sastra prakash -case school version

8/4/2019 Sastra Prakash -Case School Version

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STRA -PRAKA Revealing the Scripture

In Service To

His Divine Grace A,C, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Founder-Acharya

International Society for Krishna Consciousness


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S T R A - P R A K A Revealing the Scripture

RMAD-AAA DAM

ANNUAL FUND

MISSION

The rmd-hgvt Vidyphm is dedicated to bringing to the world authoritative translations ofthe Vedic strs (scriptures).

This vast treasure of spiritual literature is essential for the achievement of the great mission set forward

by His Divine Grace A.C. hktivednt Swmi Prbhupda in his founding documents for theInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness:

To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in thetechniques of spiritual life, in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and

peace in the world.

Through his Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, rl Prbhupda brought about an unprecedented wave ofpublishing and distributing Vedic strs which is continuing to this day. The rmd-hgvt

Vidyphm has been established to help the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust perpetuate and expand thiswork.

BENEFITS

The spread of the K consciousness movement worldwide is concrete evidence of the importance ofpublishing and distributing the Vedic strs in their pure form.

rl Prbhupda would often point out that although the Bhagavad-gt has been known in Western

countries for hundreds of years, it has been translated and interpreted in a misleading impersonal senseand thus very few understood its true message and became devotees ofKa. However, when theBhagavad-gt ws presented "As It Is" by rl Prbhupda thousands of Americans, Europeans andothers without any previous connection with K hve relized the Gts true mening nd becomeHis devotees.


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Numerous testimonials bear witness to the spiritual potency of Vedic literature when presented by

realized devotees. Such literatures have the power to uplift all of human society, now struggling in thedarkness of our current materialistic age.

We find this message powerfully stated in the rmd-hgvtm itself:

This rmad-Bhgavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by rlaVysadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and itis all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect. This Bhgavata Pura is as brilliant asthe sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Ka to His own abode,accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the

dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from thisPura.1

r Citny Mhprabhu placed great emphasis on the understanding ofrmd-hgvtm and

instructed his disciples, especilly the six Gosvms of Vndvana, to expand upon its message for thebenefit of all aspiring spiritual seekers.

Beginning with their work and continuing to the present day a vast library ofGuyVivliterature has been created, most of which is only accessible in its pure form to scholars of Sanskrit and

Bengali. Added to this are the Vedas, Upnids and Purs which have rarely been translated in thespirit of devotion, rather than that of mundane academia.

To reach a wider audience, especially the English-speaking world, qualified translators are needed. Suchdevotees must not only be fully adept in both Sanskrit and English but expert in understanding the

meaning in relation to rmd-hgvtm. And they must be devotees themselves of high character,with an attitude of selfless service, and dedication to rlPrbhupds mission.

rlPrbhupd began the training required for this work. Now through the efforts of the rmd-hgvt Vidyphm, the world can look forward to an ever increasing flow of spiritual literature forthe benefit of all mankind.

TRAINING TRANSLATORS

rlPrbhupd personally gave us his own translations and commentaries on the most importantVedic literatures namely Bhagavad-gt and rmd-hgvtm. He lso brought us r Citny-

critmta, thebiogrphy nd techings of r Citny, rK's most munificent avatar for thecurrent age.

1SB 1.3.40, 43


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During his lifetime, rlPrbhupd began training his disciples to carry on his monumental translationwork, bringing the Vedic literature as it is to the general public. However, he cautioned that those whowould continue this work required special qualifications.

In 1977, just months before departing this world he gave this direction:


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Clockwise from top left: r Gopprdhn Ds, Trustee and Principal ofrmd- hgvtVidyphm, Teaching Sanskrit in open air class, students from India, Russia and Slovenia, Classroomstudy, open air class, Harinam Sankirtanan integral part of the school

Our trnslation must be documents. They are not ordinary... One cannot become unless one is very

realized. It is not A-B-C-D trnsltion.

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The rmd-hgvt Vidyphm has been established to train and support such qualified Sanskritand Bengali translators and educators who can both carry on rlPrbhupds unique legcy nd traina new generation of devotional scholars.

Through the efforts of the school such students will go fr beyond the bcs nd chieve level ofdeep spiritual devotion and realization from which they can truly serve the mission of revealing Vedic

strs as they are meant to be understood by the sages, rishis and acaryas who wrote and compiledthem.

