BRC Annual Report - Final

8/8/2019 BRC Annual Report - Final

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BHAKTIVEDANTA RESEARCH CENTREA project of ISKCON Mayapur

110A Motilal Nehru Road, Kolkata 700 029, WB India

PH: 91 33 4065 / 2475 5216

NEWSLETTERISSUE #1, September 2010

Welcome to our first annual report and newsletter. Its just over a year since the inauguration of

the BRC. We have made good progress, some exciting acquisitions have been donated, and we are full of

plans for the coming year.

In this first annual newsletter you will find an overview of the librarys contents, our plans for

the coming year, details of how to participate in this exciting project through our new membership

scheme, a list of donors, the current staff, a brief history of the BRC with its Aims and Objectives and

finally a list of contacts.


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Library Contents

We have almost 3,500 titles in the library, which is a good start. With the generosity of the

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust we have all the English titles of HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,plus about 25% of the foreign language editions of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. We have also purchased

all the major Puranas and Vedas and some commentaries of Madva and Ramanuja Acaryas.

The most exciting acquisition has been the gift of the private collection of Sri Sundarananda

Vidyavinoda to one of our Advisory Board members, Sripada Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Maharaja.

Sundarananda Vidyavinoda was a Sanskrit professor, disciple and leading editor of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

Sarasvati Thakur, the Founder/ Acarya of the Gaudiya Matha. He was responsible for the publishing of

the Gaudiya, the monthly publication of the Gaudiya Mission.

By the very generous and magnanimous gesture of His Holiness Bodhayan Maharaja, the current

Acarya of the Sri Gopinatha Gaudiya Matha, the BRC was extremely fortunate to be given custody of this

priceless collection consisting of over 2,500 items.


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HH Bodhayan Swami seen here on the right

This achievement has been possible as the result of six years of negotiation by Pranava das from

Sweden, and a disciple of Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaja, as part of the former's research on the life and

works of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Pranava das along with his contacts in Kolkata has also

greatly contributed at all initial stages of screening and handling the library.

Krishnabhishek das was essential in settling the terms of the custody agreement and access to

many precious titles belonging to the private collection of Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaja, who was

one of the editors of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's newspapers and magazines. Krishnabhishek

das also collaborated with the State Central library, Kolkata for professional digitization of some of the

important journals and newspapers.

Among the SVV collection we found some rare treasures

Rare out of print titles such as Bhaktivinoda Thakuras edition ofPadma Purana in Sanskrit;

an original print ofBange Samajikata, the first book written by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in 1899

(aside from his astronomical works);


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samples of the handwriting of both Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati;

a hand written copy ofCaitanya Caritamrta Madhya Lila dating back almost 400 years;


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and most astonishing of all, a copy made by Sundarananda of the personal diary of Srila

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. This diary is now in the process of being published.

There are still many documents, correspondence and other loose records that are yet to be

detailed but the whole collection is one of the most valuable finds we could hope for.

Many of the books are nearing 100 years old and have been caught in the nick of time before

being destroyed by bugs and neglect.

We have just completed cataloguing all of the Sanskrit, Bengali, English and Telegu books in the

collection in MSExcel format, every book has been individually cleaned by hand, and they are now in the

process of being fumigated before being placed on the library shelves.


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The next step is to digitize the collection and then make them available online through the BRC

website. We firmly believe that dissemination is the best way of preservation.

Future Projects

Librarian Bharati Roy is compiling a list of books written by previous Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas,

beginning from the Six Goswamis to Srila Prabhupada and our next task is to ensure a complete

collection of these works on the shelves and computers of the BRC.

It is the aim of the BRC to digitize all our books and make them available online via our

webpage. Although the website is still under construction we are working with Indian library software

NewGenLib to create a complete digital library.

Many titles have already been digitized and the work will be ongoing for many years. Currently

we have one small book scanner but more powerful, automated machines will be added to our library

facility as we get more funding.

The BRC has a number of aims for the coming year:

1) To acquire two new automated book scanners to speed the process of scanning the manythousands of pages of literature.

