Why there are some book changes in Prabhupada books?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Dear Prabhuji (Please hide my name), recently I Purchased set of Srimad Bhagavatham from ISKCON . And I was reading an article in one website , it was said that in the new edition the purports were changed than that to the older ones ..Now I doubt whether I can read it or not .. Kindly please advice me.”
REPLY:
This is my personal view, not to be taken as official explanation.
Some devotees claim that ISKCON has made some changes in the original books of Srila Prabhupada.
Yes, some small changes have been done, but, it is natural in any publication.
(How to regain my faith in ISKCON as I left ISKCON after Prabhupada left? READ HERE!)
I know that. Of course, it is true.
But, I feel that it is not wrong and such practices are common in the publishing industry. I know that as I too am a publisher.
See, Srila Prabhupada is free to write anything; His messages are true; No doubt.
Spiritual concepts are very sensitive and if right words are not used, the concepts may be misunderstood or they may cause some problems among some sections of people. The laws and trends in 2020’s are not the same as 1960s.
For example, a national and responsible newspaper can’t post the same unverified messages posted in the social media because there are no regulators for the social media. But, when a media likes to keep the society well advised and well regulated in right direction, it will avoid some topics.
Same applies for the books of Srila Prabhupada.
Some messages are suitable for discussions, but, they may not be fully suitable to be printed or posted.
(Why Only ISKCON says Vishnu as Avatar and Krishna as Source? READ HERE!)
But, when it is printed, the publishers have to ensure that the contents do not violate the rues of those countries.
Because the Publication rules are different in every country.
So, they may have to change a few sensitive words as soft words.
Some very sensitive messages are to be moderated. If ISKCON changes the basic concept of the books of Srila Prabhupada, we can accuse them. Moderation of contents are the continuous process in every media/ publication.
Since it is done with good intentions, it should be accepted.
See, even in many websites, there is moderation of comments. To ensure that the words and messages of the comments do not violate of the expected codes, before the comments appear, they are read and censored. The site moderators do not change your comments, but, they just edit the messages if there are any sensitive words and messages.
That is why, you can not read unhealthy contents in the comments of some well moderated sites.
(Why some devotees fear to attend ISKCON and follow strict rules? READ HERE!)
Same type of moderation is done in any books published online and offline by any publication. When Srila Prabhupada’s books are published in almost all the languages, some moderations may become necessary to suit the laws of every country in which that book is published and sold. Or, some words may be sharp that may hurt someone. They have to be slightly moderated or softened.
I have heard that even when Srila Prabhupada was alive, some of his words have been replaced by some other words of similar meaning.
They have not changed the basic concepts.
That means, they have not changed as “Siva is Supreme”
Some small moderations have been done without making big changes in the meanings.
Even the last two cantos of Srimad Bhagavatham have been written by the disciples of Srila Prabhupada, as he had left the world before completing the last two cantos.
Book changes are actually to be called as moderations.
It is a natural process in any publication.
Since the basic concept has not been changed, you can read the books sold by ISKCON without any hesitation.
See, those who do such moderations are the senior Vaishnavas and they do after many discussions with the concerned forums/ authorities in the ISKCON. They are not irresponsible people.
So, Srila Prabhupada himself may know the motive behind some changes.
Read Prabhupada’s Books; Go close to Krishna.
Hope this reply has clarified the doubts about book changes in Prabhupada books.
(Tips to read Srila Prabhupada’s Books to Learn Krishna Consciousness! READ HERE!)