Editor’s Preface [Volume 2]

It is our great, good fortune to present to Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja the first English edition of his translation of Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpāda’s Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta, with commentary by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpāda. Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta is the first, and the foundation, of the famous Gosvāmī granthas, or literature produced approximately 500 years ago in Vṛndāvana by the followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This translation has come about only by Śrīla Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s ardent desire. Whenever he has had time in the course of his traveling, preaching, and writing, he has affectionately inquired into the book’s progress and has given valuable guidance and insights into the profound nature of this incomparable treatise. It is our prayer that this translation conveys the beauty and depth of Śrīla Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s realized understanding that suffuses the Hindi edition.

The particular pūrva-pakśā style of Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpāda’s writing has already been explained in the author’s Preface. In pursuance of the mood of this question-and-answer format, which is expressed in the Sanskrit with the word nanu and in the Hindi with the term yadi kaho ki, we have presented the pūrva-pakśā as a dialogue between the various personalities of this story.

Śrīla Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja has written a bhāvānuvāda of Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpāda’s commentary that is entitled Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā. Because the Sanskrit is often very concise, explanatory terms make it more accessible. Bhāvānuvāda is translated as an ‘expanded commentary,’ or ‘translation in essence.’

It also bears mention that Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta is simultaneously both the transcendental story of Śrī Gopa-kumāra’s attaining the perfection of his heart’s desire–his loving relationship with Śrī Kṛṣṇa–and a presentation of fundamental spiritual truths, or sambandha jñāna. To preserve the accuracy of the sometimes complex aspects of the book, we have used many of the original Sanskrit terms along with their translated meanings. We hope this aids the reader in a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Where verses have not been fully referenced, it is because Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpāda did not include their details. In these cases, we have simply left them as they are.

The production of Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta has been a service of many years, and it is impossible to properly acknowledge all those who have contributed their time and talents. Out of humility, some have asked that their names be withheld, but we are indebted to everyone. The following persons are especially appreciated:

The English translation was done by Śrīpāda B.V. Viṣṇudaivata Mahārāja. Our editorial consultants were Śrīpāda B.V. Mādhava Mahārāja, Amala-kṛṣṇa dāsa, Mādhava-priyā dāsa, Vijaya-kṛṣṇa dāsa, Prema-prayojana dāsa, and Gaura-prīyā dāsī. English editors were Mañjarī dāsī, Sarvabhavana dāsa, and Kundalatā dāsī. Contributing editors were Vaijayantī-māla dāsī, Bhadra dāsī, and Mādhavendra Purī dāsa. Hindi editors were Śrīpāda B.V. Viṣṇudaivata Mahārāja, Viṣṇu dāsa, Janakī dāsī, Akhileśa dāsa, Mukunda Datta dāsa, and Paṇkaja dāsa. Sanskrit Editors were Śrīpāda B.V. Bhāgavata Mahārāja, Śrīpāda B.V. Viṣṇudaivata Mahārāja, Giridhārī dāsa, and Parameśvari dāsa. Proofreading was done by Śyāmarāṇī dāsī, Vaijayantī-mālā dāsī, Śānti dāsī, Sulatā dāsī, Bernie, Govinda dāsa, and Vaṃśidhāra dāsa. Jaya-gopalā dāsa provided technical support. Additional help was given by Mukunda dāsa. Brajanātha dāsa has consistently supported and encouraged the publication.

Our art director, designer, and print production coordinator was Kṛṣṇaprema dāsa. Layout was done by Kṛṣṇa-karuṇya dāsa, who was assisted by Jayadeva dāsa and Anaṅga-mohan dāsa. The fine art director was Śyāmarāṇī dāsī, who was assisted by Premavatī dāsī, Harernāmānanda dāsa, and Śilpakāriṇī dāsī. Vidhī-bhakti dāsī was a contributor. The cover painting artist is Sarasvatī dāsī. The back cover is from the British Library Oriental Office Collection, © The British Library Board Add.Or. 4838.

In addition, our translation endeavor has greatly benefited from the meticulously edited BBT edition of Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta by Śrī Gopīparanadhāna dāsa.

We hope our readers take transcendental pleasure in Śrī Bṛhadbhāgavatāmṛta. If there are mistakes, may they kindly overlook them. In this Kāratīka month of 2010, may Śrīla Nārāyaṇa Gosvami Mahārāja mercifully accept this offering.

Dāsānudāsī,
Mañjarī dāsī
Editorial Coordinator