Original Books Identification Table

How to identify Srila Prabhupada’s pre-1978 first edition original books?

Hare Krishna. The following difference chart will help all devotees to identify Srila Prabhupada’s pre-1978 first edition original books against the unauthorised edited versions. Please note that “pre-1978 first editions” are the ones authorised by Srila Prabhupda. There were attempts to change his books even in his physical presence, for example, first 4 cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam were edited for the second time during 1976 without the authorisation from Srila Prabhupada.

Note 1 : In the 2nd column(revised edition coulmn), we have included as many changed books as possible for every original book. In any case if a book is seen which has another cover photo than the original book, it should be noted that the book having a different cover than the original book is a revised edition. Hence, the devotees are requested to read only those books which fall under the “First edition pre-1978” category.

Note 2: Many devotees are purchasing the 10 volume set of Srimad Bhagavatam, which is claimed to be an “Original Set”. It consists of 10 Cantos and Krsna book(1970 Edition). While the Krsna Book is the original 1970 edition, it should be noted that the first 4 cantos of the 10 volume set were revised for the second time during 1976 in Srila Prabhupada’s presence. It is advisable to purchase the first edition sets (30 volume sets). To see the changes in Srimad Bhagavatam, please click the following link:

http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/books/dspobfco.html

The so called 'Original 10 Volume Srimad Bhagavatam' does not contain many of the 1972 onward original prints, therefore the devotees are advised to purchase the 30 volume original set.

Let us read what Srila Prabhupada said regarding these changes:

“Yes, there is no need for corrections for the first and second Cantos. Whatever is there is alright. Once Pradyumna comes to join me here from India, then there will be no need for Nitai das or Jagannatha das to edit the Srimad-Bhagavatam. “(Letter to Radhavallabha, May 4, 1976)

Hence, the devotees are advised to read the first editions printed from 1972 for the first four cantos.

Note 3: Regarding the book “Easy Journey To Other Planets”, it is advisable to read the first edition that was published in 1960, and the first editions approved by Srila Prabhupada published by the ISKCON Press. This book had gone through some changes later on which Srila Prabhupada did not approve.

“Regarding Easy Journey. I may inform you that whatever is written there is authoritative. The information contained in EJ is contained in various Vedic literatures. In Bhagavad-gita as well as in SrimadBhagavatam it is clearly indicated that beyond this visible space there is another spiritual space which is eternally existant. Modern astronomers & scientists have no information of the extent of this visible space. And what can they speak of what is beyond this visible space? Therefore our movement is novel. God is living, He has got a particular place & anyone who is God conscious can approach it in this very life. One of our students, Brahmananda, appreciated very much this discovery. He wrote to me a letter that my delivery of this information has given them life—that God is not only alive, but that we can go & live with Him. So what is applicable to Brahmananda is applicable to all sincere souls & we have to present this to the whole world very nicely.” [Letter to Janardana -- Delhi 30 September, 1967]

This shows that his 1960 edition is authoritative.

"Prabhupāda: He cannot see mistake. He is mistake. (laughter) He should . . . that is being done by this rascal. I don't want. And the Hayagrīva has . . . the Easy Journey, he has changed so many things. That . . . he is now bad character. You should not maintain him."

[Conversation A ,MAYAPUR - February 27, 1977]

The above conversation provides enough proof to stick to the 1960 edition.