SB (1964) Volume 2 Preface
(In Devanagari:)
- vata-vasana rsayah sramanah urdhva-manthinah
- brahmakhyam dhama te yanti santah samnyasino 'malah
- vayam tv iha maha-yogin bhramantah karma-vartmasu
- tvad-vartaya tarisyamas tavakair dustaram tamah
- (bha. 11.6.47-48)
"Great sages labouring hard under stringent regulative principles for salvation by suspending semina onwards and thus remaining naked, as well as successful mendicants who have attained complete satisfaction by purificatory practices,-do achieve the transcendental sky of the name Brahman. But so far we are concerned, oh the Great Mystic! we shall transcend this world of abject nescience simply by vibrating the message of your activities as duty bound devotees of Your Lordship, although we are moving seemingly on the path of fruitive actions."
The path of fruitive activities i.e. to say the path of earn money and enjoy life as it is going on generally,-appears to have become also our profession although we have renounced the order of worldly life! They see that we are moving in the cities, in the Government offices, banks and other business places for promoting the publication of Srimad Bhagwatam. They also see that we are moving in the press, paper market and amongst the book binders also away from our residence at Vrindaban and thus they conclude sometimes mistakenly that we are also doing the same business in the dress of a mendicant!
But actually there is a gulf of difference between the two kinds of activities. This is not a business for maintaining an establishment of material enjoyment. On the contrary it is an humble attempt to broadcast the glories of the Lord at a time when the people need it very badly.
An unbeliever friend became astonished to learn that we have taken up a mighty project for presenting sixty volumes of 400 pages each,-simply for the matter of glorifying the Lord. But we should not forget to remember that the Lord is unlimited. This material world is a fragmental portion of His unfathomable glories out of which this tiny earth is a particle only. And on the surface of the earth there are numberless cities and in each and everyone of them there are hundreds of printing houses all engaged in the matter of broadcasting the message of this limited space. We can just imagine how many hundreds of thousand volumes we may need to glorify the activities of the unlimited Lord. Therefore, sixty volumes of just the sample distribution of His glories presented in a manner understandable by the stagnant brain of the residents of this insignificant globe. Otherwise the residents of higher planets who have got superior brains than the man, do go through thousands and millions volumes of Srimad Bhagwatam to know about the glories of the Lord.
Formerly even fifty years before, rich and well to do members of the society used to get Srimad Bhagwatam imprinted or hand written, along with authoritative commentaries, by learned Pandits and then distribute them amongst the devotees of the Lord specially and the people in general casually. At the present moment, the time is so changed that we had to request one of the biggest Industrialists of India, to purchase 100 (one hundred) copies and distribute them but the poor fellow expressed his inability. We wished that somebody may come forward to pay for the actual cost of publiction of this Srimad Bhagwatam and let them be distributed free to all the leading gentlemen of the world. But nobody is so far prepared to do this social uplifting work.
Of course we are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Central Government of India for purchasing some copies and then distribute them to the great institution, universities etc. both in India and abroad. The Director of Education has also recommended this publication as Library copies in educational institutions and they are also purchasing the copies. The problem is that we must get some money for completing the work which is admittedly a mighty project. The sales proceeds are being employed in the promotional work and not in sense-gratification. Herein lies the difference from the fruitive activities. And all for this we have to approach everyone concerned just like a businessman. There is no harm to become a businessman if it is done on account of the Lord as much as there was no harm to become a violent warrior like Arjuna or Hanumanji if such belligerent activities are executed to satisfy the desires of the Supreme Lord.
So even though we are not in the Himalayas, even though we talk of business, even though we deal in rupees and n.P still, simply because we are 100 per cent servants of the Lord and are engaged in the service of broadcasting the message of His glories,-certainly we shall transcend and get through the invincible impasse of Maya and reach the effulgent kingdom of God to render Him face to face eternal service, in full bliss and knowledge. We are confident of this factual position and we may also assure to our numerous readers that they will also achieve the same result simply by hearing the glories of the Lord. (Jannama sruti matrena puman bhavati nirmala.)
As we belong to the chain of disciplic succession from Prahlad Maharaj we may try to follow his footprints. He said before his Lord Nrisinghadeva as follows:-
(In Devanagari:)
prayena deva munayah sva-vimukta-kama maunam caranti vijane na parartha-nisthah
naitan vihaya krpanan vimumuksa eko nanyam tvad asya saranam bhramato 'nupasye
(bha. 7.6.44)
"My Lord, generally all the Munis (saints and philosophers) are interested in their personal salvation. They are mostly silent and travel in lonely places without any desire for other's benefit. But I am not like them. I do not wish to go to the kingdom of God alone leaving these poor misguided people in general who have no other alternative than to surrender unto You and this I see by my practical experience."
