begin karma-yoga…” We can note [according to Jayadvaita] one does not even have to make any advancement in karma-yoga, if he just begins karma-yoga and TRIES to control his senses he is by far superior!!

So is there any hint Srila Prabhupada wanted Jayadvaita to make these changes to this verse? Is there any hint Srila Prabhupada was not satisfied with the original translation?

Sudama: Verse number seven: “On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion without attachment is by far superior.”

Prabhupada: Yes. Instead of artificially trying to meditate and control the senses, just engage your senses in the activities of Krsna consciousness and gradually you will be happy. Your senses will be controlled. Go on. (681223BG.LA)

Srila Prabhupada clearly hears the original translation has no objections to it whatsoever! Rather Srila Prabhupada completely agrees with the original translation and EMPHASISES the very points Jayadvaita has DELETED in his translation!! Srila Prabhupada emphasises engaging the senses in Krishna consciousness and thus controlling them. But there’s no hint in Jayadvaita’s translation of engaging the senses in devotional service [just "beginning karma-yoga"??] and there’s no mention of controlling them either [just TRYING to control the senses...]

Bg 3.8 T ORIGINAL:

Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. One cannot even maintain his physical body without work.

Bg 3.8 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one’s physical body without work.

(15) This is interesting. Another little “correction.” But Srila Prabhupada heard the original verse many times and never requested that it be “corrected…”

“Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work.”

Prabhupada: Krsna never said that “You sit down, lazy.” You must work. And that is intelligence, how to engage a person in some work. That requires governing body. That is intelligence. They should be ready to work, and your intelligence will engage them. And there is sufficient. Why you are constructing so many centers? There is enough work to do. Just like here. All people are coming, and each one can be preached, each one can be convinced of the philosophy. (770121r2.bhu)

There is no indication anywhere that Srila Prabhupada was not satisfied with the original translation AS IT IS…

Bg 3.9 T ORIGINAL:

Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.

Bg 3.9 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.

(16) Why has Jayadvaita removed the fact one who always performs his prescribed duties for Krishna remains unattached?

Did Prabhuapda request this change? Was he unhappy with the original translation??

Sudama: Verse number nine: “Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform prescribed duties for His satisfaction and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.”

Prabhupada: Yes. Bondage means working for one’s own account. The same example. Just like a soldier is fighting for the country under the command of the commander in chief. The more he’s killing, he’s getting promotion, he’s getting medals. But the same man, when he comes back at home, if he kills one man, he’s hanged. Why? Because that killing and this killing is not the same thing. So one who cannot engage himself cent percent in Krsna consciousness, let him remain in his own position and try to sacrifice for Visnu or Krsna as far as possible. (681223BG.LA)

Once again, no hint anywhere that Srila Prabhupada was not happy with the original translation…

Bg 3.20 T ORIGINAL:

Even Kings like Janaka and others attained the perfectional stage by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.

Bg 3.20 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

Kings such as Janaka attained perfection solely by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.

(17) A few little edits…

Bg 3.20 P ORIGINAL:

…because he was the king of Mithila… he had to teach his subjects how to fight righteously in battle. He and his subjects fought to teach people in general that violence is also necessary in a situation where good arguments fail.

Bg 3.20 P REVISED & ENLARGED:

…because he was the king of Mithila… he had to teach his subjects how to perform prescribed duties. Lord Krsna and Arjuna, the Lord’s eternal friend, had no need to fight in the Battle of Kuruksetra, but they fought to teach people in general that violence is also necessary in a situation where good arguments fail.

(18) Interesting…

Bg 3.32 T ORIGINAL:

But those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not practice them regularly, are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, befooled, and doomed to ignorance and bondage.

Bg 3.32 T REVISED & ENLARGED:

But those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not follow them, are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, befooled, and ruined in their endeavors for perfection.

(19) So Jayadvaita has made it a little different. But did Prabhuapda ask for the change? NO! He PERSONALLY quoted the original verse AS IT IS!!

Tamala Krsna: Thirty-two: “But those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not practice them regularly are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, befooled, and doomed to ignorance and bondage.”

Prabhupada: Yes. If somebody says, “Oh, why shall I serve God?” all right, then you shall have to serve dog. That’s all. Therefore he is befooled. He does not know that he has to serve somebody. His constitutional position is like that. He cannot escape. So therefore if he denies to serve God, Krsna, then he has to serve maya, illusion, in the hope that “I have become the master.”

