Originally I wrote Bhagavad-gita As It Is in the form in which it is presented now. When this book was first published, the original manuscript was, unfortunately, cut short to less than 400 pages, without illustrations and without explanations for most of the original verses of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.
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In all of my other books—Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Isopanisad, etc.—the system is that I give the original verse, its English transliteration, word-for-word Sanskrit-English equivalents, translations and purports. This makes the book very authentic and scholarly and makes the meaning self-evident. I was not very happy, therefore, when I had to minimize my original manuscript. But later on, when the demand for Bhagavad-gita As It Is considerably increased, I was requested by many scholars and devotees to present the book in its original form, and Messrs. Macmillan and Co. agreed to publish the complete edition. Thus the present attempt is to offer the original manuscript of this great book of knowledge with full parampara explanation in order to establish the Krsna consciousness movement more soundly and progressively.
Preface from 1972 Macmillan Gita.
[signed] A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
12 May 1971
Sydney, Australia
Note: So when Prabhupada says: “The next printing should be again to the original way.” HE MEANS THE 1972 WAY!!!! As he above confirms that the 1972 Gita is the book in its original form ….. the original manuscript of this great book of knowledge.
Hari Bol Prabhu,
I have responded to this link of Makhancora Dasa of InBliss: https://www.inbliss.org/home/why-are-the-original-books-changed
This is my comment:
Hari Bol!
I also saw this conversation about manuscript vs 1972 edition.
How about this explanation by Mukunda Dasa:
https://truth.prabhupada.org.uk/the-bhagavad-gita-as-it-is-manuscript-scam-smashed-by-prabhupada
This is what he says:
The original way, as Srila Prabhupada meant, was the 1972 version.
The first print was the 400 page version which was not complete. When the demand grew, it was decided to print the original version and that is the 1972 one.
Now it is more clear, we should not write whole stories about why, also the 1972 one is not the original version either. Why? Because you give those book changers the approval: Yes, you see, the 1972 one is also not the original ones.
I am sure you Prabhu’s do not want that or do you?
Thanks again!
Hare Krishna!
Thanks for your service.