BÁBÁ
Watch out: Distortion in S-12, Ch-4(E)
Namaskár,
It is sad that in our Ánanda Márga books, distortion is quite common. If you read carefully, you can catch the locations of distortion yourself-- you'll feel that "something is wrong here". When in the para certain ideas are missing, then the para becomes convoluted. And in result, readers cannot understand the subject. Due to this, often readers just think in their mind that "The subject is too tough, that's why I cannot understand." And thinking this, either they skip the para or stop reading. But in reality the main cause of such convoluted sections in the discourse is distortion-- distortion which may have been brought about by the publishers knowingly or unknowingly. And often, due to this distortion, the subject matter becomes convoluted.
Here below is one significant example. The discourse “How an Ideal Person Should Live” has been given by Bábá in Bangla in Calcutta, in 1979. The discourse was published in Bangla in Subháśita Saḿgraha part 12 chapter 4, and from there was translated into English and published in the English version of the volume, SS12-04 (E).
Analogy of dying lady left out (see yellow)
(of S-12 Ch-4 (E) book)
Near the end of the discourse, a large two-page section of the original published Bangla version was left out en bloc from the English publication. To give English readers a sense about the meaning of the left out section, here below is the rough idea of one small para from that large left out section. It represents a mere 15% of the total missing section. I’ve written this small portion in English myself, to give you a sense of what is missing:
Bábá says in Bangla, In one family, the grandmother was on her deathbed. All her grandsons, granddaughters, and entire family of kith and kin, had come to pay their last visit. All were surrounding her. The grandmother was busy asking them about what has been cooked, whether the room has been swept or not, and whether everyone has taken bath or not. Hearing this, the family members requested, “Ma!, Shanta Hari Hari.” She ignored this, and asked her next question as to whether the cows are being fed or not. All wanted that Grandmother should repeat the name of Hari so that she will get salvation. So they reminded her again, “Ma, all house chores are happening daily. So you need not worry about that. Just chant the name of Hari.” Grandmother ignored them and went on to ask whether the animals had been fed. Then again her relatives requested, “Ma! Hari Hari.” Hearing this, the old woman got frustrated. She yelled at everyone, “Get out from here, such a long name I cannot recite.
Here below is a scan of the published Bangla discourse “How an Ideal Person Should Live”, with a red line outlining the section that is missing in the English edition. The entire section starting with the red line on the left hand page, and extending through the remainder of the left side page as well as the entire right side page from top to bottom, is missing from the English edition. (To see the scan of the English edition where the below large section is left out, please scroll down.)
See below scan of Bangla edition of SS12-04 (B), showing in red, the section which is missing from English edition (English scan further down below.)
(1)
See above scan of Bangla edition of SS12-04 (B), showing in red, the section which is missing from English edition (See the below English scan.)
This discourse “How an Ideal Person Should Live”, is very poorly translated from Bangla to English. It may be that there are a number of such large sections missing from the English edition.
Conclusion: careless translation
Baba delivered the discourse in Bangla. And in the Bangla version of the published discourse it is printed properly. But our Tiljala Publishers carelessly translated it into English. And in so doing, they left out approximately 30% of Baba’s spoken discourse. It is sad that this type of carelessness is going on. We have to save the discourses of our Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. It is obvious that depending on our Tiljala Publishers, is not a good idea.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Biresh Mitra
Ánanda Márga Scripture: Responsibility of Ánanda Márgiis
Bábá says, “The scriptures containing spiritual injunctions must be totally flawless.” (3) So as Ánanda Márgiis, we must take this very seriously and work together to make the printed version of Bábá's discourses perfect. By such examples as the above, it becomes clear we cannot merely sit back and expect that with time the Tiljala Publishers will fix everything.
Márgiis have been pointing out to our Tiljala Publishers, the distortions in our publications for years, but there is no sign of fixing the discourses going on. The Tiljala group whatever they spend all their time and resources on these days, if instead they had utilized these in fixing Bábá's discourses, then their efforts would have been worthwhile. When our Publishers are not fixing the discourses, then it falls upon Ánanda Márgiis to come forward, create pressure for change, and help in the rectification of our scripture.
Note 1: Here below is a scan of the page of the English edition of SS12-04 (E), from which several of Baba’s paragraphs are missing. In this missing section, Bábá has given a very lucid story related with dying patients, in addition to important related teachings. But unfortunately, due to distortion that story and its associated teachings have been lost from the English printing of the discourse SS12, ch 4. Please see the below scan. The red mark indicates where the large section spoken by Baba should have appeared; but it is missing.
See below scan of English edition of SS12-04 (E), showing in red, the location of large missing section
(2)
See above scan of English edition of SS12-04 (E), showing in red, the location of large missing section
Note 2: In order to make Bábá’s teachings distortion-free, please forward this posting to the respected Tiljala Publications Secretary, dada Mantreshwarananda ji <Mantreshwarananda@hotmail.com>, and to respected dada Acyutananda ji, <acyutananda1@gmail.com>. As well, please send this posting to <hariishananda@gmail.com> and <acaryarudrananda@gmail.com>.
Note 3: S-12 and SS-12 both refer to Subháśita Saḿgraha.
References
1. Tiljala Publications, "Ádarsha Mánuśer Jiivanacaryá Keman haoyá ucita" , Subháśita Saḿgraha part 12, ch 4.
2. Tiljala Publications, “How an Ideal Person Should Live”, Subháśita Saḿgraha part 12, ch 4.
3. “Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued)”, Namah Shiváya Shántáya
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