Just like in your country the President Johnson was the master. Actually, he was not the master; he was the servant of the country. Now the country has dismissed him. He is no longer master. So our mastership in this material world is like that. Actually, we are servant, but we are thinking master. In a family, I am servant of my wife, I am servant of my children, I am servant of my servants, but I am thinking I am master. “I am master of this family. I am master of this country. I am master of this society.” Nobody is master.

The Caitanya-caritamrta says, therefore, “The master is only Krsna.” Ekale isvara krsna ara saba bhrtya: “Only Krsna, or God, is master, and everyone is servant.” Yare yaiche nacaya se taiche kare nrtya: “Each servant is dancing according to the order of the Supreme.” That’s all. Nobody is master. So this false conception of becoming master is called maya, illusion. Nobody is master. Therefore one who disagrees to become servant of God, he is befooled. It is said, “But those who, out of envy…” He is constitutionally servant, but he is envious: “Why shall I become God’s servant? I shall become God.” You see? Everyone is claiming, “Oh, everyone is God. Why? What is the use of becoming servant of God? I am God.” This is enviousness. So if one refuses to serve God and become envious, “disregard these teachings and do not practice them regularly are to be considered bereft of all knowledge.” Because he is servant, but he is thinking, “I am master. I am not serving anyone.” This is maya, bereft of all knowledge. Go on.

Where is the hint Srila Prabhupada wanted Jayadvaita to changed the translation he heard from Tamala Krsna and then even quotes himself in his explanation? There is no AUTHORITY from Srila Prabhupada to change this verse at all. Srila Prabhupada clearly accepts the original translation AS IT IS…

Srila Prabhupada's Original 1972 Bhagavad-gita As It Is is available at:

http://krishnastore.com/books-srila-prabhupada-om-21_38.html

and you can purchase cases at the wholesale price at:

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Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

Madhudvisa dasa.

Follow The Supreme, Not the Material Senses

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda


We would be known to have advanced well in our theistic aspirations for that fullest form, if only the awful and majestic attributes other than all-blissful or all-ecstatic beauty were taken out from that One Integer. So when we approach Śrī Kṛṣṇa we find that all sorts of aspects are fully in Him and we can offer all sorts of confidential service to Him with our transcendental and eternal body. We can offer ourselves with all the closest intimacy to Him in all ways.

We must not think that restricting ourselves in a particular aspect only would entail a quarrel with someone else dealing with some other school of thought or philosophy or some other religious controversies; there can be little scope for that since our whole-time attention, one hundred percent, should be devoted to Him and His Counter-Whole. This is the general outline of the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya’s teachings.

Lord Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the combined personality of the predominating and predominated moieties of the Absolute. We individual souls are endowed with a mixed aptitude. Our consciousness possesses a twofold potentiality. It is cognizant of the material categories and it is open to the influence of the spiritual as distinguished from the mundane.

Lord Caitanya is our only support and the source of our animation. He is the only object of our worship. As a matter of fact, every activity of ours owes its possibility and existence to His initiative and works as a corollary of His activities. Lord Caitanya displays the pastime of seeking Himself. All through His manifestation He is found most anxiously devoted to the exclusive quest of the Absolute Godhead, His predominating moiety – namely Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

We, His eternal protégés, are conditioned to follow His lead in this matter. If we do so, we shall be doing the right thing and will obtain knowledge of the realm of the Absolute. We shall no longer have to remain penned within the narrow material scope of three dimensions. But we are hampered by our mixed aptitude. We have the option of meddling with the material as well as the spiritual.

As soon as we indulge this mixed aptitude by mistaking it to be our real function, we are obstructed by the process. We find ourselves forthwith subjected more or less to the handicaps of insurmountable disqualifications. These disqualifications have been analyzed and classified into four groups. They are the liabilities of (1) blunder, (2) inadvertence, (3) deception and (4) grossness of the senses. These are very serious defects. They make it impossible for us to obtain even a glimpse of the transcendental. Hence there arises the imperative necessity of seeking the help of those who are free from those defects.