TOP TWENTY SANSKRIT TRANSLATION PROJECTS

Title Author Commentary

Stava-ml Rp Gosvm commentry by ldev Vidybhaa

Padyvali Rp Gosvmcommentries by Vrcndr Gosvmnd Dmodr

Lalita-mdhava-nakam Rp Gosvm commentry by Rdhk Ds

Vidagdha-mdhava-nakam Rp Gosvm

commentary by KadevaSrvbhum (disciple of VivnthCkrvrt)

Dna-keli-kaumud Rp Gosvmcommentry by Jv Gosvm (or

Vivnth Ckrvrt)

Hari-bhakti-vilsa Sntn Gosvm uthors own commentry

Gopla-camp Jv Gosvm

Stavval Rghunth ds Gosvm

Dna-keli-cintmai Rghunth ds Gosvm

Caitanya-candrodaya-naka Kavi-karpr

Alakra-kaustubha Kavi-karpr

commentry by Vivnth Ckrvrt(or his disciple KadevaSrvbhum)

Vndvana-mahimmta Prbodhnnd Srsvt

Caitanya-candrmta Prbodhnnd Srsvt

commentries by nnd nd

ymkior

Ka-karmta Bilvamagala hkur

commentaries by Kds Kvirj,Citny Ds, nd Gopl haGosvm

Ka-bhajanmta Nrhri Srkr

2Ref. VedaBase => GBC Meets with rlPrbhupd -- My 28, 1977, Vndvana


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nanda-vndvana-camp Kavi-karpr commentry by Vivnth Ckrvrt

Mdhurya-kadambin Vivnth Ckrvrt

Stavmta-lahar Vivnth Ckrvrt

Govinda-bhya ldev Vidybhaa uthors own Skma-k

Siddhnta-ratna ldev Vidybhaa uthors own Skma-k

HISTORY

The idea to establish the rmd-hgvt Vidyphm and to embark upon the mission of establishinga permanent, comprehensive facility for supporting Sanskrit and Bengali translation grew out of a

dilogue between r Gopla Bha Dsa, r Goppradhana Dsa, a veteran Sanskrit translator forthe Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, and others in 2004.

At that time, with seed funding from rGoplhDs, the school was established, led by r

GopprdhnDs, one of the few Sanskrit scholars personally trained by rlPrbhupd.GopprdhnDs recently completed the translation of the r hd-bhgvtmta by SntnGosvm, receiving high praise from both the devotional and academic community.

In his forward to this volume, Prof. OConnell, one of the leding cdemic scholrs of Vivism inthe Western world wrote:

"The appearance of the Bhad-bhgavatmta thus marks a new phase of textual theologicalscholarship by members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. They have, as it were,

come into their maturity as responsible for faithful transmission of the Caitanya Vaiava tradition ofprema-bhakti, loving devotion to GodKa. What better way to assure fidelity to the words and spiritofCaitanya Mahprabhu and his circle of immediate disciples than to enable devotees and attentive

seekers to read, hear, and visualize the foundational texts of those very scholar-devotees who hadexperienced the charismatic presence ofKa Caitanya himself!"

The success of this publication combined with the exemplary reputation ofGopprdhnDs as aViv Sanskrit scholar, attracted students from around the world to apply for admission and the firstyear of study began in October 2005 with 20 students.

The primary offering of the Vidyphm is a three-yer hgavata-strcourse. This intensive programuses the traditional method of Sanskrit instruction involving the memorization of grammatical sutras,

Sanskrit codes delineating the rules of grammar. Over the course of their study students memorize 1000

sutras as presented by r Jva Gosvm, one of the intimate disciples ofrCaitanya and the mostprominent scholar in the Guy lineage.

While acquiring the skills to read and speak Sanskrit fluently, students are also immersed in study of themajor rmd-hgvtm commentaries. Deep study of the primary texts is preferred over superficialsurveys of hundreds.

Along with academic training, the school provides a natural, balanced lifestyle that is both devotional

and sttvic (characterized by the mode of goodness). This includes a policy of gender separation in order


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to maintain the most conducive atmosphere for education. (Currently, due to limited facilities, the school

is only accepting male students at the Govardhana location.)

Thus the school helps students become seriously dedicated Vivs with the consciousness andbehavior needed to represent the pure teachings ofVivism.

