The Book Distribution Marathon has started. As we all are aware, that Srila Prabhupada gave utmost importance to Book Distribution. His books have changed the lives of innumerable people. Here are a few quotes of by Srila Prabhupada in the said context:
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Tripurari dasa, 12th November 1974: “This book selling is the real preaching of our cult. Especially when you sell Caitanya-caritamrta and Srimad-Bhagavatam. They will understand what we mean by reading these books."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Amogha dasa, 18th February 1976: “I have received a letter from Gopala Krsna wherein he states that you are distributing our books to libraries. That is solid. Simply by bluffing words these bogus gurus and yogis are actually accomplishing nothing. But when the people read our books then they will get good opinion.”
Let us try our best to please Srila Prabhupada by distributing his valuable devotees to at least one person in this month.
Here are a few book distribution stories. Enjoy the transcendental nectar.
How to Distribute Many Books
I always remember Prabhupada's words "think big". If I want to distribute many books, first I count how many books I want to distribute, how many points I want to win. For example, I make my plan to distribute 100 books a day. Then I take with me 100 books. The more you take, the more you distribute. Remember, books of Krishna do not like to lie in your bag, and psychologically you do not like your bag is heavy. Therefore you try to distribute them as soon as possible. To become relieved from transcendental duty. Also out of compassion to Krishna Who lies in Your bag. Every time I take as many books as I want to distribute. Also if I want to distribute only "Shrimad-Bhagavatam", then I take 100 books of "Shrimad-Bhagavatam". Some books are more easy to distribute, some are more difficult, because they are personalities. "Prabhupada" book is very very merciful. To make high scores and to win first place during Prabhupada marathon I was concentrating on "Prabhupada" book, because it just flew into people's hands. Prabhupada Himself was coming to people. People were inspired to take Prabhupada, and Prabhupada was not asking do they want Him or not. He was just coming into their hearts. Therefore in couple of weeks I made our book store empty of "Prabhupada" books. Everyone was astonished, even our Maharaja, but what to do. Prabhupada does not hesitate to come to people. When you hold this book in your hands, some magic comes. Beyond your control. Later I was taking "Prabhupada" books from everyone around who had it to distribute, because the store completely ran out of it by my grace. And during the middle of Prabhupada Marathon. But for "Shrimad-Bhagavatam" I had to work so hard, the whole day, to distribute at least 40 a day. It is completely transcendental, and it is searching for right people. When right person appears he gives me nice donation and the books were his. To distribute "Srimad-Bhagavatam" demanded complete devotion and meditation on Radha-Krishna pastimes. Then Her own pastimes started – very blissful and spiritually uplifting. If you combine those two books, then you can distribute many books a day, get many scores and be on spiritual wings. This is just one combination I was doing during 2011 Prabhupada marathon, because we did not have yet many other big books printed.
You put your books in the bag or the car and go to the biggest supermarket car platform. Then take Your big bags out of the car and put on your hands. They must be as full as you are able to carry. The idea is to make your brain conscious that you have to get rid of those books as soon as possible. Brain says that they are heavy, and you want to become light again. People also must see how many books you have, and how difficult for You is to carry them. Some person will immediately desire to help to carry or just looks in compassion. The same does everyone who sees you. In big supermarket car yard so many people are around watching Your big bags full of books. Bags must be transparent so that they could clearly see the books. You approach the car driver very very happily, as if this big burden of books is nothing to you or even very special: "Would You like to have a book?" And put as many books as you can in his hands. Of course, different ones. Then start talking. Or if You do not put the books in his hands, but he just sees Your bags with them, it is enough for his consciousness. Out of compassion or interest or excitement nearly everyone takes at least a book. In the car yard the scenario goes very quickly, because so many cars, so many people. You act quickly. And they watch you running around and giving books – examining, wandering, finally waiting for You to come, therefore already prepared. More, he is surprised with Your big bags of books – special books? – and unconsciously wants You to come to him and get rid of them. So that You will not struggle with big bags of books. Here the scenario is from both sides: your and the person whom you approach. Both are eager that You to get rid of books. Really, the books just fly out of Your hands: one car, another, one person, another. In couple of hours You can do so many, if You are very concentrated – just on books, Krishna and Paramatma in everyone's heart. I saw the reaction of the supermarket security when he saw 200 "Prabhupada" books in shop trolley. First he lost the gift of speaking and just stood behind me looking how I was packing my books. I saw him behind, but was doing my job. And he stood there bewitched for 10 minutes. Then he wanted to explain me that it is impossible, but was unsuccessful. So much Krishna in so many books over-flooded all atmosphere with Krishna Consciousness. Everyone around were just helpless to resist. The same happens when so many books appear in front of one person You approach. He becomes stunned and cannot resist.
By Jagat Kirti Devi Dasi from Europe, Lithuania (JPS)
Close Relationship with the Lord
When I just joined the spiritual movement I believed Prabhupada and spiritual authorities so much, therefore I did what they asked. That was my success in book distribution. Senior devotees helped me, I was praying to scriptures, to Prabhupada, and they made me their instrument. I felt that it was not me who distributes books. I felt it even more, seeing people reactions. Some of them cried, some of them were jolly, some very spiritual, etc. So different spiritual moods. Someone was afraid to take a scripture in his hands because of many impurities in his heart. Paramatma showed me so many levels of people. Like 400 000 species of human beings. And everyone needed help opening his heart. Some of them I caught by fight, some by intelligence, some by love and some by compassion. According to the personality. And I felt that it was Krishna, not me. He knows everything and can control any person. If you are sincere then on sankirtana most of the time you feel that it is not you acting, it is God, and you feel so much bliss. I am never happy sitting at home or doing something else. But when I am on sankirtana, I feel very jolly and blissful. Lord Krishna Himself says that preachers get much more mercy, because they risk for Krishna. After book distribution I get so much happiness, spiritual strength, wisdom and power. If one day I am not on the street helping people I cannot find my place. Once you taste the highest taste in the most merciful Lord Caitanya's dance, you may never be happy without it. You always go on book distribution to taste Lord Caitany's smile and He smiles through your lips, His melted heart people open their hearts, His, Radha's, eagerness to give Krishna to people He sees everyone as His devotee. This highest taste comes after many years of sincere endeavour to serve the Lord and His devotees, after purifying your heart from many problems. It is said that you cannot understand another's misfortune if you did not have it yourself. To purify you Krishna puts in some horrible to you situation. Then by seeing others suffering you suffer yourself, remembering what big pain is. And on sankirtan the only shelter is Krishna or Lord Caitanya. If you trust Them then everything goes very smooth, blissful. If not, people do not believe you. For that you have to have deep faith. To get this kind of faith Krishna puts you in the situation where nobody can or wants to help. To develop it. Then to survive you are forced to approach the Lord. In the beginning you are very much afraid, then become mental, but if you continue to serve the Lord overcoming obstacles you start to see very clearly how the Lord arranges the things the best way. Gradually He returns you what He took from you, and gives much more, especially you realise that you got much wiser, much more spiritual, compassionate, and very strong. You got an eternal jewel. When others hear your story they do not know how to help, they are afraid, lost, they even do not understand. But you understand by Lord's grace, you are fearless, even blissful, because you see how God personally helps. That's the secret to become close friends with the Lord and His parts and parcels, mostly people.
By Jagat Kirti Devi Dasi from Europe, Lithuania (JPS)
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