The frequently cited figure of "5,000 changes" in the revised Bhagavad-gītā requires careful examination. This number, while often quoted, needs to be understood in its proper context.
Understanding the Count
The figure includes every type of modification made to the text, including:
- Simple punctuation adjustments
- Article changes (such as "the" to "a")
- Minor formatting alterations
Each of these registers as a "change" in computer-based comparisons, regardless of its significance to the meaning of the text.
Methodology Concerns
The origin of this number raises some methodological questions:
- The count was derived by examining approximately 20 pages of text
- This sample was then extrapolated to estimate changes across the entire thousand-page volume
- Such extrapolation could easily be off by hundreds or even thousands of changes
Putting Numbers in Perspective
Even if we accept the figure of 5,000 changes, this averages to about five changes per page. This could be as simple as five comma adjustments per page across the entire text.
The Real Focus
While the number of changes has become a point of discussion, it's important to note that there are indeed significant and serious revisions in the Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. However, focusing solely on the quantity of changes can distract from meaningful discussion about their quality and purpose.
The emphasis should be on understanding the nature and necessity of these revisions, rather than fixating on a potentially imprecise total number.