SP about editing his books Discussion Boston, December 24, 1969 691224DC.BOS Prabhupada: You can keep it and record. Yes. So manage in that way. We have to train so many things. So tactfully you have to do that. Hayagriva: Then he does the first editing. After it's typed up off the dictaphone, Satsvarupa does the first editing. Then I go over what he has gone over and check the manuscript... Prabhupada: Yes. What you do, he goes. And what he does, you go. Then final. In this way. But the last editing should be checked twice. The dictaphone, then checked by him and then by you. Or checked by you and then by him. That's all. Hayagriva: Yes. And Pradyumna does the Sanskrit after. Prabhupada: Yes. That's all. That is printing department. Prabhupada's Lectures Srimad-Bhagavatam 1973 731209SB.LA Therefore one should not correct himself. Another person should take the editorial correction work, because the man who has written he sees that it is right. This is called illusion. Prabhupada's Lectures General - 1973 730822VP.LON Therefore, to advance in Krsna consciousness we require two kinds of help--one from Krsna and another from the spiritual master. It is stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta... You'll be glad now that Caitanya-caritamrta is now published. (devotees: Jaya! Haribol!) Yes. (This) It is the... Our Panditji, Pradyumna, he has presented. Actually, he has worked for it, although I have translated. But I am very much indebted to him that he very carefully edits and makes the thing very perfect. So, now we have got translation of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and Sanskrit portion... Because mostly there is Sanskrit portion, so, so my beloved disciple, Pradyumna, I call him Pandit Maharsaya(?), because he is actually doing the Pandit's work. So he edits and he works very hard. And... Not only that, his wife also helps in this connection. So actually, that is wanted. Kiba vipra kiba sudra nase kene naya ye krsna tattva vetta sei guru haya. "Rascal editors" Room Conversation and Morning Walk: 770622RC.VRN Letter to: Hayagriva : 68-01-15 Los Angeles Regarding the manuscript: It is very difficult for me to see it again, but I inquired from Brahmananda whether the manuscript is already delivered to MacMillan Company or not. If it is not delivered then I shall try to see it again. Your fear that the entire society will be in danger by Raymond's editing of the Gita is not very suitable remark. Rayarama may not be as qualified as you are, but his one qualification that he is fully surrendered to Krishna and his Spiritual Master is the first class recommendation for his editing any one of our literatures, because editing of Vedic literatures does not depend on academic education. It is clearly stated in the Upanisads that one who has implicit faith in God as well as in the Spiritual Master, to him only the import of Vedic literature is revealed. I think Rayarama is doing work in that spirit and his recent publication of several booklets and Back to Godhead and a calendar are all first class proof of his sincerity of service. Anyway, when I started Back to Godhead, it was my intention that your academic career and Rayarama's sincere service would be a good combination; unfortunately, I do not know why, you do not agree with one another. To me, English language is undoubtedly a foreign language, and I thought your combination of editorship will help me a great deal. Anyway, whatever is done is done. I wish that the misunderstanding created at the present moment may be mitigated by mutual cooperation and we can start fresh with renewed energy for service of the Supreme Lord. I think you will agree with me. Letter to: Rayarama : 69-05-17 Columbus, Ohio Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 14, 1969, and I have received a similar letter from Brahmananda also that you are finding some difficulty in keeping pace regularly with the routine work. My advice to you under the circumstances is that at least for one hour you must all go to have Sankirtana outside on the streets or in the park. That is your life and soul, first business. The next business is completing the chanting of 16 rounds every day. The next business is your editing, and if you find extra time, then you can attend the temple ceremonies. Otherwise you can stop these activities, but outdoor kirtana, your editing work and chanting of 16 rounds must be done. Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important. If need be, the whole temple can be locked, but the outdoor kirtana cannot be stopped. Letter to: Pradyumna : 69-09-28 Tittenhurst, UK My Dear Pradyumna, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 23rd, 1969 with enclosures. I shall keep the letter of Mr. Manu Vora in my file. The composition which you have sent me, although it is incomplete, it appears to be nice. I do not find any mistake in the composition, but sometimes you have spelled Caitanya as Caitanya, and sometimes you have spelled it Caitanya. so why there should be two different spellings? On page #3 you will find this difference. Otherwise, I do not find any difficulty. Regarding Isopanisad, I have no books here with me, so I cannot actually refer to the book what is Mantra #9. This is the difficulty of editorial work. I do not know in the absence of the book how I can help you. But the way of English synonyms given by you on page #3, under heading "Sri Isopanisad English Synonyms, Invocation and Mantras I-V'' is set up very nicely. If you follow this principle throughout in all our books, it will be very, very nice, super-excellent work. But if you sometimes refer me on my touring program, it will be difficult for me. Of course, after my return from Europe I am sitting down tight for book work, and then it will not be very difficult job for me if you refer any sentence for correction. In the meantime, I think you are doing nicely. Just pray Krishna and do your best. Letter to: Brahmananda : 69-12-10 London Another thing, I have received a great complaint against the United Shipping Corporation regarding supplying goods to our Hawaii branch. So pending inquiry, you should not forward any order to them, and if you have got any money due from them, you should try to adjust by taking goods from them immediately. Regarding BTG, I am so glad that you are printing 50,000 copies henceforward. I have received also your press management report, so the only thing to be amended there is that all books especially must be twiced edited, once by Satsvarupa and once by Hayagriva. In every publication house all printing matters are edited at least three times. So we should be very much careful about grammatical and printing mistakes. That will mar the prestige of the press and the institution. Letter to: Mandali Bhadra : 70-02-03 Los Angeles I am asking Hayagriva to send you the manuscript for Bhagavad-gita, and you can also write to him directly to send a copy. Krsnas causeless mercy is always there. If we take up that causeless mercy a little seriously then further causeless mercies are bestowed one after another increasingly. Krsna is more anxious to bestow His benediction upon us than we are ready to take it. If we therefore sincerely engage ourselves in Krsna consciousness activities, certainly we will advance more and more by the causeless mercy of the Lord. So by the grace of the Lord you have got a very nice engagement. Try to execute this with all attention and then certainly you will feel transcendental bliss and your life will be successful without waiting for the next. Letter to: Satsvarupa : 70-02-28 Los Angeles Suppose on Monday you receive the tape number 17, let it be transcribed in two days by someone ``A.'' Then in the next two days (days 3 and 4) someone ``B'' edits it. Then in the next two days (days 5 and 6) another ``C'' edits it for the second time. Then Mr. ``D'' gives it the diacritical marks, and then it is ready for composing. Letter to: Brahmananda : 70-04-17 Los Angeles In KRSNA chapter #87, on page 4, the last line, it is said, ``known as budbuvasa, which is manifested by Govinda.'' I do not know what is this editing. The correct word is Bhurbhuvasvah as it is in the Gayatri mantra and everybody knows it. This ``budbuvasa'' is an extraordinary word, neither it is Sanskrit nor English, so how it has avoided the vigilance of so many editors? So if none of the editors knew this word, why was it pushed? There should be no such negligences like this, nothing uncertain should be pushed. Now what other discrepancies there may be like this? Or what is the use of such editing? Everything must be done very carefully and attentively. Letter to: Brahmananda : 70-04-22 Los Angeles Please accept my blessings. Regarding the Topmost Yoga, in the blueprint there are many mistakes. I am pointing out some of them as follows: Page 2 ``. . . decided to kill his sister.'' not sisters, because only Devaki was there. ``The Lord's compromise was that He had Vasudeva propose to the brother-in-law . . .'' This sentence is obscure. The actual fact is Vasudeva made a compromise and said to his brother-in-law, ``such and such''. Then everywhere there is yogins, gosvamins, sannyasins, etc. in many places. The ``n'' is not required--that I have already informed Pradyumna. On page 17 there is a word ``enfuriated''; this is a spelling mistake, it should be ``infuriated''. Then on page 48: ``on the bank of the Ganges near Didbee''. This is not ``Didbee'', it is ``Delhi''. On page 49 there are so many ``gosvamins,'' but there should be no ``n.'' In this way I have read the book sporadically, not very minutely. I think it should be gone