A long, long time ago, on another coast, I picked up the Gaudiya Math’s version of the Srimad Bhagavatam. I’m not really sure why I did it, but I must have been trying to add to the library and curiosity most definitely played a role.

It is in English and it’s not at all easy to follow. I was expecting a verse-by-verse translation with purport on some/many verses, like Srila Prabhupada’s. But I don’t think it’s that at all.

I think it does contain every verse, as translated (as far as I can tell) by Tridandi Sri Bhakti Prajnan Yati. It claims on the title page that it has “purport folling the commentary of Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarty & the annotation of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur.” That’s all well and good, but it’s not really clear where the sastra stops and the purports, commentary or annotations begin or end.

But then there’s the introduction… that’s where you find out where the author really stands.

I believe that it was written around 1982ish – a handful of years after Srila Prabhupada left our mortal vision. And so, Yati, the author, takes a few philosophical stabs at Srila Prabhupada.

This is nothing new and it’s not necessarily anything horrible. Even though we are on the same path, there may be disagreements on details.

Here is what is said:

One of his [Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's] disciples who later on became internationally famed as Swami A.C. Bhakti Vedanta being the founder of International Society for Krishna Consciousness, brought out most beautiful and costly edition of Srimad Bhagavatam in English. But he left this world before he could complete the entire work. He could get the book published upto ninth Canto with exhaustive purport under his own guide-line and the tenth Canto he brought out in two separate book-forms under the caption ‘Sri Krishna’ with his fanciful translation without any purport. His this tremendous undertaking must be applauded. But I have to apologise for pointing out some greatest mistakes that have crept in his renderings which go against the very foundation of Bhagavata-cult, and as it were, like some white marks of leprosy on the most beautiful and lovely countenance of a princess.

He goes on to detail, through several pages, what he feels are mistakes. They deal with the constitutional position of Mother Yashoda and the gopis. In dealing with that, the author refers to Srila Prabhupada as “silly and blasphemous.” That’s sort of harsh. He throws the word “blasphemy” around a bit more.

The author then goes on to “rewrite” some of what Prabhupada said, saying that “instead it should be…” A few “wrong representations” and “has not done proper justices” later, and he begins nit-picking over some very minor details that seem more lost in translation than anything.

This author, in his introduction, comes off as petty. I’m tempted to say “envious,” but I don’t know his heart and don’t care to make such a statement. But he is definitely petty and misunderstanding much of what he is complaining about.

He speaks of Srila Prabhupada for five or six pages and then moves on to how others have interpreted the Bhagavatam. Then, a handful of disagreements later, he makes his way back to Srila Prabhupada, this time about the origin of the jiva. What Srila Prabhupada actually said on this matter is still being argued today. But for the sake of argument, the author has Prabhupada take a counter position.

While I said “petty,” I believe the author has also brought up some very important points. Is Srila Prabhupada really “blasphemous”? Now, I tend to think not, but still, having these points refuted would be lovely.

If someone were willing to post a rebuttal against Tridandi Sri Bhakti Prajnan Yati’s statements on Srila Prabhupada, I would be more than willing to post them here. This devotee would have to be fairly learned in Srimad Bhagavatam. I could send them what Yati has written and then would post both arguments.

Could be fun and a learning experience for all!