2) To acquire a suitable vehicle and funding to commence the manuscript retrieval program.3) To increase the book acquisitions4) To complete and put online the new website5) To expand the computer room and server facilities6) To complete some residual renovations to the building7) To begin translation into English and publication of important works, especially by

Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

Vaisnava Manuscript Preservation Project

BRC considers this to be one of its most important projects. In accordance with Srila

Prabhupadas expressed desire from 1972 the BRC intends to start a manuscript retrieval and

preservation project. Many thousands of old manuscripts are lying neglected and forgotten in smalllibraries, temples and homes throughout Bengal, Bangladesh, Orissa and other centers of Gaudiya

Vaisnavism such as Jaipur. Srila Prabhupada referred to these manuscripts as a treasure house of

Vaisnava lore and unless something active is done, it is likely that vast and lasting damage will be done

to this historical body of literature. It is not yet too late to rescue them and the BRC would like to play its

part.


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Collections like SVVs are a small step in this direction. We are aware of several other private

collections that are likely to be scattered or lost completely once the present owners die. With some

resources the BRC can be instrumental in saving them. For the immediate commencement of the project

we need a suitable vehicle and some funding for one or two men to travel on a voyage of discovery

throughout the centers of Gaudiya Vaisnavaism.

Website development

The website is our link with the world. BRC is an international project and a good interface is a

must. The work on the website has already begun but is in need of improvement. We would like ideally

to hire a professional website builder to do the initial stage and then keep on a 'need basis' a qualified IT

person to do maintenance and regular program updates.

Library Services

BRChas already begun to provide services for scholars and researchers worldwide. Requests

have been received and fulfilled for scans of difficult-to-find books.

We can also purchase books on behalf of a researcher and send the physical copy to them,

anywhere in the world. BRC charges a nominal fee for locating and handling publications, as well as the

original cost plus postage. Scanning attracts a nominal fee for the labor and time involved.

Any reader interested in taking advantage of these services can write to our General Manager

Janakaraja dasa for details (see contact information at the end of this report).

Financial AccountsBRC operates as a department of ISKCON Mayapur, a registered charity in India. As such its

accounts are part of the greater ISKCON Mayapur accounting system and they are audited on a monthly

and then a culminative yearly basis. This ensures the integrity of our donors gifts.

Guest House

BRC offers a unique facility of a combination of library and guest house facility. The Gita Bhavanguest house consisting of seven newly renovated rooms with air conditioning, wireless broadband

connections, new attached bathrooms etc. is located under the same roof as the BRC. This affords

members, students and scholars the opportunity to stay in comfort and fully utilize the library

facilities.


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This year we have hosted a number of researchers and scholars such as Smt. Urmila dasi--Dr.

Edith Best, founder of Padma books; Yadunandana Swami, Principle of Bhaktivedanta College in

Belgium; Suresvara dasa, researcher and author; Krsna Ksetra dasaDr. Kenneth Valpey who is

doing research for a translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam to be published by Columbia University

Press; Ananta Sarovar dasi Phd. assisting Krsna Ksetra prabhu; Madhavananda dasa, editor and

publisher of Krsna Kathamrta Bindu; Janananda Goswami; and in addition we have had visits from

HH Bodhayan Swami, Jayadvaita Swami, Radhanatha Swami, Sadhu dasa and several other

interested parties.

Membership

We invite everyone to take this opportunity to participate in the preservation and dissemination

of our Vaisnava philosophy and culture. Many well-wishers have inquired as to how they can help the

work of the BRC. We have therefore created a membership scheme to enable our supporters to

contribute to the development of this important project. In brief we have three types of members

subscription, yearly and patron. We have an Adopt a book scheme; we have specific projects for

donors to contribute to; and we have an Endowment support scheme for the long term financing of the

project.

We are very happy to list here our first members and extend our grateful thanks for their kind and

enthusiastic support:

Patron Membership:HH Bhakti Charu Swami

HG Akrura dasa (Vancouver)

HG Mahesh Advani (Dubai)

HG Ambarish dasa (Gainesville FL)

Yearly Members:

HG Vasudeva dasa (Mayapur)

Sriman Mahidhara dasa and Smt. Nandini dasi

Subscription MembersHG Prahlada Nrsimha dasa (Mayapur)

HG Ramadevi dasi (Mayapur)

HG Gauranga Simha dasa (Mayapur)

BRC would like to also thank the many other generous donors who have given their hard earned

funds to support us in this first year of service.