We are more interested, therefore, in the mission of reclaiming the conditioned souls for the Kingdom of God by all means, than to seek our personal salvation performed rigidly in a secluded place.
After the publication of the First Volume we have received many good opinions and reviews from all sections of the society in this humble-attempt and we are subjoining herewith some of them for general information.
From Sri Hanuman Prasad Podder. Kalyan Editorial Department, Gita Press, Gorakhpur 1/12/62.
"Pujya Swamiji, Sadar Pranam,
"First of all I should happily acknowledge receipt of the great book SRIMAD BHAGWATAM (First Volume) and I warmly thank you for sending the above.
"Secondly, it is a source of great pleasure for me that a long cherished dream has materialised and is going to be materialised with this and the would be publications. I thank the lord that due to His Grace this publication could see the light.
I again thank you for the rich gift.
With salutation to Shri Hari.
Yours obediently
Sd/- Hanuman Prasad Podder,
Editor. "Kalyan"
From Dr. P. Nagaraja Rao, of the Bombay Bhavan's Journal July 21, 1963 (Sanskrit English) Srimad Bhagwatam. Original Sanskrit Text, English translation and elaborate purport. By A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Published by the League of Devotees, Vrindaban, U. P. pp 364. Price Rs. 16/-
"The volume under review is the first installment of the mighty project to present the entire Bhagwata Puranam (verse by verse) in sixty parts. The present volume covers the first seven chapters of the first Scandha. The translation is easy and flowing. We have first the verse in Deva-nagri script and then word for word meaning. In the end we have the purport (tatparya). This elaborate method is very helpful to the ardent student of Bhagwatam who lacks in Sanskrit knowledge. It is admitted on all hands that Bhagwatam is the most difficult text among the puranas. The author richly deserves the gratitude of the devotees for his pious and learned labour of love. The introduction of 48 pages is a moving account of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the great Bhagwata, the store house of God-love. Bhakti and Vairagya are the sides of Bhagwata sadhana. The more we love God the easier it becomes for us to be detached to trifles in life. Anuraga in the Lord secures virakti. The great efficacy of Bhagwatam, the circumstances under which the purana was given to Parikshit by Suka and the account of Narada are all covered in this volume-the purport under each verse is very helpful. Sd. Dr P. Nagaraja Rao.
From the Vice-President of India,New Delhi August 22, 1963 No V.P. (12) 2114.
"Dear Shri Swamiji Maharaj,
"Thank you for your letter of the 16th August. I have read your book Srimad Bhagwatam with great interest and much profit. I thank you again for the kind thought which must have prompted you to present it to me.
"With kind regards.
Yours Sincerely,
Sd. (Dr.) Zakir Husain.
Opinion of SRI BISWANATH DAS Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Governor's camp Naini Tal, Dated April 29, 1963.
"SRIMAD BHAGWATAM by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, is a very useful publication for English knowing public, to get into the spirit of the Gita. The introduction is masterful exposition of the Gita Dharama. I commend this volume to the thoughtful public. Sd/-Biswanath Das.
Review by A.I.C.C. Economic Review dated 15-4-63.
"In these days when man is obsessed by political wrangles and conflicting economic system, he finds little time and less inclination to spiritual matters. Man is forgetting fast that essence of human existence which is imperceptively linked with a heavenly scheme which enjoins on him respect for and practice of certain enduring values. These values without which human life is dry as dust have been enunciated by seers and sages of all times, as truth and love which would lend to man the basic quality of divinity. In our country from immortal times God revealed Himself through great Mahatmas and the last we have witnessed in our own time was Mahatma Gandhi. He preached these quintessential qualities which man should be imbued with. The First in the line was the great Vyasa Mahamuni who gave us the most treasured possession of mankind, SRIMAD BHAGWATAM. A translation of this great work with commentary by Shri A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI is attempted and we have the first volume in a series of 60 volumes contemplated by this learned devotee of God.
"At a time when not only the people of India but those of the West need the chastening quality of love and truth in the corrupting atmosphere of hate and hypocrisy, a work like this will have uplifting and corrective influence. What is God? He is truth, He is love. Even an atheist must admit the supremacy of these qualities and how much they are needed by the people of the world who have been tought to deny God and therefore these qualities, does not require much emphasis.
