Controversies

Ever since 1983, when the BBT published the second edition of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is, some readers have strongly objected to the BBT’s editing policies. We present some of the main objections, with responses.


	Editing without direct approval violates the principle of “arsa prayoga,” or honoring the guru
	Many of the editorial revisions significantly change the meaning of the text.
	Many changes were unnecessary
	Śrīla Prabhupāda heard and lectured from a verse and said nothing about a need for further editing
	How can the editors be so arrogant as to presume to “correct” Śrīla Prabhupāda?
	Did Śrīla Prabhupāda ever order you to revise his books?
	Revised editions don’t have the spiritual potency of the originals.
	The original books are fully authorized and approved by Śrīla Prabhupāda. Anything later is less authoritative, less authentic.
	Śrīla Prabhupāda’s voice and style
	The Mona Lisa argument
	Where does it end?
	Why aren't scholars praising the second edition of the Gītā, the way they praised the first?
	What you call an "original manuscript" is really just a draft
	Shouldn’t the BBT make both editions of the Gītā available—the old one and the new?