[Advaita-l] Translations of the Bhagavata

[jaldhar at braincells.com]

[was: Re: Srimad ParamahaMsa ParivrAjakAchAryavaryavarya]

As this is a different topic, I've changed the subject line.


On Sun, 17 Jul 2022, KAMESWARARAO MULA wrote:

> I will do this  as I too obeseved the activites of ISKCON are detriorating
> day by day in all aspects. Yes, these transalations are unreliable and not
> based the original scriptures. I have only little idea about the Bhagavatam
> & the Trnaslations of the toughest slokas,  The main reason why all people
> (including me) visits the ISKCON Websites is it is reachable in english
> immedaitely although unreliable.
> 
> Pls suggest some books or references which are in english for the
> translation/bhashya of the Bhavgavata which you feel could be usefull and
> reliable.
>

My suggestion is to ditch English and look for a translation in some 
Indian language that you know.  There will be more choices and higher 
quality I'm sure.


Now if you must use English, and I understand why, I'm afraid Prabhupadas 
translation that is readily available.  I should add my objection is not 
only ideological.  The Bhagavata is supposed to be a rasa shastra but 
Prabhupadas translation is clumsy and totally lacking in any poetic 
appeal.  It's weird.  What on earth is a "supreme personality of Godhead" 
for example?  If you mean bhagavan, say bhagavan.

Anyway, to get back to your question.  One book is "The Bhagavata Purana: 
Selected Readings" by Ravi M. Gupta and Kenneth Valpey, (Columbia 
University Press 2017.)

The editors are members of ISKCON but also academics and they've tried to 
give a non-biased translation.  The problem is as the title suggests, it 
is only selected parts, about 10% of the total Bhagavata.

-- 
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>