An inquiry regarding the translation of Bhagavad-gita 17.9/Consulta sobre la traducción del Bhagavad-gita 17.9
Hare Krishna, Gurudev.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am writing to you because, while reading the Bhagavad-gita (Chapter 17, Text 9), where the foods dear to each mode of nature are described, I noticed a detail in the translation of certain Sanskrit terms that I would humbly like to share with you.
From my familiarity with Ayurveda, where the twenty attributes (gunas) and the six tastes (rasas) are studied, I understand that these terms have very specific meanings. In the word-for-word translation of the verse, I noticed that:
- The term katu is translated as "bitter," when traditionally tikta is "bitter," and katu refers to "pungent."
- In turn, the word tiksna is translated as "pungent," when its meaning within the gunas is closer to "intense," "sharp," or "penetrating."
This led me to wonder, with all due respect, if the BBT's translation team is aware of these nuances and maintains them for a specific reason, or if it is something that might be considered for future editions.
Of course, this observation is purely technical and does not at all impede the transmission of Srila Prabhupada's instruction, nor does it diminish the immense potency of the Bhagavad-gita. I am simply sharing it as a reflection that arose from my study, with no intention of offending anyone.
Thank you very much, Gurudev.
Your servant,
Nikunja Bihari das.
HpS - Hare Krsna. Thank you very many! Maybe these are English word usages that were prominent during the time of Bhaktisiddhant Sarasvati.
For example, I think at that time one might say that he went into the Bosses office and he was, "making love to his secretary". In current common English that my community uses, this would be interpreted as complete physical, sexual interaction, but at the time of Bh. Siddhanta, beginning of the 20th century (India) it would mean by what my community means, "flirting, hitting on her", verbal interplay.
Where are the translations you are using coming from?
Is very nice, practical discussion.
Hare Krishna, Gurudev.
Por favor, acepte mis humildes reverencias.
Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.
Le escribo porque, mientras leía el Bhagavad-gita (capítulo 17, texto 9), donde se describen los alimentos preferidos en cada modalidad, noté un detalle en la traducción de ciertos términos en sánscrito que me gustaría compartir humildemente con usted.
Desde mi familiaridad con el Ayurveda, donde se estudian los veinte atributos (gunas) y los seis sabores (rasas), entiendo que estos términos tienen significados muy específicos. En la traducción palabra por palabra del verso, noté que:
- El término katu se traduce como "amargo", cuando tradicionalmente tikta es "amargo" y katu se refiere a lo "picante".
- A su vez, la palabra tiksna se traduce como "picante", cuando su significado dentro de las gunas es más cercano a "intenso", "penetrante" o "agudo".
Esto me llevó a preguntarme, con todo respeto, si el equipo de traducción del BBT es consciente de estos matices y los mantiene por alguna razón específica, o si es algo que podría considerarse para futuras ediciones.
Por supuesto, esta observación es puramente técnica y no impide en absoluto la transmisión de la instrucción de Srila Prabhupada ni opaca la inmensa potencia del Bhagavad-gita. Simplemente lo comparto como una reflexión surgida de mi estudio, sin intención de ofender a nadie.
Muchas gracias, Gurudev.
Su sirviente,
Nikunja Bihari das.
