Let's learn from history

[Guest guest]

On 24 Sep 1999, Kunti dd wrote:

 

 

>

> An article in the latest issue of the Journal of Vaisnava Studies (8.1,

> 1999, p. 59) begins by stating, "Controversies of all sorts abound in

> Vaisnava as in other traditions." Derrida is then quoted saying that rather

> than "religions" there are, for him, "tensions, heterogeneity, disruptive

> volcanos..." And this verse spoken by Yuddhisthira Maharaja and found in

> the Vana-parva of the MBh (not in the Critical Edition) is cited thereafter:

> tarko 'pratisthah srutayo vibhinna

> nasav munir yasya matam na bhinnam

> dharmasya tattvam nihitam guhayam

> mahajano yena gatah sa panthah

>

> "Logical argumentation has not foundation. The scriptures are divided.

> "He whose opinion is not different [from that of all other munis] is not an

> intellectual.

> "The truth of dharma is hidden in a cave (the heart; it's esoteric).

> "The path is that by which great souls have gone."

>

> your servant,

> Kunti dd

>

>

 

Dear Mataji,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

Of course, you are probably already aware of it, but this verse cited in the

Journal of Vaishnava Studies article (was it really?), appears to have been

quoted from the Subramanian edition of Mahabharata. The actual translation, by

Srila Prabhupada, follows:

 

"Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not

differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the

Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which

religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles

is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated self-realized person. Consequently,

as the shastras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the

mahajanas advocate."

 

So, you see, it's not esoteric. The 'cave' is simply a blunder in

Subramanian's translation. A rather big blunder, I think. The translation

cited in the article is an awful departure from the actual meaning of the

verse. The Prabhupad's translation is so nice, isn't it? A mahajana

translation.

 

 

 

Your servant,

 

Pancha Tattva dasa