"The author has attempted a tremedous task. The scheme of the book is to give the Sanskrit text with English synonyms of words, translation and purports. A perusal will give us in sample measure a knowledge of the original. The essence of Srimad Bhagwatam is the exposition of the Absolute Truth for an understanding of what Absolute Truth is, we would recommend this book."
His Holiness Tridandi Swami B. H. Bon Maharaj, Rector of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, Vrindaban opines like this.
"I have received your book SRIMAD BHAGWATAM Vol. 1 all right and have already read some major portion of it. I have nothing but admiration for your bold and practical venture. If you should be able to complete the whole work, you will render a very great service to the cause of Prabhupada Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Maharaj, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the country also. Do it and rest assured that there will be no scarcity of resources."
"Office No. F. 43-40/63-S.U. Ministry of Education, Government of India New Delhi dated the 27th February 1963. From Dr. R. K. Sharma, Special Officer, Sanskrit. To the Founder Secretary. The League of Devotees (Regd.) Sri Radha Krishna Temple, 2439 Chhipiwada Kalan, Delhi-6, Subject: Purchase of copies of "SRIMAD BHAGWATAM" Vol. 1. by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.
"Sir, I am directed to refer to your letter No. dated 16-1-63 on the subject mentioned above and to say that it has been decided to purchase 50 copies of the above mentioned books at Rs. 16.00 per copy less 25% trade discount. You are therefore requested to supply a copy of the book to the Universities and institutions as per list attached herewith by registered book post. No other charges except paking charges and actual postage charges will be paid to you for the dispatch of the books.......................Yours faithfully
Sd/ R. K. Sharma.
His Holiness Sri Srimad Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj of Sajjan Toshani Patrika June 1963., missionary incharge of London Goudiya Math.
SRIMAD BHAGWATAM VOL. 1. by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj. Reading matter 364 pages 20 X 26/8. Nicely all cloth binding embossed in gold. Price Rs. 16/ Published by the League of Devotees (Regd.) Vrindaban. Selling Agents Messrs. Atmaram & Sons, Kashmere Gate Delhi-6 and branches at Lucknow, Jaipur,Jallander, Indore and Meerut. etc.
"It is a voluminous book in theological science and is welcome in these days when people have no practical faith in God. It begins with first aphorism of the Vedanta Sutras and offers respectful obeisances to the Supreme Truth the aim of theological researches.
"Our Indian Government's emblematic slogan Satyameva Jayata is explained herein in the most rational way and the author gives an introduction of the Summum Bonum. The author is an experienced writer of several other books and periodicals of the same line and has therefore,-very nicely tried to present the Bhaktivedanta commentary in English. There is synonyms of each and every word of the original sloka, English transliteration,-translation along with purport understandable by the modernised men, philosophers and religionists alike. The original sloka is also there for ready reference.
"The present English version is understood to be finished in 60 parts like the one already published. Although each and every sloka of the Srimad Bhagwatam is independant itself, the more we read about it the more we get spiritual enlightenment about the Supreme Lord so much so that even an Atheist becomes theist after reading this book.
"In the Vedas the Supreme Lord is accepted as the Supreme Leader of all other individual living beings. Reasonably we cannot do without accepting a leader for our guidance and Srimad Bhagwatam is practically a search after that Supreme Leader rationally and it is found in it that Lord Sri Krishna is the Original Leader of all other Leaders as it is confirmed in the Bhagwat Gita also which is the preliminary study of Srimad Bhagwatam. The Supreme Leader is called the Parameswara or the Supreme Lord and His transcendental nature, form, Name, quality etc. are elaborately explained in this great literature.
"Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj has explained all these in his explanations of the Gayatri Mantra as the steppingstone for progressive spiritual realisation. The essence of the teachings of Lord Buddha is also explained herein and we can understand through Srimad Bhagwatam how we are spiritually interlocked throughout the universe.
"It is claimed that all contended misgivings of the world will be coincided as soon as the principles of Srimad Bhagwatam are broadcast all over the world. We expect that this particular English version of Srimad Bhagwatam will be widely read and thereby spiritual poverty of people in general may be removed forever. At a time when we need it very greatly Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami, has given us the right thing. We recommend this publication for everyone's serious study. It is understood that the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc. of the Government of India as well as the Director of Education Delhi all have approved of this publication and as such it is being supported by all Universities, Cultural Institutions, Libraries and Higher Secondary Schools. We shall be only happy to see this publication widely read."