Our present sense-function does not give us any knowledge of the whole Truth. On the contrary it always keeps us away from the Full, the Eternal, the Blissful. We are prevented from all access to uninterrupted existence, uninterrupted knowledge and uninterrupted bliss. These constitute the reality to be gained by the exercise of our present facilities. We obtain instead the so-called knowledge of the things of this world. We perceive only matter. We can imagine the condition of material negation, but neither of these is the reality proper.

We cannot avoid the consideration of distinctions. But it is not possible to entertain any proposition regarding distinctive entities except under the operation of the fourfold defects mentioned above. It is, however, incumbent on us to try to be perfectly free from those defects. The method based on sense-experience is useless for this end. It can never free us from those defects.

Those who live on the resources of the mind express themselves in language. The vocabulary used by them is more or less defective and mutually conflicting. The experience of the moment is different from true experience. We try to gain admission in the realm of true experience. We desire to make progress in such experience. It is our purpose thereby to gain the love of the Real Entity. This is the supreme goal.

My books will do everything!!

"After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything."  SPC (BBT 1991) Room Conversation 18/02/76

"There is no need by any of my disciples to read any books besides my
books - in fact, such reading may be detrimental to their advancement
in Krishna Consciousness. All reading of outside books, except in certain authorised cases such as for example to read some philosopher like Plato to make an essay comparing his philosophy with Krishna's philosophy - but otherwise all such outside reading should be stopped immediately. It is simply another botheration. If my students cannot even read my own books thoroughly, why they should read others? I have given you TLC, what need is there to read Caitanya Caritamrta translated by someone else. You are right to stop such reading." SPL (VI 1987) Govinda das 20/01/70

"I have instructed everything in my books." SPL (VI 1987) Dina Dayala das 25/02/76

"Please continue reading my books seriously and everything will be
revealed to you."  SPL (VI 1987) Babhru and Satyaki 18/09/75

"Whatever is to be learned of the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura can be learned from our books. There is no need whatsoever for any outside instruction."  SPL (VI 1987) Gurukrpa Maharaja 25/12/75

"So utilise whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered."  SPL (VI 1987) Upendra 07/01/76

"If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect."  SPL (VI 1987) Hugo Salemon 22/11/74

"Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice, in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered."  SPL (VI 1987) Randhira 24/01/70

"In my books the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop. [...] You may please me the most by reading the books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time."  SPL (VI 1987) Brahmarupa das 22/11/74

"Everyone can become a first class speaker. Simply cram the purports of my books. The references are there, the philosophy is there. Everything is there."  SPL (VI 1987) Gopijanavallabha das 19/09/74

Devotee: "Srila Prabhupada when you're not present with us, how is it
possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may
arise..."
Srila Prabhupada: "Well the questions are answ... answers are there in my books."  SPC (BBT 1991) Los Angeles 13/05/73

Srila Prabhupada: "Even a moments association with a pure devotee -
all success!"

Revitananda: "Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes"
Revitananda: "Even a little association with your books has the same effect?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it."

SPC (BBT 1991) Room Conversation 13/12/70

Paramahamsa: "My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on
Bhagavad Gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes. You can associate with Krsna by reading Bhagavad-Gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?"
SPC (BBT 1991) Paris 11/06/74

"There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter."  SPC (BBT 1991) Vrndavan 17/05/77

"If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way."  BTG (BBT 1977) December 1977

Srila Prabhupada: "So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in my books. That's all."
Indian Man (2): "Personally, we think more greater."
Srila Prabhupada: "That's all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books."
SPC (BBT 1991) Toronto 07/08/75

Prabhupadanugas Farm Fiji Report

REVIEW  # 35

July 6, 2014.  Adventures in New Jaipur, Prabhupadanuga Farm in Fiji

RICE FIELDS

After some lengthy breakdowns including track motor repairs (the details would be a chapter out of the book, The Wondrous Bliss of Maintaining Big Kali Yuga Machinery), our excavator has returned to work in the field- the rice field. Normally this area, a very fertile section of the property, is very muddy and boggy, but at present we are experiencing hardly any rain for the last two months. This has been good for our work of forming up a number of rice blocks or paddies, and they are now nine in number. They are each a fraction of an acre because the lay of the land is slightly sloped, and each paddy needs to be level for flooding, so they are terraced, in effect. The paddy borders are lined with a low earthen dike to hold the water, which will come from wet season rains, watershed runoff, or free-flowing water piped down from the adjacent stream. By use of cutoff valves, overflows, and drains we can flood whichever blocks that will be planted. After a week back on the job, our excavator operator was bitten by a dog in town and another week went by with no further progress.