through once more very carefully and all the mistakes that are still existing there should be corrected. If the books are printed with spelling mistakes and other mistakes, that will be a discredit for our publication. So please see that editorial work is done very nicely. Letter to: Brahmananda : 70-06-02 Los Angeles So you have gone to Japan, make perfect arrangement for our printing work—BTG, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc., and let me peacefully write books. I wanted the help of an editor. In the present Krsna book everything is done nice, but there are many mistakes, but on the whole the work is nice. So if our books are regularly printed and the magazines are regularly distributed, and occasionally you visit the centers, that will be very nice program. Letter to: Jadurani : 71-06-08 Bombay Regarding Satsvarupa's engagement, his main business is editorial and to improve the condition of the Boston temple also. There is a vast amount of editing work. It is not an easy job. We have to print so many books and if he becomes an expert editor it will be a great asset to our mission, and he has got the capacity. Very soon I am returning and I shall overburden him with dictaphone tapes. He will have more than enough engagement. Letter to: Tamala Krsna, Gurudasa : 71-08-23 London Regarding the Bengali translation by S. Ganguli, it is almost perfect; 90%. But 10% incorrect is not his fault. He is a new man. Therefore there are little discrepancies with our thoughts. Besides that there are some mistakes in spelling as Sanskrit verses. On the whole we can immediately start the Bengali paper but there is not one qualified man who can check over the correctness of the papers. Even it is 99% all right, still that 1% must be corrected. So far I am concerned, I cannot give my time to this. The best thing would have been if this Mr. Ganguli would come and be our student and learn our philosophy carefully and then he would be most suitable man for becoming editor of our Bengali paper. Do you think that Amrtananda will be able to check as the second Bengali man? Ask him if he is able to check the papers. Then jointly with the endeavor of Amrtananda and Ganguli you can start the Bengali paper as well as publish books. Letter to: Rayarama : 71-10-22 Bombay Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 11th October, 1971 and have noted the contents. I welcome you for your coming back to our society and you are feeling very nicely the association of devotees. Srila Rupa Goswami has described that devotional service can be advanced by six processes. Perhaps you know them. They are as follows: enthusiasm, patience, conviction, following the regulative principles, being honest in one's profession, and in the association of devotees. So this Krishna consciousness society is especially meant for giving people the opportunity to associate with devotees. Devotees means who are following the regulative principles. One cannot be independent and at the same time become a devotee because all devotional activities are based on surrender. So in the association of devotees we learn this important item--how to surrender, but if we keep our independence and try to become devotees, that is not possible. You write to say that you cannot feel any taste for temple life or Deity worship. This means you are keeping the same temperament you entertained before leaving our society. Our process is to accept both the lines of bhagavata marga and pancaratriki marga. Perhaps you might have seen the picture of the Gaudiya mission. On one side there is the bhagavata book and on the other side a picture of Laksmi Narayana for Deity worship. You cannot make any progress in devotional service unless simultaneously you follow both the lines. Just as the tracks of a railroad line; both must be there. Similarly temple worship is essential for purifying us from the material contamination and without being purified we cannot glorify the Lord. As it is stated in Bhagavad-gita that the Lord is completely pure and we cannot approach Krishna without being purified. So as you say that you do not feel very much encouraged in Deity worship and temple life, I see that your disease is still continuing. Under the circumstances simple academic career will not help you. If you want to live with us you must accept temple life, namely cleanly shaven head, observing the regulative principles, decorating the body with tilak, etc. You know all these things. So far your editorial work is concerned, I welcome your good service but if you do not follow temple life and Deity worship, it will set a bad example. When I was there in N.Y. last time I saw that the tendency was there in the press members not to follow the principles. So I said better to stop the press. Since then Advaita and the others are attending temple worship. Similarly you must also do the same and chant at least 16 rounds, etc. I am so glad to learn that you are eager to preach but we should know it that we cannot preach without being solid in our standing as devotee. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that ``apani acari prabhu jivare sikhaya.'' This means that Lord Caitanya wanted that one should preach by behaving himself exactly what he preaches. So our Krsna consciousness movement, preaching, depends on personal behavior. If you want to preach the gospel of Lord Jesus Christ on the principles of Bhagavad-gita you will find so many differences. Those who are following Jesus Christ, let them follow strictly to the principles of the Bible. ``Thou shalt not kill'' is now being misinterpreted by Christian priests. Now they say ``Thou shall not murder.'' This means trying to save themselves from the crime of animal killing. So you cannot teach such unscrupled followers the message of Bhagavad-gita. If you want to preach Bible you can tell them why there will be misinterpretation. In N.Y. there is a big press that prints ``Watchtower.'' They are forcefully criticizing Christian behavior. I read that one Christian priest allowed a marriage between two men--homosex. So these things are going on. So your proposal for preaching the gospel on the basis of Bhagavad-gita will not be successful. If you want to do that I cannot check you but I cannot allow you to do such things from within our society. You have to understand our philosophy perfectly, follow the regulative principles, and then in fact you can edit our books and papers. When I shall go to Mayapura then upon hearing from you of my proposal as mentioned above, I shall arrange for your coming to India. First of all you have to decide yourself whether you are prepared to surrender to our principles, but if you keep your independence either in Mayapura or N.Y., your position is the same. To associate with me you are always welcome but not with your independence. That will not help me or you. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Letter to: Hamsaduta : 72-01-20 Jaipur So far translating, I have made Mandali Bhadra as Chief of translating department. He shall translate comfortably and all other translations must be checked and edited and approved by him, with grammatical corrections. It is not that we may present anything crude translation and that is acceptable. No, even though the transcendental subject matter of Vedic literature is still spiritually potent despite the crudest translation, still, because we have got facility to make it perfect, that is our philosophy. When I translated Srimad-Bhagavatam I had not the facility so you may notice grammatical discrepancies. But because Mandali Bhadra is now Head of the translating department you have got all facility to translate our books in perfect German language. Letter to: Mandali Bhadra : 72-01-20 Jaipur Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 28, 1971, and with pleasure I have noted that your translation work is going on. This I want, that you shall from now on be the Head of the translating department in German language for all ISKCON literatures. You translate yourself as it is comfortable, but all other tanslations in German language by other translators must be checked by you, edited, and corrected very strictly for grammar and proper use of German language. It is not our philosophy to print errors. Of course, our spiritual subject matter is transcendental and therefore it remains potent despite mistakes in grammar, spelling, etc. But this type of translation may only be allowed if there is no other way to correct it, then it is all right. But if you know the correct order, then you must make it perfect. That is our philosophy: everything perfect for Krishna. So far your telling me that some devotees consider that because there may be some grammatical discrepancies in my Srimad-Bhagavatam, first canto, then they may also be allowed to translate with errors accepted, that is just like imitating Raslila. When you do all other things like Krishna, they you can do Raslila. So if these other writers can do like me and spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world by becoming big Vedic scholars, then they can do. If one is too big, there is no mistake. Arsapreyaya means there may be discrepancies but it is all right. Just like Shakespeare, sometimes there are odd usages of language, but he is accepted as authority. I have explained all these things in my Preface to First Canto. My first concern is that my books shall be published and distributed profusely all over the world. Practically, books are the basis of our Movement. Without our books, our preaching will have no effect. So I am so much engladdened that you are enthusiastic