Arsa-Prayoga

Latest Articles

When the Manuscript Is Lost, Who Has the Right to Rewrite the Book?
Three editions of Teachings of Lord Caitanya reveal a missing statement about love of Krishna, a restored but rewritten teaching about women, and a fundamental problem: the original manuscript is lost.
Continue reading →: When the Manuscript Is Lost, Who Has the Right to Rewrite the Book?

Which Reading Is Correct? The Lesson of Bhagavad-gītā 1.36
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s original manuscript reads sa-bāndhavān, while the 1972 Bhagavad-gītā also contains sva-bāndhavān. Why preserve the published edition rather than correct it posthumously?

What Did Śrīla Prabhupāda Mean by “The Original Way”?
What did Śrīla Prabhupāda mean by “the original way” in the June 22, 1977 conversation? An examination of the evidence for devotees who oppose posthumous revisions.

Review of Stolen Words: When Bad Arguments Harm the Case for Srila Prabhupada’s Original Books
Jagannath Misra is right to oppose the changes to Srila Prabhupada’s books. But unsupported claims and exaggerations weaken an otherwise compelling case for preserving the original editions.

Debating “The Blessed Lord”
A Facebook post by Ajit Krishna Dasa discusses Śrīla Prabhupāda’s objection to the phrase “Blessed Lord said” during a 1970 lecture, arguing it was theologically inappropriate. However, he asserts that, while this objection is significant, it does not mean the phrase was inherently impersonal or unsuitable. Dasa presents evidence of Prabhupāda using the term both before and after the objection,…

Hari-Sauri’s Defense of the Book Changes — and Why It Fails
The article critiques Hari-śauri Dāsa’s defense of posthumous editing of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s works, particularly in response to Rūpānuga Dāsa’s concerns about authority in altering these texts after Prabhupāda’s passing. Rūpānuga argues that no explicit instructions were provided by Prabhupāda allowing such revisions, emphasizing the need for clarity on editorial authority. Hari-śauri’s response focuses on specific changes he deems improvements without…

Why Jayadvaita Swami Changed “Phalanx” in Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita — and Why It Matters
The article discusses the implications of changing Srila Prabhupada’s term “military phalanx” to “military formation” in the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, arguing that such editorial changes can undermine the authority of the guru. It highlights Jayadvaita Swami’s rationale for the change, emphasizing his own retrospective acknowledgment of excessive pickiness. The author asserts that the decision reflects a broader editorial mentality…

“Taking Center of Krishna” Makes Perfect Sense
The posthumous edits to Bhagavad-gītā 9.32, substituting “taking center of Kṛṣṇa” with “taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa,” reflect an editorial simplification that may obscure deeper meanings. The original phrasing emphasizes Kṛṣṇa as a central point in life, enhancing understanding of spiritual orientation beyond mere refuge, showcasing the richness of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s philosophical expressions.

Hayagriva Prabhu versus Posthumous Editing: Eleven Problems with Jayadvaita Swami’s Method
Hayagriva Prabhu’s lifetime editorial service is compared with Jayadvaita Swami’s posthumous revisions, revealing eleven serious problems involving authority, method, consistency, and fidelity to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s published books.

How Can a Pure Devotee Make Mistakes and Still Never Be Wrong?
The article argues against the notion that “there are no mistakes” in the writings of pure devotees. While pure devotees do not commit material mistakes in spiritual understanding, their literary works may contain conventional errors. Recognizing these discrepancies does not undermine their transcendental status, illustrating the distinction between external faults and spiritual integrity.

Why The “Family Tree” Explanation Does Not Work
By Ajit Krishna Dasa Introduction Not everyone who is against the changes to Srila Prabhupada are in agreement about everything. Madhusudana Dasa has recently proposed an unusual defence of the phrase “planet of trees” in the purport to Bhagavad-gita 10.29. According to his explanation, “trees” should be understood as “family trees” or “genealogical trees,” and “planet of trees” would therefore…

How Can a Pure Devotee Make Mistakes and Still Never Be Wrong?

The article argues against the notion that “there are no mistakes” in the writings of pure devotees. While pure devotees do not commit material…
Earlier Drafts Are Not Final Authority

The argument posits that posthumous revisions to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Bhagavad-gītā As It Is cannot supersede the author-approved editions. Manuscripts often reflect incomplete or error-laden…
The “Rascal Editors” Conversation – Then and Now

The post-samādhi editing of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books was a concern even during his lifetime, as he encountered unauthorized changes. He emphasized the necessity of…
About the Arsa-Prayoga Blog

By Ajit Krishna Dasa The term “Arsa-Prayoga” means we should not correct the transcendental mistakes sometimes made by the acaryas. We can only correct…