In former times, Vedic education functioned with the support of substantial endowments and voluntary

contributions from students to teachers. In this spirit the school has no tuition fees and provides all the

needs of its students free of charge.

In 2008, the first batch of 10 students were awarded the Bhagavata-sastri diploma after completing three

years of intensive training. Since then while continuing the Bhagavata-sastri program the school has

begun direct translation training for the most qualified graduates.

ANNUAL FUND

In Vedic times, teachers generally lived simply in keeping with the brahminical principles of austerity,

cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. Recognizing the immeasurable value provided by a saintlycommunity of teachers, Vedic society provided the needs of this community through generous charity.

The Vidyphm aspires to facilitate such a free flow of education in which both students and teachersare unencumbered by financial concerns. To accomplish this, the Vidyphm has established anAnnual Fund along with permanent endowment funds to cover all the basic costs of maintaining faculty,

administration and student needs without charging any fees from the students.

The Annual Fund also provides for new initiatives, ongoing enhancements, special programs, and

additions to the schools operations.

Along with its spiritual advantages, the school's location in rural India helps to keep the costs ofoperations and maintenance of students low. Currently the cost per student is just Rs. 10,000 per month

covering all students needs as well as the maintenance of the school and its staff.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Participating in the campaign is open to everyone through either donating or volunteering. Every

contribution is valuable, big or small.

Donors, at any level, can contribute directly to the Vidypham in India, or to one of these partner

organizations participating in the project (see appendix for full details):

Friends of the BBT, U.S.A.

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, U.S.A.

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, SwedenBhaktivedanta Book Trust, Italy

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Australia


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Each of the partners has established a special fund to be used exclusively for this project. Donors to anyof the participating partners receive the same naming opportunities as donating to the Trust. Donations

are tax-deductible in the country of the respective partners.

Donations of securities and tangible assets can also be made through the partner organizations.

In addition to their personal contributions, supporters of the campaign are encouraged to participate as

volunteers helping to get the message of the campaign out to potential supporters.

SUMMARY

The Vedic literture hs sustined the worlds oldest living culture. The knowledge, wisdom ndguidance available from Vedic stras are essential for bringing spiritual balance to the modern world.

However, the true message of these literatures is often obscured by simple academic translations. The

real value can be found only when the message is delivered as it is, with its meaning intact.

The mission of the rmd-hgvt Vidyphm is to train and facilitate students and scholars whohave both the academic skills and devotional realization to serve the world with an ever-increasing flow

of spiritual treasure from the vast store of Vedic stra. We invite you to participate in this mission bysupporting the Campaign.


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APPENDIX ONE

An excerpt from the foreword to the forthcoming BBT publication of Tattva Sandarbha -

translation and commentary by Gopiparanadhana Dasa Adhikari

In the vicinity of Govardhana you can meet sincere pilgrims from all over the world, come to absorbthe spiritually charged atmosphere. The devout circumambulate the hill as an act of recollection known

asparikrama. During the fourteen mile journey, they visit many of the more than sixty sacred sites inthe environs. If you spent some time there, you might well be privileged to meet Gopiparanadhana Dasa

Adhikari, an American scholar of Sanskrit and long-time follower of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada, the founder ofthe Hre Krishn movement. Gopiprndhn would likely tell you, ifyou were not already aware, that the Hare Krishna movementmore formally identified with theInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCONis much more than a relic of the 60s.He would rightly say that it is a still vibrant, international religious movement of considerable size that

trces its roots bck t lest five centuries to the divine inspirtion of r Citny. It mintinssophisticated traditions of ritual and spiritual practice and a rich legacy of theological thought and

scholrship tht go bck to the Gosvms who mde this scred region their home in the sixteenthcentury. As the conversation progressed, Gopiparanadhana Dasa might also tell you that, if you were to

see a herd of white cows without a cowherd wandering on Govardhan Hill, you should pay reverentattention. They would beaccording to local lorethe cows of K nd his compnion lrm,not actually without their herders because the divine pair would be present there also in spiritual form.