to please me in this way, and that you are very determined to continue translating profusely. If you can increase translating more and more, that will advance you more and more in spiritual life. Krishna will give you all help. Letter to: Jayadvaita : 72-09-19 From Pradyumna dasa - SL_720919_A There the first line of the Devanagari script is placed last, and the last line is placed first. I don't know how this mistake has occurred; in the Second Canto chapter books there is no mistake, so this must have occurred during layout sometime. The second mistake is in Second Canto, Fifth Chapter, 24th verse. There, in both the old edition and the new edition, the middle line of Devanagari script is missing. Prabhupada said that if there is one mistake in one book, then you spoil the whole book. Murder the whole book. So also besides Sanskrit errors, there have been many, many English errors also, which; are very obvious, just like these two above-mentioned errors, so Prabhupada has been emphasizing lately about the great need for making our books free from errors. "What's done has been done"* but now we should try to do two things: make sure that errors like these won't occur again, and start a listing of past mistakes in each book so that we can correct them when they are reprinted . Concerning these two Sanskrit errors, one was not noted down before the new reprint was made I think there should be a blueprint made of each book before it goes to press because then the editors will know for sure that there weren't any errors made in layout or that something fell off. These are just my suggestions. Of course I am ab(out) the most faulty person about, but we have to do something to eliminate all errors in the book. * Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Radha Ballabha Vrndavana, July 22nd, 1977 From: Tamal Krishna - SL_770722_B2 Los Angeles My dear Radha Ballabha Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances. I have been instructed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to reply your letter dated July 12th, 1977. The letter from Yasodanandan Maharaja to Satsvarupa Maharaja was simply meant to indicate that there are discrepancies in Srila Prabhupada’s books. As Ramesvara Maharaja has kindly pointed out, these are due to three reasons: 1) typographical errors, 2) mistakes made by English and Sanskrit editors because of maya or poor fund of knowledge, and 3) transcendental mistakes dictated by His Divine Grace Himself. On the day that the conversation took place, His Divine Grace Himself found the error. It was not pointed out by anyone else present. And furthermore His Divine Grace pointed His finger at the Sanskrit dept. saying it was their fault. Only after His Divine Grace did this, did the others present point out that there were other mistakes in some of the books. This is only natural because the persons present were not “ordinary” devotees, but each was quite qualified in his own right. Prabhupada's criticism of the editing was not simply due to finding this mistake, as you know better th an I. His Divine Grace has since the work begun strongly criticized the editors. Perhaps this is just to make sure that they were especially carefully, since theirs is most important work of all. Overall He is very much pleased, very much highly pleased, with the way the books are being put out. Overall He is not at all dissatisfied but is on the other hand, most satisfied. And furthermore He does not desire for you to do anything for the rest of your life but see to the publication of His transcendental books. The letter from Yasodanandan Maharaja should only stimulate you to be more and more careful that Srila Prabhupada’s books be edited perfectly. But still all of the mistakes should be corrected. Factually there are many incorrect facts in the Fifth Canto which we will send you the corrections for, approved by His Divine Grace. I know you will be gald to get these. So far as who is "authorized" and "unauthorized", it is the same as when the GBC spoke with Srila Prabhupada about "legal" and "illegal" distribution. Srila Prabhupada’s definition of what is legal is "whatever sells my books." In the same way, as long as the editors edit everything perfectly they are "authorized" and when they make mistakes, whatever the reason is then they become "unauthorized." When you do everything nicely you are praised and when some mistake is there, you are a "rascal." This is true for all of us. BTG #31-01,1997 Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami: Bringing Out the New Edition When the revised transliterations had been entered into the master files, Dravida printed it all out at his office in San Diego—about ten thousand sheets double spaced. He began reading the text, comparing it often to the original transcripts of Srila