50 ISKCON (1966 – 2016) celebrations
- Part 3 -

Radhamohan Das *

ISKCON Temple at Airport Road, Imphal on 9 December 2014 :: Pix - Arunkumar Thongam

Srila Prabhupada's Contributions (Briefly):

Srila Prabhupada's most significant contribution is undoubtedly his books. He translated more than eighty volumes of classic Vedic scriptures such as, the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita etc into the English language. The professors of colleges and universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cornell, Columbia, Syracuse, Oberlin and Edinburgh and many more have praised his books for his authority, depth and clarity. His books are on Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.

The "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" was published by Macmillan Publishers in 1968 and unabridged edition in 1972 and his great achievement is that this holy book is now available in over sixty languages (including the Manipuri) around the world. Some of these books have already been translated in over eighty different languages. These books are widely distributed throughout the world. As for 2014 record, over half a billion books were distributed according to ISKCON's news agency.

The publication and distribution of the books are being done by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), as an independent entity, but for the benefit of ISKCON since its creation in 1972, Hd. Qrt. Mumbai. The BBT had published Srila Parbhupada's multi-volume biography, "Srila Prabhupada-Lilamrita" (The Nectar of the pastimes of Srila Prabhupada).

Larry Shinn, Head of Faculty, Arts and Science of Bucknell University commented that, "Srila Prabhupada's – Lilamrita" will certainly be one of the most complete records of his life and works as a modern religious figure. Srila Prabhupada reminded his devotees before his passing away that he would live forever in his books, and through them he would remain present as their spiritual master.

Another advice to his devotees and followers is that of the importance of writing and publishing not only with regard to his works, but also their initiatives. "Back to Godhead" bi-monthly magazine which he had edited and published in 1944 is considered as one, which was given to the disciples for their own writings even from the early time. Now a days, there are many publications in every centre, and the 'Bhagavat Paojel' is one such for our centre to help us propagate 'Krishna consciousness' message in this part of the world.

Shrivasta Goswami, a prominent Gaudiya Vaishnava figure made a remarkable comment on his books, "Making these Vaishnava texts available is one of Srila Prabhupada's greatest contributions. Apart from the masses, his books have also reached well into academic circles and have spurred academic interest in the Caitanya tradition….. The significance of making these texts available is not merely academic or cultural; it is spiritual."

Dr Zakir Hussain, Vice President of India wrote, "I have read your book Srimad Bhagavatam with great interest and much profit. I thank you again for the kind thought which must have prompted you to present it to me."

Renowned scholars in their fields, comment graphic testimony to the scholarship and authenticity of Srila Prabhupada's books: "No work in all Indian literature is more quoted, because none is better loved, in the West, than the Bhagavad-gita … For the poem is a symphony in which God is een in all things …… The Swami does a real service for students by investing the beloved Indian epic with fresh meaning…"

Dr Geddes MacGregor, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, University of Southern California – "The Gita can be seen as the main literary support for the great religious civilization of India, the oldest surviving culture in the world. The present translation and commentary is another manifistation of the permanent living importance of the Gita."

Thomas Merton, Christian Theologian – "I am most impressed in the A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's scholarly and authoritative edition of Bhagavad-gita. It is a most valuable work for the scholar as well as the layman and is of great utility as a reference book as well as text book. I promptly recommend this edition to my students. It is a beautifully done work."

Dr Samuel D Atkins, Professor of Sanskrit, Princeton University – "…… As a successor in direct line from Caitanya, the author of "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" is entitled, according to Indian custom, to the majestic title of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The great interest that his reading of the Bhagavad-gita holds for us is that it offers us an authorized interpretation according to the principles of the Caitanya tradition."

Olivier Lacombe, Professorof Sanskrit and Indology, Sorbonne,University, Paris – "I have had the opportunity of examining several volumes published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and have found them to be of excellent quality and of great value for use in college classes on Indian religions. This is particularly true of the BBT edition and translation of the Bhagavad-gita."

Dr Frederick B Underwood, Professor of Religion, Columbia University – "….. If truth is what works, as Pierce and the pragmatists insist, there must be a kind of truth in the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, since those who follow its teachings display a joyous serenity usually missing in the bleak and strident lives of contemporary people."

Dr Elwin H Powell, Professor of Sociology, State University of New York, Buffalo — "There is little question that this edition is one of the best books available in the Gita and devotion. Prabhupada's translation is an ideal blend of literal accuracy and religious."

Dr Thomas J Hopkins, Professor of Religion, Franklin and Marshall College — "The Bhagavad-gita, one of the great spiritual texts is not yet a common part of our cultural milieu. This is probably less because it is alien per se than because we have lacked just the kind of close interpretative commentary upon it that Swami Bhaktivedanta has here provided , a commentary written from not only a scholar's but a practioner's a dedicated lifelong devotee's point of view."

Denise Levertov, Poet — "The scholarly world is again indebted to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Although Bhagavad-gita has been translated many times, Prabhupada adds a translation of singular importance with his commentary....."

Dr J Stillson Judah, Professor of the History of Religions and Director of Libraries Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California Scholars' Praises on Srimad – Bhagavatam: "This is work to be treasured. No one of whatever faith or philosophical persuation who reads these books with an open mind can fail to be both moved and impressed ............"

Dr Garry Gelade, Professor of Psychology, Oxford University — "The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust editions of famous religious classics of India, with new translations and commentaries, are an important addition to our expanding knowledge of spiritual India. Srimad Bhaagavatam is particularly welcome."

Dr John L Mish, Chief, Oriental Division, New York Public Library — "It has been my great pleasure recently to have read the Srimad – Bhagavatam in the superb edition authorized by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada .......... I am sure this monumental work will go far to bring the sublime message of the Bhagavatam to numerous Westerners who otherwise would miss this opportunity."

Dr Alex Wayman, Professor of Sanskrit, Colombia University — "It is axiomatic that no book can be expected entirely to satisfy all its potential readers. Here is one, however, which can be said to come remarkable close to that ideal...... we have here the ideal of what an edition of a Sanskrit text for a Westerner audience should be."

To be continued ....