India has asked Russia to drop a court case against a translation of the Bhagavad Gita, while Russian ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin criticised as “madmen” those from the Siberian city of Tomsk who have sought a ban on the scripture which is part of the Mahabharata.
Hours before Mr. Kadakin released the statement in Mumbai late on Monday night, a Russian court adjourned the case till December 28 to hear the views of Indologists from Moscow and the Russian ombudsman on the Bhagavad Gita and the minority rights.
Embassy moves officials
The Indian embassy in Moscow took up the matter with senior Russian officials, seeking the government's favourable and positive intervention, Indian ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra said.
State prosecutors in Tomsk are seeking a ban on the Bhagavad Gita, alleging that it promoted extremism and sowed social discord.
Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin earlier said the attempt to ban the book amounted to infringement of the constitutional right to the freedom of consciousness.
Prosecutors said it was not the original Bhagavad Gita that they found offensive, but some commentaries allegedly insulting non-believers in the book written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The case is built on testimony from local professors of philosophy and philology that the book expresses religious hatred and discriminates on the basis of gender, race, nationality and language. Mr. Malhotra raised a strong objection to the charges.
Keywords: Russia, Bhagwad Gita translation, ISKCON, Lord Krishna, Holy Text, religious freedom, Siberian court, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Indian philosophy
I've had the opportunity to actually read some of the books published
by ISKCON, many authored by Prabhupada himself. While these books
borrow the main theme from the original Gita, they also contain much
content that is not in the original Gita, but are merely Prabhupada's
views and commentary. I have, for example, found some of his personal
views openly unscientific - he denies the scientific truth of
evolution by natural selection, for example, while the original Gita
itself has nothing to say of this matter.
That said, I am not saying that the court should ban books. Censorship
is bad for freedom no matter which country does it: be it Russia and
the Gita, or India and books by Salman Rushdie, books on Shivaji etc.
The brouhaha over the petition lying before Russian Court to ban the commentaries of ISKCON head on Gita seems inflated as Gita with the original version is not put under the legal scanner nor does it face any disrespect as such. A trenchant analysis of the Bakthivedanta Swami Prabhupada's version alone may throw light on its latent grains, if any, those strike a discordant note with the original Gita or otherwise. Sadly, we are vulnerable to be dragged into the whirlpool of religious frenzy on sensitive matters and lose cool.
Why India should protest? First thing it is not India's concern what Russia or another country do there as long as it does not do any harm. Secondly, if we take up this issue it shows that we are not secular but biased towards Hindu religion however much the protagonists of Gita may say it's importance is universal. Any religion can say their's is universal. Government is playing to the gallery.
It is regretful to note that our Central Government authorities are delaying the matter on bannig of our Hindu scripture Bagwad Gita by Russia. We should intervene in this regard without further delay, as it will mar our status of culture, because this sacred book is pure and divine.
The charges are false. Praphupad's bhagwat gita is the most authentic
one. It does not promote hatred among ay religion. In fact Praphupad's
bhagwat gita is the only one which says all religions are one and for
the same purpose. That is why it is accepted throughout the world.
There more christians followers in the world of This particular
addition of bhagwat gita than hindu followers only because it does not
promote hatred. Earlier russians (communists) promoted that there is
no god to have their monopoly. Now they are threatened by the
spreading of bhagwat gita and are thinking that their rule might be in
danger. Within ten years srila prabhpad constructed 110 ISKCON temples
across the world and preached throughout the world and visited whole
world for 14 times within ten years from his age being 70-81. He was
the first one to take real vedic culture to the west. Why would an old
man go to the west at 70???
When people adopt so many things from the foreign country like food
style, lifestyle, technology and other things. Why we adopt this
knowledge of Bhagavad gita what's wrong is adopting bhagavad gita the
book of knowledge? Think a bit. Infact the author of the book
Bhagavad gita As it is says " This book does not speak about hinduism
it speaks about the duty of a human beings" he says this books is the
law book human beings. First we all should read bhagavad gita only
then we can speak for it because we will know what is there in it, if
we ourselves dont know whats there in it then how will we protect it.
Commentaries are commentaries. There is no need to thrust someone's version of truth on others. Iskcon can and should work back home in India rather than fighting to make siberan folks believe in their version of the Gita.
Truth is a court in Tomsk ( Siberia) cannot ban the book across Russia. These news are being planted in the Indian media by Western Govts. These are the same Govts who are against Russian nuclear plants coming up in Tamil Nadu . They are against Indo Russian friendship . That`s why they planted this news just when the Prime Minister has concluded his Russia visit.
"Prosecutors said it was not the original Bhagavad Gita that they found offensive, but some commentaries allegedly insulting non-believers in the book written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON." This is entirely believable for anyone who has read Prabhupada, but of course this absolutely critical detail is being conveniently suppressed in the current orgy of egomaniacal passions that the Gita counsels us to master.