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JOIN US

Take the unique opportunity of preservingour Vaishnava heritage

MAKE A DONATION

By a gift of money you will help these projects (figures are estimates):

1) Install theft proof display cases for rare books Rs. 4 lakhs ($9,000.00)2) Purchase and maintain a vehicle for field work to locate ancient

manuscripts and rare books in obscure temples and libraries -- Rs. 5 lakhs ($11,000)3) Expansion of the library by further acquisition of important works -- Rs. 3 lakhs ($6,500)4) Construction of a new kitchen and dining facilities for visitors Rs. 5 lakhs ($11,000)5) Website development and maintenance Rs. 1 lakh ($2,200)6) Purchase automated scanning machines -- Rs. 2 lakhs ($4,400)

ADOPT A BOOK

By contributing to Adopt A Book you receive the following acknowledgements (the list is cumulative):

$51 An attractive personalized certificate recording the beneficiarys name and details of the book.

$108 plus the benefactors name will be listed in our newsletter.

$501 plus, three free nights stay at the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre for yourself and a friend where

you will be introduced to your book and given a tour of the facilities.

$1008 plus, choose from our list of very rare books and have your own or designated benefactors

name placed on a plaque with the book in its preservation cabinet.

BECOME A SUBSCRIPTION MEMBER

(Rs. 15,000 per annum)

Subscription members can stay at the Gita Bhavan Guest House at the regular rate, and the

amount of their room rental will be deducted from their total subscription fee. At the end of the

year the Subscription Member may then pay the balance before renewing their new yearly fee.


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If they have paid their full fee before the end of the year, the Subscription member is then

entitled to three free nights in the Guest House plus 10% discount on subsequent occupancy.

BECOME AN ANNUAL MEMBER

($501 per annum)

Members receive a digital newsletter containing:

y information of the recent acquisitions of the BRCy A list of members and book adopteesy Information on all new developments and projects of the BRCy Members are entitled to seven nights free accommodation per annum at the BRCs guest house

and a tour of the library and other BRC facilities. (All rooms have A/C and wireless internet

facilities)

y Members are entitled to 15% discount on room rentals in the Gita Bhavan Guest Housey Members will receive the unlimited blessings of the previous acharyas.

BECOME A PATRON MEMBER(A single donation of $10,001 or above)

Patron members receive all the benefits of membership plus an invitation to become a member of the

Bhaktivedanta Research Centres Advisory Board

ENDOWMENT FUND

The establishment of the Endowment fund is one of our major goals. BRC invites its well-

wishers to create an endowment fund of Rs. 10,000,000.00 (one crore). This will be invested in fixed

deposits or similar financial instrument. The principle will never be spent. Only the interest generated

will be spent. If the interest rate is 7% this will generate approximately Rs.60,000 per month which is the

current monthly budget of the whole operation thus insuring the ongoing operations of the BRC.


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Major Donors to Date

In October 2008 the current BRC Director, Hari Sauri dasa, approached the Mayapur Vrndavana

Trust (MVT) for funding for the new project. The trustees HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Gopal Krishna

Goswami, Sriman Abhiram dasa, Sriman Advaita Candra dasa, Sriman Sesa dasa and Sriman Hari-sauridasa-- gave their enthusiastic support as well as financial backing to the tune of Rs. 27,00,000.00

(approx. $59,000) donation for renovations and establishment of the Bhaktivedanta Research Center

and adjoining Gita Bhavan Guest House, and a further Rs. 5,00,000.00 ($11,000.00) loan.

The Mayapur Administrative Council (MAC), as the controlling body of the building, gave their

approval on December 31st

2008 and work began in late January 2009.