Our first rice venture last year was hand-broadcast on an unflooded two acres, but the yield was quite meager, about 100 kilos only. It is expected that the flooded rice system will produce at least double the yield of dryland planting. Of course, our strict standard of no chemicals for fertilizer, insecticide, or herbicide results in “homestead” yields rather than the artificial commercial yields that are now widely sought after. Only natural agricultural methods are applied in New Jaipur. Our workers have a blank look on their faces as I explain for the twelfth time that modern chemical agriculture is unhealthy for both the body and the soul, umm, I mean, soil.

Jaypal from the nearby Indian settlement came by to give advice, as his family has been growing flooded rice for several generations, relying on bullocks for shallow plowing. Following an eyeball leveling, we use stakes, string, and a line level for final leveling touchups. Each year the rice stalks and weeds will be plowed under to fertilize the next crop. We could also add other organic material such as beach debris (seaweed/ mangrove leaves) or kitchen compost.

Our schedule is to plant our first flooded rice crops when the wet season starts around October-November. Seedlings are sprouted on a dry bed, and transplanted directly into the flooded paddy when they are a foot high. Bhakta Benjamin has sourced from India a manual rice thresher and rice huller (as well as a manual oil press)- see www.thomaseximp.com/rice. The alternative to “manual” machines is dependency on tractor, diesel fuel, and a modern civilization to provide them.

We hope to make another six floodable rice paddies in another area of the farm, below where the cottages are being built. These would possibly be used by residents who wanted to grow their own rice, if we can obtain the thresher and huller in time and we hire Jaypal’s bullocks for plowing. The ideal of a family and friends all pitching in together in the rice field to grow their own grain for the next year or more, as often spoken of by Srila Prabhupada, is an exciting proximate reality! Of course, for countless millions the world over this is already a normal part of their lives, but for us western, technocratic, and accustomed-to-artificial-living type of people, it IS exciting.

NEWSBITS

After more than a year of processing our order for six Guernsey calves to be imported from New Zealand, after the animals had been chosen, tested, quarantined, and were ready for their flight, Fiji Biosecurity suddenly stopped indefinitely all animal imports from New Zealand. Due to the appearance in NZ of a

​tick-borne disease, our order was dead and cancelled indefinitely. Next we moved quickly to import our A2 Guernsey calves from Victoria, Australia, which was approved by Biosecurity. After choosing calves from a primary Guernsey dairy and making import arrangements, Australia was also restricted. It seems that animals are not being allowed into Fiji now from anywhere in the world. It has been a very frustrating experience, but we cannot become discouraged. We are determined to start our Vedic village with first-class cows and not the local beef animals that give watery, A1, and very low butterfat milk. The quality of these local cows’ milk is worse than buffalo milk, hardly real cow milk at all.
Meanwhile, back at the farm, we are getting fresh “milk” from Jaypal, who is milking beef cows- from which it took 4 liters to make a handful of curd (the milk is so thin). Not ideal, but at least fresh and pure. So now what? We are not yet sure what Plan F will be…

We have cut our local labor force in less than half, as most of the big projects are complete. We intend now to focus more on maintenance, planting, and hopefully, writing. Recently we did some concrete repairs to the water reservoir and made some divisional fences in our 12 acre batiki grass pasture of beach coconuts. There are now 3 smaller paddocks for rotational grazing, which is a much more efficient manner of utilizing pastures. Cows can waste a lot of good pasture by roaming over a large area. Fence repairs were also undertaken. This is all additional preparation for that future day when the cows finally come home (to us). When, oh when, will that day be ours….?

The French beans in the garden did not produce hardly at all, neither the mung beans, due to the lack of rainfall. It hasn’t been this dry in a long time; only a couple small rains in at least a month. As such, we spend up to an hour every day watering our new garden. I just pulled most of the scrawny beans to make room for Chinese cabbage transplants. The peanuts are doing well, though, and we have a row of sweet corn. Bak choy, mustard, radish, tomatoes, long beans are all coming in, doing well aas long as we keep them watered. We have a gravity flow pipe rigged to deliver water from a pool in the adjacent stream which is always fed by springs in the hills above.