It is interesting that "it was not the original Bhagavad Gita that they found offensive, but some commentaries". There have been several translations of the Gita, starting from the Soviet era translations and communist-style commentaries that could offend many Indians, make them laugh or astonished. Anybody who compared these hugely different and sometimes absolutely contradicting translations would be utterly perplexed and would be eventually urged to... learn Sanskrit.
The Prosecutors have said they don't offend the original Gita, but some commentaries allegedly insulting non-believers in the book written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). We should not be driven by emotions and sentiments, I think the Government has to go through that book first before making a demand,especially when they have made clear that they don't offend original Gita.
Before asking Russia to withdraw the ban on our sacred cows, can we please first look at removing the ban on many books in India? There are still quite a number of books that remain banned in individual states and the country as a whole. Censorship in India is quite prevalent and freedom of speech is not respected and protected. Authors of controversial books have received death threats and some have even faced violent attacks. Lets clean up our own house before asking others to do the same.
Never mind the controversy.Follow the essence of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, in real time LIFE,instead of wasting time and energy over some (poor)men who need longer ropes to entangle themselves in self made web,before they come back to Gita or any other scripture/s, seeking deliverance.Then the world around will be a far better place to live than it is today.
To everybody taking this issue seriously (wat?), plz take a deep breath and get back to ur work!! This one is pointless. The ban was not on the Bhagwad gita itself but its on one of the translations from Mr. Prabhupad (the CEO of ISKCON). Dont expect the Siberians to recite Gita as we hardly know any of their cultural values, plus there are more polar bears than people in Siberia and the ban by their Govt. would'nt really affect any cultural values to a great extent. Do not spoil our relationship with our trust-worthy Russian friends for a petty issue. To, The Hindu, i personally think this article is not worth to be on the first page. Do not lose ur standards for the sake of a small section of people.
I think it is not fair for India to involve in such matters, It is
absolutely Russia's internal issues. It is their will and wish to
decide on the matter. I feel that, Russian leaders may have negative
attitude towards India. Both countries enjoy privilege status one
another, it is both side's responsibility to make sure it is not
tained
The Bhagavad Gita of Srila Prabhupada is the most popular edition of the Bhagavad Gita throughout the world. It has been translated into several world-languages. There is no instance of the Bhagavad Gita having sown discord anywhere in the world.
In fact the Bhagavad Gita preaches the most universal values that all living entities are spirit souls whose prime duty is to be engaged in loving devotional service to God. When you love God, automatically you love all the other living entities who are His children.
Who can be offended by such a message of universal love and brotherhood?
The attempt to ban the Gita is ridiculous and violates the Russian constitution as well as universal human rights to free speech, expression, and religion. It should be thrown out of court. However, it is true that many people outside of India are first introduced to the Gita through through these Krishna translations which have a specific agenda and do not represent the majority of Hindus or Indian philosophy.
This is what you get in reciprocation from these Russians.
India had/has given them Carte blanche to sell and freely distribute and subsidize their communist propaganda material in all our cities, towns and sent them also to our public libraries, translated in most of our languages.
Shame on us, shame on our leaders who don’t have guts.
I dont understand why people are so stupid.
If you really have faith and respect GIta, go to place where it is
respected.Why simply making nonsense about it.Why should we(Secular
indian government) ask some other country to change law? If you don
like it and cant adjust, come back.
Dont forget "be a roman in Rome."
Sir.
It is essential that we allow those who want to understand the chronology of human advancement into thought process have everything available to them to synthesize a sensible way for the future. It is unfortunate that those who are clamoring for free speech in an unequal world are promoting only a certain set of thought and are muffling others by promoting hatred against them in the hope that the domination of their thoughts will ensure their position safe in the future. World has come to this brink for this reason, and to continue with it will bring more disasters the like of which is never seen. Open unbiased minds alone can reach the truth and bring real peace and progress to this world. Real liberty, success and victory comes out of Truth and not through perjury prejudices and propaganda
The Indian media needs to make it clear that it is NOT the Bhagvad Geeta that is being prosecuted but Swami Prabhupada's translation, with commentary, which I think, he has very honestly titled, "Bhagvad Geeta : As I See It." This is an important distinction. Between my father & I, we own 30 separate translations/translations-with-commentaries of the B.G., and even though, as a hindu, there is a special place in my heart for the Scripture, I have to admit that the quality of the versions is uneven - & yes, I have my favorites. Let us not forget as Indians the long & divisive cultural battles between the shaivites & the vaishnavs in our own country, and the not insignificant bloodshed that accrued thereof. I don't particularly like Prabhupada's version - for some of the reasons the prosecutors seem to have raised - though some of my friends, who are part of ISKCON, swear by it. To each his own : I don't think this should be an issue for hindus, except those who owe allegiance to ISKCON!
A strong opposition should be mounted against russian anti bhagavat gita statements, even if it comes from professeurs of philosophy or philologists of russian camp, because it's understood by all - and especially the hindus & indians who believe in God and all - it's the summum bonum of man's utmost consiousness. In fact, Bhagavat gita fosters universal love and amity among all humain beings.
So stand steadfast in opposing any judegemnet on the part of siberian judicial authorities.
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