HH Bhakti Charu Swami donated Rs. 5,00,000.00

HH Jayapataka Swami donated Rs. 1,00,000.00


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HG Akrura dasa Adhikari, temple president of ISKCON Vancouver donated Rs. 5,00,000.00

HG Ambarish dasa Adhikari, head of the TOVP project, donated Rs. 5,00,000.00


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The Bombay Bhaktivedanta Book Trust donated all of Srila Prabhupadas English books.

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International (BBTI) donated Rs 1,20,000.00 for book

acquisition.

HH B.B. Bodhayan Maharaja, the present acarya of the Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Matha, presented

the BRC on the first day of Kartika 2009 the entire personal collection of books of Sri SundaranandaVidya Vinoda.

At the same time we have been steadily adding to the Vedic cosmology section and the

Bhagavad-gita library (Srila Prabhupadas Bhagavad-gita in as many languages as are available) and

building up the stock of current Gaudiya Vaisnava authorsHH Bhanu Swami, HH Bhakti Vikash Swami,

HG Gopiparandhana dasa, HG Hari-sauri dasa have all donated sets of their publications for the library.


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THE STAFF

The present staff consists of:

Director -- Hari Sauri das

Academic Director -- Pranava das

Co-Academic Director -- Krishnabhisek das


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General Manager -- Janakaraja das

Head Librarian Smt. Bharati Roy


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In August 1976 Srila Prabhupada told his Bombay Juhu managers to create a Vedic library for the

temple there. He said it should contain all his own books, those of all the acaryas, as well as the

Upanisads and other bone fide Vedic texts. This wish was unfortunately never fulfilled.

In 1975 Srila Prabhupada had discussed with one of his early Phd. Disciples, Ravindra Svarupa

das, the possibility of opening a Vedic university in Mayapur. A preliminary requisite for that would be a

first class library. Again, this project has been on hold for the last 30+ years, until now.

Srila Prabhupada also discussed in detail about his biggest and boldest project, the Mayapur

Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) . He began a strong push to start this largest project in 1977,

shortly before his departure. Now in 2010, the TOVP is finally manifesting and is expected to be opened

around 2016-17. The TOVP will have a state of the art planetarium along with other exhibits, and to

support this, it was clear that a comprehensive library containing all the works on Puranic and

Siddhantic cosmography and astronomy would be required.

In 2008 the Vedic cosmology team were made aware by Acyuta das - who had been working

with Pranava das for a number of years - of a five storey building in central Kolkata which had been

donated to ISKCON Mayapur in 2000 by Mr. Madan Cand Shamsukha. He kindly agreed to facilitate the

library in the building.

At that time Pranava dasa had conceived of a major center for the study of all aspects of

Vaisnava culture and philosophy. Thus the BRC took birth as the combination of the preservation

project, the Vedic library, the TOVP cosmology library, and the Vaisnava studies center.

Hari Sauri das took the initiative at this stage and fulfilled all major practical aspects of this

project by arranging for funding, renovation of the building and has been functioning as managing

director ever since. After six months of hard work the library was officially opened by their Holinesses

Jayapataka and Bhakti Charu Swamis on June 30th

2009. The guest house was completed several months

later and is open for any scholar, student or BRC member.

Janakaraja has joined the team as assistant manager and Bharati Roy as librarian. Pranava das and

Krishnabhishek das are the academic directors.

Aims and Objectives

In a 1974 discussion about forming a legal ISKCON entity in W. Bengal, Srila Prabhupada

approved the following aims to be included in the new entity. As it turned out the registration was never

effected but the aims remain valid and are included in the BRC Aims and Objectives:


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a) To perform extensive research work in Sanskrit and Bengali literature of historic texts ofVaisnavism such as Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta, Bhakti Rasamrtia

Sinduh, etc. and to distribute this research work throughout educational institutions all over the

world, regardless of race, color or creed, and religion.

b) To promote Vedic research work in the area of agriculture and animal husbandry, andalternative energy sources according to the historic Vedic texts for the sound and healthy

development of body, mind, and soul; and to promote and distribute this research work.

c) To perform research work into the ancient Vedic educational schemes such as Gurukula as wellthe development of the individual through yoga and to promote and distribute this research

work throughout India and the world.