Prabhupada's dictation from the Bhaktivedanta Archives. As Srila Prabhupada had previously entrusted him to do, Dravida occasionally made editorial adjustments, improving the English as needed, without changing the meaning. In the course of his work he found remarkably few mistakes—he changed far less than one per cent of the text. Those he did find had generally grown out of the breakneck speed at which the original version had been produced—fourteen of the seventeen books in two months. A Transcendental Diary Vol 1 - Hari Sauri Dasa Volume One - November 1975 - April 1976 TD 1-7: Andhra Pradesh January 5th, 1976 Prabhupada is also closely supervising revisions of his books and has approved of correcting printing and editorial mistakes in earlier editions. Radhaballabha mentioned that on Harikesa's advice the BBT has postponed reprinting the First Canto of the Bhagavatam because Prabhupada was apparently not pleased with the standard of correction. Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta - Satsvarupa dasa Goswami Vol. 6: Uniting Two Worlds: Around the World / Return to Vrndavana 1975-1977 SPL 52: "I Have Done My Part" "Sadhu?" asked Srila Prabhupada. Thus he uncovered a thoughtless mistake made by the Sanskrit editors. Sadhu means "devotee," not "this is relevant." Srila Prabhupada became very angry and denounced the "rascal Sanskrit scholars." "A little learning," he said "is dangerous. Immediately they think they have become big scholar, thinking, "I shall arrange!' And then they write all nonsense." He continued speaking about the mistake for half an hour. He was disturbed. He ordered Tamala Krsna to write at once to the BBT and stop these speculations by his disciples-changing his books in the name of editing The devotees were startled to see Prabhupada so angry; he was supposed to be peacefully relishing a Srimad-Bhagavatam reading here in his garden. Such a change was very serious, he said, because it changed the meaning. "Even if the authorized acaryas would make a mistake," he said, "it would not be changed. This is arsa-prayoga. In this way the acaryas are honored." "You Cannot Leave Boston" - Satsvarupa dasa Goswami YCLB 10: October 1969 Prabhupada writes, "I want that in all our books, magazines and other writings the scholarly presentation be given in all instances." That was his standard. Although his Indian Bhagavatams were printed with so many mistakes in India, he wanted his English editions to be perfect. So many students and professors would be reading his books and Prabhupada wanted to present the sastra without mistakes; he wanted the scholars to respect his literature and not see it as sentimental. After all, Prabhupada was writing in Jiva Gosvami's sampradaya. Rupa Gosvami, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura—they were all great scholars as well as devotees. Around this time, he began to establish Sanskrit standards. He could have chosen to use “sh” instead of “ç [HK: z]” or “n [HK: S]” and make his books more accessible to the public. He chose in favor of scholarship because he wanted the Westerners to appreciate both his scholarly rendering from the Sanskrit and the devotional value of his translations. He wanted his books to read fluidly and the philosophy to be clear. There was considerable work involved in making it come out right. Prabhupada's decisions on standards were quite specific. For example, I remember Pradyumna sending him spellings for yogi that had endings such as yogin, because college textbooks often spell it that way. Prabhupada chose to keep the diacritics and to spell it according to the higher standard. I had to read Prabhupada’s books carefully if I was to edit them properly. Therefore, I caught something which Prabhupada acknowledged as a mistake. I remember at the same time, Brahmananda also wrote to Prabhupada with what he thought was a mistake. TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days - Tamala Krsna Goswami TKG: June, 1977 TKG: June 22 Prabhupada talked further about the Sanskrit editors' changing his books. "Even if the authorized acaryas would make a mistake, it would not be changed. This is arseya. In this way the acaryas are honored. Just see, this third-class rascal,—- [Nitai] dasa; he cannot sit down in Radha-Damodara temple to translate, and he wants to translate Sat-sandarbha. He cannot capture an ordinary garden snake, and he wants to catch a cobra. He is after woman, and he wants to translate Sat-sandarbha." The Twenty-Six Qualities of a Devotee (SDG) TQD 5. A devotee is faultless, nidosa Srila Prabhupada’s first edition of Srimad-Bhagavatam came out in India under difficult conditions and contained grammatical, spelling, and printing errors. But the philosophy was completely perfect and in parampara from Lord Caitanya and Lord Krsna; therefore, those