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The books Srila Prabhupada brought with him from India were the first three volumes of the Srimad Bhagavatam he had printed in Delhi between 1960 and 1965. This 3-volume set is reprinted to match the original volumes as accurately as possible. With matching layout, typesetting, and even the original printing errors, this edition is perfect for any avid collector.
In Srila Prabhupada's letter to Hanuman Prasad Poddar, written 2-05-70 in Los Angeles, he tells some of the history of his Srimad Bhagwatams:
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".... In 1936, my Spiritual Master left this world leaving a message for me that it would be better for me to preach in English language. So I was thinking very seriously, and then, as late as 1944 I started my paper, "Back to Godhead." Gradually, in 1954, I retired from my family life and began to live alone in Mathura Vrindaban. In 1959, I was awarded Sannyas by one of my Godbrothers, His Holiness B.P. Kesava Maharaja.
Then I began translating Srimad-Bhagavatam in 1960; and, perhaps in 1961,
I was your guest in the Gita Bagicha. You were very kind to help me partially for publishing my first volume of Srimad-Bhagavatam through the Dalmia Charitable Trust. With great difficulty, I then published the second and third volumes of Srimad-Bhagavatam until 1965, when I prepared myself to come to this country with some books.
 Srila Prabhupada with his original 3 Vol Bhagwatam |
With great difficulty, I was able to get the "P" Form passed by the Controller of Foreign Exchange, and, someway or other, I reached Boston on 17th September, 1965. I was thinking, while on board the ship "Jaladuta," why Krishna had brought me to this country. I knew that Western people are too much addicted to so many forbidden things according to our Vedic conception of life. So out of sentiment I wrote a long poetry addressing Lord Krishna as to what was His purpose in bringing me to this country.
"At that time, I was sponsored by a friend's son, Gopala Agarwal, who is settled up in this country by marrying an American girl, Sally. I was their guest, and I feel very much obliged to Gopala and his wife Sally for their nice treatment and reception. I was with them for three weeks in Butler, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then I came to New York. I was getting some money by selling my Srimad-Bhagavatam, thus I was maintaining myself in New York.
After some time, I rented one apartment at number 100 71st Street West, but after a few months, all my things--typewriter, tape recorder, books--were stolen. Then for some time one of my students gave me shelter at Bowery Street.
"I then rented one store-front and an apartment at 26 Second Avenue for $200 per month, but without any source of income. I started my classes and sometimes, on Sundays, I used to chant Hare Krishna Mantra in Tomkins Square Park from three to 5 P.M. During this time, all the young boys and girls used to gather around me, sometimes poet Ginsberg would come to see me, and sometimes a reporter from the New York Times came to see me. In this way, the Hare Krishna Mantra chanting became very popular on the Lower East Side."
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These Srimad Bhagwatams are among the most valuable memorabilia one can have of Srila Prabhupada. The timing of their publication coincides directly with Srila Prabhupada's departure for the Western world. He left India a very short time after the last volume was printed, and it seems obvious that the completion of this task signaled the time for his departure.
When one reads these original Bhagwatams, perhaps more than any of Srila Prabhupada's other writings, you can feel the Vrindaban mood. Srila Prabhupada was there alone writing his purports, whereas the other Bhagavatams were translated and written while he was surrounded by many followers and his ISKCON movement was rapidly growing. This was quite a contrast to the circumstances surrounding his first books.
Although these books were not edited as the later ones were, and thus contain some typos and English imperfections, there is absolutely no less spiritual potency. In fact, whether its sentiment or realization, to my mind these early editions are preferable, and represent one of the strongest arguments for not making any changes or 'improvements' to the Sampradaya Acarya's books after his departure.
Every newcomer to Krsna Consciousness should have the opportunity to read these original Bhagwatams so they can get to know Srila Prabhupada in a more intimate way.
Get Srila Prabhupada's original, unrevised books. Beware of imitations.
Since 1978, ISKCON and Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. (BBTI) have been publishing revised editions of Srila Prabhupada's books, heavily edited by disciples without his authorisation.
ISKCON and Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. are NOT the authentic Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) founded by Srila Prabhupada for publishing his phenomenal works. Srila Prabhupada's Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is a legal trust and has no connection with ISKCON and the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc., a California corporation formed in 1988, 11 years after Srila Prabhupada departed from this world. Srila Prabhupada established the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in 1972, and in 1974, appointed Hansadutta dasa BBT trustee for life with these words: "The temples may go, the devotees may go, but my books will live forever."
BHAGWATAM
FIRST PART
With short life sketch of
Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu the ideal Preacher of Bhagwat
Dharma, Original Sanskrit text, its Roman transliteration
English Synonyms, English Translation
and
Elaborate Purport by
A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI
1962
Published by
THE LEAGUE OF DEVOTEES (Regd)
VRINDABAN : DELHI
free for:
The Members
Rs. 16/-
First Published in 1962
Copyright reserved
PRINTED IN DELHI IN 12 POINT TIMES FACE TYPE FOR
THE LEAGUE OF DEVOTEES (REGD.)
VRINDABAN : DELHI
BY CH. KANSHI RAM AT NEW O.K. PRESS, CHURIWALAN, DELHI-6.
(INDIA)
TO
SRILA PRABHUPADA
BHAKTI SIDDHANTA SARASWATI
GOSWAMI MAHARAJ
MY SPIRITUAL MASTER
On the 26th annual ceremony of His
Disappearance Day
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