Srila Prabhupadas Preface to Srimad Bhagavatam

[Paramananda das]

Srila Prabhupadas preface to Srimad Bhagavatam

We must know the present need of human society. And what is that need? Human society is no longer bounded by geographical limits to particular countries or communities. Human society is broader than in the Middle Ages, and the world tendency is toward one state or one human society. The ideals of spiritual communism, according to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, are based more or less on the oneness of the entire human society, nay, of the entire energy of living beings. The need is felt by great thinkers to make this a successful ideology. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will fill this need in human society. It begins, therefore, with the aphorism of Vedānta philosophy janmādy asya yataḥ [SB 1.1.1] to establish the ideal of a common cause.

Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the field of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the re-spiritualization of the entire human society.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam should be introduced also in the schools and colleges, for it is recommended by the great student-devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja in order to change the demoniac face of society.

kaumāra ācaret prājño

dharmān bhāgavatān iha

durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma

tad apy adhruvam arthadam

(SB 7.6.1)

Disparity in human society is due to lack of principles in a godless civilization. There is God, or the Almighty One, from whom everything emanates, by whom everything is maintained and in whom everything is merged to rest. Material science has tried to find the ultimate source of creation very insufficiently, but it is a fact that there is one ultimate source of everything that be. This ultimate source is explained rationally and authoritatively in the beautiful Bhāgavatam, or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the transcendental science not only for knowing the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing our relation with Him and our duty toward perfection of the human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge. It is powerful reading matter in the Sanskrit language, and it is now rendered into English elaborately so that simply by a careful reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the reader will be sufficiently educated to defend himself from the onslaught of atheists. Over and above this, the reader will be able to convert others to accepting God as a concrete principle.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam begins with the definition of the ultimate source. It is a bona fide commentary on the Vedānta-sūtraby the same author, Śrīla Vyāsadeva, and gradually it develops into nine cantos up to the highest state of God realization. The only qualification one needs to study this great book of transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously and not jump forward haphazardly like with an ordinary book. It should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another. The reading matter is so arranged with its original Sanskrit text, its English transliteration, synonyms, translation and purports so that one is sure to become a God-realized soul at the end of finishing the first nine cantos.

The Tenth Canto is distinct from the first nine cantos because it deals directly with the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa. One will be unable to capture the effects of the Tenth Canto without going through the first nine cantos. The book is complete in twelve cantos, each independent, but it is good for all to read them in small installments one after another.

I must admit my frailties in presenting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, but still I am hopeful of its good reception by the thinkers and leaders of society on the strength of the following statement of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.11):

tad-vāg-visargo janatāgha-viplavo

yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api

nāmāny anantasya yaśo 'ṅkitāni yac

chṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ

"On the other hand, that literature which is full with descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, form and pastimes of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a transcendental creation meant to bring about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though irregularly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest."

Oṁ tat sat

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Dated at Delhi

December 15, 1962

So Srila Prabhupada is very clear he admits that he may have made some small mistakes in his presentation and quotes SB 1.5.11

Based on this sloka and this preface it is clear his books should not be tampered with .

When I joined ISKCON in 1979 and someone would have dared say Srila Prabhupadas books was full of mistakes they would have been kicked out of ISKCON.But few years later JAS started to come with his specualtion that Prabhupadas books needed editing.No one liked the idea to mess around with Prabhupadas books except for JAS ,that later claimed he found the real "books "

in the Bhaktivedanta Archives and he as the "new messiah of ISKCON" will bring forth this "holy grail' of Prabhupadas books as it is.

But these are all false and very bogus claims.

I will certainly give Jayadvaita Swami credit for assisting Prabhupada during his presence with proofreading his books etc and whatever service he did. But Srila Prabhupada never instructed him or anyone to later change or reedit his books nor is this ever done in our Gaudiya history . Though Jayadvaita and the BBT has misquoted Bhakti Ratnakara to suit such claims.Srila Jiva Goswami never ever edited one words written by his beloved Guru ,Srila Rupa Goswami without his presence . In the material world if someone that one loves dies people keep everything of that person as it is . So similarly if we really have love for Srila Prabhupada we should not want one word changed in his books that he left us on November 14 ,1977 .

Srimad Bhagavatam is the Literary incarnation of Krsna and Srila Prabhupada stated more than once that Krsna personally wrote every single word in his books, Srila Prabhupada was fully inspired by Krsna to write his books. Can the BBT change things like planet of the trees in Bhagavad Gita ,when it is supposed to be planet of the pitris .Why not? But that is maybe one rare exception .So where is the beginning and end if we start fixing Prabhupadas books . .Because then the itchy fingers of some start thinking I can improve all of Prabhupadas books.So better leave it as it is

And recall :

tad-vāg-visargo janatāgha-viplavo

yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api

nāmāny anantasya yaśo 'ṅkitāni yac

chṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ

"On the other hand, that literature which is full with descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, form and pastimes of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a transcendental creation meant to bring about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though irregularly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest."

This is enough for most real followers of Srila Prabhupada, but in the name of better service JAS and a few fanatics

speculate that they can improve the words of the pure devotee Srila Prabhupada.Certainly offensive,no?