“Hridayananda was far more conversant of the intricacies of our philosophy.” – Tattvavit das, ISKM
“the translations are very well done and even if Srila Prabhupada translated it, I can bet they won’t be any much different than they actually are.” – Tattvavit das, ISKM
Hare Krsna-This is a short summary about the life of Sukadeva das (ACBSP)
– by Damaghosa das
I have known Sukadeva das since the early 1970’s where he was TP in Seattle Wa USA.
We have been great friends for all those years and later as he traveled from LA Calif to our farm in Wash several years in a row to lead our Janmastami/vyasa puja festivals. Continue reading
BY: VIDURA MAHATMA DAS
OCTOBER 12, 2018
In the Rascal Editor’s conversation, specifically when Srila Prabhupada gives the order that the next printing should be again to the original way, it is very clear that the discussion is on unauthorized changes made to reprints of books. That is not to say that no reference – direct or indirect – is made to original printings of books in the discussion, but there is no denying the fact that when Srila Prabhupada does give the order, it is within the context of reprinted editions of books.
The simple logic and context of this order has been broken down in a very detailed way in my article titled The Rascal Editors Conversation: Context Defines the Order. There is no fancy use of word jugglery or a false display of logic. Even a simple order can and should be explained in a very detailed, logical manner to shield it from false interpretations. Srila Prabhupada utilized the basic principles of logic to explain Lord Krishna’s clear and simple instructions in the Bhagavad-gita. This is not word jugglery, but a necessary defense against word jugglery and bogus interpretations.
BY: DAMAGHOSA DAS
SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
Articles addressing Purujit’s arguments in favor of editing Srila Prabhupada’s books
Bhagavad-gita As It Is, original, unrevised 1972 edition
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chapter 2, text 56
TEXT 56
duḥkheṣv anudvigna-manāḥ
sukheṣu vigata-spṛhaḥ
vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ
sthita-dhīr munir ucyate
SYNONYMS
duḥkheṣu—in the threefold miseries; anudvigna-manāḥ—without being agitated in mind; sukheṣu—in happiness; vigata-spṛhaḥ—without being too interested; vīta—free from; rāga—attachment; bhaya—fear; krodhaḥ—anger; sthita-dhīḥ—one who is steady; muniḥ—sage; ucyate—is called.
TRANSLATION
One who is not disturbed in spite of the threefold miseries, who is not elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.
PURPORT
The word muni means one who can agitate his mind in various ways for mental speculation without coming to a factual conclusion. It is said that every muni has a different angle of vision, and unless a muni differs from other munis, he cannot be called a muni in the strict sense of the term. Continue reading
By Damaghosa das
July 13, 2018
1.) Madhya 12.135 purport
In this connection Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains that even though one may become free from the desire for fruitive activity, sometimes the subtle desire for fruitive activity again comes into being within the heart. One often thinks of conducting business to improve devotional activity. But the contamination is so strong that it may later develop into misunderstanding, described as kuṭi-nāṭi (faultfinding) and pratiṣṭhāśā (the desire for name and fame and for high position), jīva-hiṁsā (envy of other living entities), niṣiddhācāra (accepting things forbidden in the śāstra), kāma (desire for material gain) and pūjā (hankering for popularity). The word kuṭi-nāṭi means “duplicity.” As an example of pratiṣṭhāśā, one may attempt to imitate Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura by living in a solitary place. One’s real desire may be for name and fame-in other words, one thinks that fools will accept one to be as good as Haridāsa Ṭhākura just because one lives in a solitary place. These are all material desires. A neophyte devotee is certain to be attacked by other material desires as well, namely desires for women and money. In this way the heart is again filled with dirty things and becomes harder and harder, like that of a materialist. Gradually one desires to become a reputed devotee or an avatāra(incarnation).
July 8, 2018
Overall, in the “Rascal Editors” conversation the discussion on unauthorized changes is of two types: unauthorized changes found in earlier editions of books (type 1), and unauthorized changes found in newer editions/reprints of books (type 2). It is these two types of changes in the discussion which we highlight in order to show the gradual development from type 1 to type 2. We do so not to take away the importance of one type from the other, but as a guide to understanding the defining context within which the concluding order to “print again to the original way” was given.