Further aims include:

d) To develop a comprehensive library of books on Indian astronomy from the classical to themodern period. The purpose is to explore the development of Indian astronomy and the

perspective of Vedic, Puranic, and Siddhantic cosmology particularly of the Srimad Bhagavatam,

based on original sources in various Indian languages.

e) To develop a Bhagavad Gita library consisting of translations and commentaries on theBhagavad Gita by Vaishnavas acaryas from all over India, both in English, Sanskrit and vernacular

languages like Bengali, Hindi, Tamil and Gujarati. The collection will also include all translations

of Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita As It Is in all available languages of the world.

f) To collect, preserve and digitize literature of Gaudiya Vaishnavism from the period of SriCaitanya Mahaprabhu to the present. This effort includes location of old manuscripts in the

libraries, homes and Maths of Bengal, Bangladesh and Orissa and other centers of Gaudiya

Vainavism such as Vrndavana, Jaipur etc.

g) To facilitate research on the above library according to the following aims:a. To encourage and carry out the study, translation and research on the above texts, and

to publish literature of high academic and devotional standard from the Centre.

b. To create good facilities for scholars, researchers and its members to stay at the Centreand study at the library.

c. To hold seminars, courses and lectures on the content of the library, thus publicizingthe value of the knowledge collected.


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The BRCs Aims and Objectives were also inspired by the Aims of the Vishva Vaishnava Raja

Sabha, an organization set up by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and later revived and incorporated into the

structure of the Gaudiya Matha by its Founder/Acarya Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:

Vishva Vaishnava Raja Sabha aims:

In the charter of the Sabha mentioned in the Sajjanatoshani, here quoted from the

Sarasvati Jaya Sri, six areas of service (seva) were to be developed by respective working

committees (mandali), a plan that could be applied on a global scale:

1)Manada Mandali, making arrangements for worship of images (murti) and caring for Krsna

bhaktas.

2)Sri Krishna Caitanya Pracara (missionary activities), a committee or mandaliwith three

divisions:

a) Nama (sacred name). Travelling around the world and performing nagar sankirtan--

literally 'community kirtana in the village'--speaking the Bhagavata Purana to the masses, and

serving the gurus of the movement. The members of this subcommittee would go to far off

places for missionary purposes, lecturing and publicly singing the names of Radha and Krsna.

b) Sastra Pracara (mission related to texts). Collecting the texts of the Caitanya line and

publishing, distributing and preserving them. This subcommittee works to keep old writings in a

safe condition and reprint them, as well as research the history of these books and their

writers.

c) Sastra Siksya (textual instructions). Systematic study ofbhaktiliterature. This

subcommittee will give regular lectures to students about Vedanta, the art of devotion and hold

regular examinations as well.

3)Jijasa (inquisitive) Mandali: for evaluating the character, background, nature of a person

before assigning a service for the movement.

4)Pasandadalan (deviation) Mandali: defending bhaktifrom arguments which are against the

general conclusions presented in the canonical Caitanyaite texts.

5) Utsava (celebrations) Mandali: arranging large festivals on particular occasions related to

sacred images, prominent Vaisnava personalities, etc.


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6)Bhaktyanusana Mandali: Maintaining ancient sacred places and opening new temples and

other facilities. This committee also supervised travelling for the sake of opening new Vaisnava

centres.

Items 2 b) and c), and items 4) are of particular interest to the BRC objectives.

CONTACTS

We hope you are inspired by this new project, a long overdue offering to Srila Prabhupada and our

previous acaryas and a legacy for all future generations of Vaisnavas to appreciate and benefit from.

Please contact us for information on any aspect of the BRC:

Website: www.brconline.co.in

Email: [email protected]

Mail: 110A Motilal Nehru Road, Kolkata 700 029, W.B. India.

General Manager Janakaraja das:

Ph: +91 8013342700

[email protected]

[email protected]

Director Hari Sauri dasa:

Ph: +91 9830120437

[email protected]

[email protected]

General Inquiries:

91 33 40656198

91 33 24755216

BRC Annual Report - Final

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