We have a constant year-round supply of cassava and dalo (taro), water cress, lemons and limes, bananas and papayas, and in winter there are pidgeon peas and a few strawberries. The transition to self-sufficiency is underway, slowly but surely. We are expanding the number of eggplant bushes, which produce continuously for years. Finally on July 4, we got some rain in the night.

  A large dongo mangrove tree fell across the river, just missing our boat and boatshed. It is good firewood though, and we received an order from a fellow near town. The workers had to spend a few weeks digging out clumps of nasty weeds 8 feet tall from all the pastures and also cut vines, ferns, and other weeds down by machete. I have been finding any chance I can get to go prune the fruit trees, especially the citrus, which tend to develop drooping shapes and vertical sucker branches. It is a very pleasant time for me as I move around and under the lemons and limes with my handsaw, pruners, and heavy rubber gloves, shaping the future fruit supply of New Jaipur. It is very satisfying to engage in the noblest profession on Krishna’s behalf.

COTTAGES

Our Indian crew of three from town, headed by Rohit, have finished the blockwork on all six cottages and have started on the first roof. This cottage is reserved for Bhakta Benjamin with wife Anika and boys Tibo and Jaro; he has secured his choice of cottage and homestead with a handsome donation, having planted some small soursop and other fruit trees on his lot during his recent visit. He has ocean and pasture views, being a few minute walk down from the main lodge and temple building. Bhakta Ben looks forward to his initiation by Srila Prabhupada when he arrives in New Jaipur early next year.



COOPERATION

When I wrote in VVR #34 about whether to reform ISKCON or rebuild Prabhupada’s mission in one or more new organizations, I worried a bit that it would be a controversial topic, but hoped to evoke some positive discussions on the topic of increased cooperation amongst the scattered Prabhupadanugas worldwide. Quite a few devotees replied with their thoughts, and this leads to the continued exploration of the subject. It seems many have become uninterested or hopeless, not knowing what to do, and unable to do it even if they had an idea of how to serve Prabhupada’s mission… a sad state of affairs.

Yasodanandan Prabhu, president of Hare Krishna Society, was sympathetic to the idea of somehow re-organizing a cohesive organization of worldwide rtviks, and listed some impediments to this lofty ideal.

Considerable immaturity, infighting, and philosophical deviations in the name of rtviks/ Prabhupadanugas.
Many so-called rtviks do not follow the basic principles and devotional standards set up by Srila Prabhupada.
Bangalore Group has an organized format by which Prabhupada’s mission is growing in India and elsewhere, but there is the uncertainty of participation by many sympathizers due to the ISKCON lawsuit, causing them to wait and see the results.
He also noted that the Hare Krishna Society since 2001 has offered association and identity for those interested to affiliate, provided they were serious and sincere about following Srila Prabhupada.

Actually, unless a devotee IS following the basic principles and standards of Krishna consciousness, that person should be timid about expressing their views, arguments, debate, or chastisements to other devotees. Without following, how one can speak? The internet allows anyone to espouse their opinions, and there is quite a lot of worthless junk in cyberspace by would-be know-it-alls and by those who posture as devotees with advanced realizations. Perhaps before anyone begins their rant or lecture, it would be most useful to let readers know whether they are really following the basic principles of Krishna consciousness or not. Why? Simply because without this essential feature, that person is by definition in illusion, and what he says will also be accordingly defective.

So- the correct understanding is that the cooperation between Prabhupada’s followers that everyone wonders why it is missing, can best be enhanced simply by our following the four regulative principles, chanting our minimum 16 rounds daily, taking only food properly offered to Krishna, rising early for a morning program either at the temple or our home, no idle sports (such as watching maya movies, taking idle vacations, listening to mundane music or TV, etc…), and also, very importantly, being constructively engaged in the service of Prabhupada’s mission. Someone who is earning income and not using it or giving it for Prabhupada’s service, is a miser, and is not cooperating with Prabhupada, what to speak of with his followers. That’s a good start…

After that, lack of cooperation often stems from conflicting personal motives while we are serving Prabhupada. How often have we seen Prabhupada emphasize that we must achieve PURE devotional service, without fruitive motives, mental speculation, and aspirations to mystic powers? Karma, jnana, and yoga… these things will impede our cooperation. Mature and strictly following devotees who have given up personal ambition and desire for profit, adoration, and distinction- they are the best cooperators because they have a common objective- to please Srila Prabhupada.

