New Dutch Translation of Bhagavad-gita As It Is

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Vrindavana, Gita Jayanti,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

 

 

NEW DUTCH TRANSLATION OF "BHAGAVAD-GITA AS IT IS"

 

May you all be pleased to know that a new Dutch translation of the

"Bhagavad-gita As It Is" was recently published and printed by the Dutch

branch of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). We expect the book to be

available in the Benelux around December 10, 2003.

 

 

REASONS TO RETRANSLATE

 

The reasons for this retranslation are two:

 

1. The first translation was based on the first English Edition.

But because the North American BBT published a second, revised

and enlarged English edition, in 1983, the need arose for a

new and matching Dutch translation.

 

2. Language lives. Periodical retranslations (i.e., fresh

formulations of the same message) are thus necessary to ensure

that texts retain their appeal to contemporary audiences.

Because the first Dutch translation of the "Bhagavad-gita"

appeared over thirty years ago, and since its style and

diction are now felt to be somewhat outdated, if not slightly

archaic, the Dutch BBT was requested to compose a

retranslation that would reflect current style and diction.

 

 

WHAT'S NEW AND DIFFERENT?

 

The main feature of this retranslation is that it has all the benefits

the second English edition has over the first. To summarize,

 

Although in most respects the two editions are the same, the

editors of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust have gone back to the

oldest manuscripts in their archives to make this second edition

even more faithful to Srila Prabhupada's original work. . . .The

result is a work of even greater richness and authenticity. (

"A Note About the Second Edition")

 

This greater richness and authenticity was accomplished by

 

1. Consulting the same Sanskrit commentaries Srila Prabhupada

consulted when writing "Bhagavad-gita As It Is."

 

2. Providing word-for-word Sanskrit-English equivalents that

follow more closely the standard of Srila Prabhupada's other

books, thereby making them more clear and precise.

 

3. Revising the translations to come closer to the original

Sanskrit and to Srila Prabhupada's original dictation.

 

4. Restoring to their places many passages in the Bhaktivedanta

purports which were lost to the original edition.

 

5. Providing full chapter verse references for Sanskrit quotations

whose sources were unnamed in the first edition.

 

A more elaborate explanation is provided in "A Note About the Second

Edition," which appears as a separate appendix in the book. Those

interested in an extensive treatment of the differences between the first

and second English editions of "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" will find more

than 150 examples of the published versions side by side with the text of

the original manuscripts at this address:

 

www.krishna.com/newsite/GitaRevsExplained.html

 

Other new features of the Dutch retranslation are:

 

-- Comprehensive Index of Names.

-- Extended Index of Quoted Verses (with original source of

quotations).

-- Revised and enlarged Glossary.

-- Revised and enlarged General Index.

-- Appendix with appreciations of scholars.

-- New design and layout.

-- 32 Full-color pictures.

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

Many devotees have been involved in the production of this new

translation -- it is the result of a sankirtana-yajna. In acknowledging

their glorious contributions, I would first like to offer my humble and

respectful obeisances unto my beloved spiritual masters: His Holiness

Jayadvaita Swami Maharaja, editor of the second English edition of

"Bhagavad-gita As It Is", and to His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami

Maharaja. Their personal guidance and strong desire to spread Krishna

consciousness has been the major thrust behind this new translation.

 

I next offer my respectful obeisances to His Divine Grace A. C.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of ISKCON and author of

"Bhagavad-gita As It Is," and also to all the previous acaryas in the

disciplic succession through which "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" has been

received.

 

Then I offer my respectful obeisances to the late Hayeshvara Dasa, the

original translator of the Dutch "Bhagavad-gita." For over thirty years

his translation has made Srila Prabhupada's message accessible to the

Dutch-speaking public, and many people have greatly benefitted from his

work. For this he is to be praised.

 

Next I offer offer my respectful obeisances to all the devotees involved

in publishing and distributing "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" and other books

by Srila Prabhupada in many different languages of the world.

 

Then I offer my respectful obeisances and deepest gratitude to the

following devotees who have rendered indispensable devotional service

during the five years it took to complete the work:

 

Dravida Dasa (editorial consultant) -- Tattvavit Dasa (consultant

on the art, layout, and editorial matter) -- Gauranga Premananda

Dasa (fidelity) -- Ekanath Dasa (Sanskrit and editorial

consultant; research) -- Yadurani Devi Dasi (layout and design) --

Bhadranga Dasa (computer support) -- Ekacakragrama Dasa (fidelity

and editing) -- Janmastami Dasa (first editor and proofreader)

Amrta Mani Devi Dasi (proofreading) -- Bhakta Rembert

(proofreading of the transliterated Sanskrit, the Devanagari, and

the Dutch; editing; indexing; fidelity; research, and dear friend

throughout) -- Bhaktin Petra (editing and proofreading) -- Bob v/d

Linden (layout, design, color corrections).

 

Respectful obeisances also to His Grace Madhu Sevita Dasa (Director

Mediterranean BBT), His Grace Nimai Pandit Dasa (Mediterranean BBT), the

staff of the North European BBT, the Bhaktivedanta Archives, and the

ISKCON Radhadesh community in Belgium.

 

Finally, I offer my humble obeisances to the lotus feet of Lord Sri

Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original speaker of

"Bhagavad-gita." Hare Krishna.

 

 

CONTACT ADDRESS

 

In case you'd like to correspond about this new translation or to notify

the publisher of any mistake you've found, kindly direct your message to

 

Rupa Sanatana Dasa (Dutch BBT)

ISKCON Radhadesh

Château de Petite Somme 5

Septon (Durbuy)

6940 Belgium

 

tel. +32 (0)86 32 15 05

email Rupa.Sanatana.JAS (AT) pamho (DOT) net

 

 

TITLE DESCRIPTION

 

Title: Bhagavad-gita zoals ze is

Author: Sri Srimad A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust

© 2003 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.

ISBN 90-70742-28-4

NUR 718, 739

1,056 pages

32 Full-colour illustrations

 

Translated by Rupa Sanatana Dasa (Rogier Vrieling)