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Gopiparanadhana Dasa lives in Govardhan in a humble cottage of bricks and mud, with his wife,his son, and several cows. He is the founding preceptor and guiding light of a new educational

institution in Govrdhn, the Srimd hgvt Vidypith. This set (pha) of knowledge (vidy) isdedicated to training young scholars in the highest traditions of brahmanical, Sanskrit learning, with an

emphasis on the theological texts of the Caitanya tradition and, most especially, the systematic study ofthe works of the Gosvms nd the rmad Bhgavatam and its commentaries. Here, something quiteremrkble is going on. As the ISKCON trdition of Citny, or Guy Vivism mtures, it hsbegun to train scholars and theologians of its own to carry on and extend into the future the work of

Prbhupd, its founder. As Joseph OConnell hs noted, the publiction in English in 2002-2006 of theSntn Gosvm's r Bhad Bhgavatmta, as translatedby Gopiprndhn Ds, ws the firstpubliction by the hktivednt ook Trust of mjor Citny Viv text which the followers ofthe lte Swmi A. C. hktivednt Prbhupd . . . ccomplished without his immedite presence. 4This new stage in the institutional and theological development of the movement is now centered at the

vidypha in Govardhan, and is being overseen by Gopiparanadhana Dasa.The students of the school, who pay no tuition, lead a demanding life of study, discipline, and

celibacy, enfolded in a routine of devotion and spiritual practice. The day begins with worship at 4:30

3 Dhnurdhr Swmi, Krtik Journl - Govrdhn Puj nd Jp Thoughts. November 1, 2005. Accessed 1 March 2009. .

4Joseph T. OConnell, Foreword, in r hd hgvtmt of rl Sntn Gosvm, vol. 1 (Los Angeles: hktivednt oo kTrust, 2002): xiii-xiv.


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a.m. and has no slack in it. In addition to their hours of rigorous study of Sanskrit grammar, literary

theory, scripture, nd Viv theology, students engage in serious devotional practice and areexpected, following the ancient rama tradition of Indian education, to perform many of the dailychores that keep the institution running. The object, according to Gopiparanadhana, is to give the

students not only technical expertise and scholarly masteryin terms of Sanskrit learning no mean

taskbut also to foster in them the spiritual discipline and depth of religious experience that will enablethem to teach and translate the spiritual masterworks of their tradition in as authentic a manner aspossible. The students of this school, under the tutelage of Gopiparanadhana Dasa, seem likely to play

mjor role in the future of ISKCON nd the Citny Viv movement s whole.

The translator/commentator is in fact a highly respected figure in the ISKCON movement.Having received spiritual initiation from A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1973,

Gopiparanadhana Dasa began a serious study of Sanskrit and a now more than thirty-five year career as

editor nd trnsltor with the hktivednt ook Trust, the officil publisher of Prbhupds books.He ws one of the editors of Prbhupds monumentl trnsltion nd commentry on the rmad-

Bhagavatam, in the process gaining valuable insight into his msters method of textul interprettion.

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Following Prbhupds pssing in 1977, he helped complete cntos 10-12 of that work. Since then, hehas worked tirelessly to bring out, via translation and commentary, a number of seminal works of

Viv theology nd spiritulity, perhps the most importnt prior to the present work being his threevolume, 1800-plus pge trnsltion of Sntn Gosvmsr Bhad Bhgavatmta (2002-2006),which includes rendition of the Sntns ownDig-darancommentary. More recently (2007),Gopiprndhns trnsltion of Sntns r Ka-ll-stava has been published.

The publiction by the hktivednt ook Trust of this trnsltion of Jv Gosvms Tattva-sandarbha is an important milestone in the history of ISKCON nd indeed in the Citny Vivmovement s whole. Few would doubt tht Jv ws the most brillint theologin6 of this tradition.JvsBhgavata-sandarbha, of which the Tattva-sandarbha is the first volume, isto reiteratethepreeminent systemtiztion of Guy Viv theology. With the ssistnce of his students t theSrimad Bhagavata Vidyapitha in Govardhan, Gopiparanadhana Dasa is currently engaged in a multi-

year project to produce authentic and careful translations of all six of the Sandarbhas. If the clarity andsensitivity of this, the first outcome of that work, is any indication, devotees and scholars alike have a lot

to look forward to in the coming years.

Lance E. Nelson, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair

Department of Theology and Religious StudiesUniversity of San Diego

5 See Gopprdhn Ds, rl Prbhupd nd the Viv Trdition of Scripturl Commentry: Serving the Words of HisPredecessors,ISKCON Communications Journal 8, 2 (March 2001): 1-8.

6Edwrd C. Dimock, Jr., Doctrine ndPrctice mong the Vivs of engl,History of Religions 3, 1 (Summer 1963): 111.

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