RECAP

New Jaipur is a Prabhupadanuga project on a 857 acre fully titled, fully paid-for farm by the ocean in Fiji. The South Pacific is a very auspicious and pleasant location on this planet, and Fiji was visited by Srila Prabhupada. The basic development has been completed. A 2 story large lodge and guest house includes also the initial temple room and a small Prabhupada museum. The farm is fertile and a small river about 7 km long runs through a valley with high ridges on both sides. Pastures, orchards, water reservoir, future temple site, rice paddies, gardens, farm roads, a dock on the river for our boat, cleared agricultural fields, water cress patch, and six cottages- these are surrounded by virgin tropical rainforest with no snakes or other dangerous creatures. We are offering a cottage and land to devotees who wish to live simply and cultivate higher standards of Krishna consciousness. One person, one farm at a time- Prabhupada intends to respiritualize humanity through Vedic villages. A visit to see Fiji and New Jaipur is highly recommended so that a determination can be made on this proposition. Direct flights to Fiji come from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore. It appears that modern civilization, increasingly artificial in so many ways, may not continue to function in its century-long, easy-money ways much longer. Srila Prabhupada’s farms are the future of the planet…

WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT

I first reserved our web domain in 1997, and finally we have the great pleasure to announce our website. It is not fully completed, but since it is taking so long to finish, and it has much essential material, with project information and photos, please take a look at our life and humble attempt to please Srila Prabhupada in the Fiji Islands. Feedback welcome! Help us with links on other sites!

NEW JAIPUR FIJI WEBSITE:       www.vedicvillage.org


QUOTES

►740602mw.gen                Conversations                364211/530501
Prabhupada: Wasteful, yes. Therefore I say they have no brain. All, they are rascals. Rascal leaders. A little labor in agriculture will be sufficient to produce the family's food stock for the whole year. You can stock. You work only three months, and you get sufficient food for your whole family. And less nine months, you chant Hare Krsna. But these rascals will not do that. They will work hard like ass simply for eating. Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti. They will not accept easy life.

►750403mw.may               Conversations
There are so many land. Come here and grow food. Grow fruit. That is... That is the desire of Krsna. Annad bhavanti bhutani.Produce food and eat in sufficiently, be strong, and chant Hare Krsna. That is our philosophy. Why you are producing bolts and nuts, tire and tubes? Eat. Rascal. They do not know that first of all you must eat. No, everyone is engaged in industry. Why? Krsna does not say that "Take to industry." Krsna says, "Produce foodstuff." Annad bhavanti bhutani. If you produce foodstuff, then both your animals, yourself, will be happy, becoming strong. Why do they manufacture other things?

►760731r2.par               Conversations
... little cottages, grow little vegetable, little barley or wheat and milk. That is sufficient. We don't require much. We don't want luxury. We want just to subsist. Yavad artha prayojana. We hate the idea of luxury, unnecessary.

►How they were happy, the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana with Kṛṣṇa and living and cows. That I want to introduce. At any cost do it and... Don't bother about big, big buildings. It is not required. Useless waste of time. Produce. Make the whole field green. See that. Then whole economic question solved. Then you eat sumptuous. Eat sumptuously. The animal is happy. The animal even does not give milk; let them eat and pass stool and urine. That is welcome. After all, eating, they will pass stool. So that is beneficial, not that simply milk is beneficial. Even the stool is beneficial. Therefore I am asking so much here and..., "Farm, farm, farm, farm." That is not my program—Kṛṣṇa's program. Annād bhavanti bhūtāni (BG 3.14). Produce greenness everywhere, everywhere. Vṛndāvana. It is not this motorcar civilization. If it has taken in his brain, then it is to be understood that he can do it, this plan. He'll be able.
Srila Prabhupada Conversation, May 27, 1977

Yours in Prabhupada’s service,

Nityananda das                      New Jaipur, Vanua Levu, Fiji Islands

PS. If you would like to be added to our regular mailings of Vedic Village Review news bulletins, please send us an email at srigovinda@gmail.com. Donations welcomed!

Hare Krishna! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

Prabhupadanugas at Independence day parade in Usa

Hare Krsna Montreal on Slovak tv