who are “thoroughly honest” have no difficulty overlooking the errors. Srila Prabhupada and his disciples were very happy in subsequent years when they came out with a new edition of the same volume with technical errors removed, but they never thought that the original volume lacked any transcendental perfection. Rather, those volumes are treasured today as collector’s items and are read with as much pleasure and gain as the technically improved volumes. The very errors remind us how Srila Prabhupada first published these books, without any income or assistance, overseeing all aspects of the production, personally collecting the funds, proofreading, and transporting the paper to the printer. The devotees see the technical mistakes as the mud in Ganges, which doesn’t affect the purifying effect of the holy Ganges; and they see Srila Prabhupada’s own humble statement about the matter as confirmation of the true nature of faultlessness: We are sure, therefore, that everyone in human society will welcome Srimad-Bhagavatam, even though it is now presented with so many faults, for it is recommended by Sri Narada, who has very kindly appeared in this chapter. – Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.11, purport SP on translating his books into other languages One thing I shall request you and your wife: to translate into French all our books. The Society will be obliged to you by your intellectual service more than by money, because you are a family man and you require money. I hope this will satisfy you. (Letter to Janardana, 12th April, 1967) On a regular basis, Janardana was reading Srila Prabhupada's Gita manuscript and going over the details with Srila Prabhupada when he visited. Srila Prabhupada had asked him to edit the English translation and purport so that it was correct and understandable in a scholarly fashion. He also wanted him to translate the Gita into French as Janardana was French Canadian and knew French well. He wanted that a French edition of Bhagavad Gita should be available to those whose native tongue was French. (Prabhupada Stories - Govinda dasi, Story #24 - Montreal 1968, summer time) The arrangement for the composing and printing of BTG in French and German languages is already settled, and if you all continue to translate my books and articles and write articles yourselves; that will make the work successful. The people in general can be reached very well by the distribution of our literatures and by the propagation of Sankirtana in the streets. These are our two mrdangas for reawakening the sleeping conditioned souls. (Letter Janardana 16.1.1970) It is also encouraging to note that one educated boy is wanting to translate some of our literature into Tamil language, so encourage him. (Letter Bali-mardana 27.4.1971) If you can arrange for the translating of my books, that is most pleasing to me. (Letter Locanananda 8.12.1971) In any case, very soon I shall be going to Calcutta, and there I shall call you and you may remain with me for some time for translating under my direction. Then I shall be able to see how you are translating my books. If you can do it very nicely, then I shall entrust the whole matter to you. This will be a great pleasure for me. (Letter Sankara 9.12.1971) My first concern is that my books shall be published and distributed profusely all over the world. Practically, books are the basis of our Movement. Without our books, our preaching will have no effect. So I am so much engladdened that you are enthusiastic to please me in this way, and that you are very determined to continue translating profusely. If you can increase translating more and more, that will advance you more and more in spiritual life. Krishna will give you all help. Why you should go to New York? Stay there and seriously edit all translation work as Chief Editor of German language. (Letter Mandali Bhadra 20.1.1972) I am very glad to hear that my books are being translated into Indonesian language, and I shall be glad to receive from you the sample copy. (Letter Amogha 15.2.1972) I am also very encouraged to hear that Japanese language translations of some of my books will be brought out soon. That is very important step forward for our preaching work there, because without books and magazines, what authority or what basis have we got for preaching? (Letter Sudama 19.2.1972) I am very glad to hear that Louise Bourassa has joined us. Thank her for understanding our philosophy. She is PhD., so she may translate all of my books into French language in cooperation with Yogesvara at ISKCON Press in New York, who is in charge of the foreign languages printing of my books. She may also write article for BTG why she came to KC and comparing our philosophy to others. (...) Regarding the teacher Miss Wilson, you may engage her in