Brahma-samhita translation and purports by Bhaktivinoda Thakura

[Guest guest]

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

When I was in Vrindavan last Gaura-Purnima, I found a translation of

Brahma-samhita, which was another English translation from the same original

Bengali version of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. This book is published by a

branch of the Gaudiya Matha.

 

I therefore wonder why the BBT version, and the version in the Vedabase, has

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura mentioned as its author. According

to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja himself the book was translated

by " one of his [bhaktivinoda's] devout followers". This can be found on

page xiv of the BBT publication (Foreword).

 

"The publisher is carried away to the realm of gratitude when his store of

publication are scrutinized. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given an elucidatory

purport of the conception of the most sublime fountainhead of all entities

in Bengali, and one of his devout followers has rendered that into English

for propagatory purpose."

 

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati refers to himself in this paragraph as "the

publisher", and the translator, whose name is not mentioned, as "one of his

devout followers". The author, who gave "an elucidatory purport" was

Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

 

Should we not correct the situation and mention Bhaktivinoda Thakura as the

original author, and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura as the publisher?

 

Your servant,

bhakta Ivar.