translating, if she can read Bengali type. She can try Jiva Goswamis "Sandarbhas''—that will be a great contribution. So far Radhika's work, I am very pleased you are continuing translating into Russian language my books and essays. This book business is the most important of all, so kindly continue giving it your full attention. (Letter Rudra, Radhika 20.2.1972) You can tell Bhanu that I have received his letter of February 16, 1972, and I am very glad that he has arrived there to help you. He is a very good boy, and very intelligent also, so now you engage him full-time in translating my books, and he may train other Japanese-speaking boys also to translate and preach, then everything will be successful. (Letter Sudama 28.2.1972) As you know, I am very eager to devote my full attention to writing my books when I return to Los Angeles. Therefore I am keeping Pradyumna with me and training him personally in Sanskrit work. I wish also that you join me when I return to Los Angeles so that the editing work may go on very efficiently. With both Pradyumna and yourself at my side then the work will go on very speedily. It is my serious desire to devote the fag end of my life to translating Srimad Bhagavatam and so many other Vaisnava literatures so by assisting me in this regards you will be performing the highest service to Krsna. (Letter Hayagriva 27.4.1972) I am happy to hear that you have begun some translating work. Now you work conjointly with Ramananda in Gorakhpur for producing all of my books in Hindi language, that will be your great contribution. You are a learned scholar, so is Ramananda, so the both of you together should head up this program of translating and publishing my books in Hindi language. If you require to have anything sent you from this country, I can arrange. You should be given all facilities to carry on this work with all expediency. Thank you very much for helping me in this way, may Krsna bless you more and more. (Letter Niranjana 18.9.1972) The German devotees I have seen both in Paris and Stockholm have impressed me by their enthusiasm. It is very encouraging, so train them nicely. The Germans are very intelligent, and they will be the future preachers. So give them nice translations of my books and you will have tremendous success in Germany. (Letter Hamsaduta 12.10.1973; quoted in: Vedavyasa dasa - Srila Prabhupada and His Disciples in Germany 14) I also note that you are translating my books into Spanish and this of course will help our cause there in the Spanish speaking countries. So continue on with this service and Krishna will bless you. (Letter Jose 22.11.1974) Thank you very much for translating my books. It is so much important to me to have my books printed in all languages of the world. (Letter Niranjana 21.1.1975) It is your responsibility to always exhibit a Krsna conscious example. You should always be thinking how to spread Krsna consciousness to the African people. This is our mission—to save suffering humanity from the path of repeated birth and death. The way to become free is only by becoming pure devotee of Krsna. You should simply stick to our principles and everything will come out all right in our preaching work. You should publish profusely literature in Swahili and distribute. This is very important. This mission has been established simply on the publishing and distribution of my books. So get them translated and published as soon as possible. (Letter Sarvavit 26.7.1975) Yes if you can arrange for the translation of my books in Polish language that will please me very much. (Letter Kirtiraja 31.12.1975) In general, if any translator of my books requires the original manuscripts for his work, he should be supplied them by you. (Letter Ramesvara 18.9.1976; quoted in: Hari Sauri dasa - A Transcendental Diary 4.5) Your dedication to translating and distributing my books in Caracas is very pleasing to me. This will be the most effective method for carrying out Lord Caitanya's prediction that the chanting of Hare Krsna will be taken up in every town and village of the world. (Letter Bir Krsna 10.2.1977) I have seen the new Hungarian book and I thank you very much. It is very nice. You are a very good boy. Please go on translating all my books into Russian and Hungarian and I shall be very much obliged. (Letter Dvarakesa 8.3.1977) And during your stay here you had whispered in my ears, "Gour Govinda, this will be one of the best temples in the world. You should stay here and see this project is done. You stay here, chant Hare Krsna, translate my books in Oriya, and publish them and preach..." (GGS VP 1988) You instructed me to translate your books into Bengali and personally trained me to do that job. Once when you were in Bombay you even told me, “Just translate my books and go back to Godhead.” (BCS VP 1992)