Hari bol Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I usually don't go out on Janmastami but I decided to this time because there is no better way to please Krsna "na ca tasman manusyesu." He says, "There is no one more dear to me than he that distributes my message of Bhagavad Gita." So what better birthday present is there than to do what is most pleasing to Him. Of course it is so nice to cook for Krsna and bring presents to Him and to speak amongst the devotees about His pastimes. But to go out and remind the fallen souls about their relationship with Krsna is Krsna's soft spot, he is soo pleased by this.

All glories to out most glorious Lord Sri Krsna!

your servant, Vijaya das

In the evening, after a blissful day of book distribution in New Orleans's French Quarter, Raya Nitai Prabhu, Bhakta Steve and I were preparing to go on harinam. After we blew a conchshell to signify the beginning of harinam, a tall skinny man with a goatee, French beret, and long hair walked through a black gate from a dimly lit ally and approached us.

He asked, " Are you Hare Krishnas?"

We replied, "Yes."

He smiled and said, "That's wonderful! Tonight is the anniverssary of our head priest's passing away. Can you do a kirtan in his memory?"

It turns out that he was a voodoo priest and we were invited to his voodoo temple.

The walls were full of religious icons, pictures of saints and tribal statues including a murti of Lord Vishnu on Garuda.

There were several people in the temple, and they really enjoyed the kirtan. They were swaying back and forth. Raya Nitai lead a New Orleans style kirtana that got their emotions moving, and afterward we spoke a little about Krishna consciousness. They even purchased a hardbound Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Lord Caitanya's movement is spreading to every town and village and hopefully every voodoo temple. Everyone gets the mercy.

Bhakta Vassilios

The greatest service one can render to the Lord is to try to infuse devotional service into the heart of the conditioned souls so that they may be released from conditioned life. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said that a Vaisnava is recognized by his preaching work -- that is, by convincing the conditioned soul about his eternal position, which is explained here as nija-dharma.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 20.6

I was on my first day of book distribution with HG Navina Nirada Prabhu. We headed down to our local spot, Byron Bay. We did a harinam, sought the blessings of the ocean and then purified ourselves with some Prasadam. Now that we felt sufficiently purified we were ready to engage in the sankirtana yajna of book distribution. I stopped one young woman. She seemed very interested in the concept of Krsna consciousness but didn't seem totally inclined to take for some mysterious reason. She held onto the book for the whole time we talked and then handed it back. She moved on down the street where I saw Ekendra, ready to stop her again. I tried to signal that I had already stopped her but he just couldn't see me. I wandered over to see what he had to say. He showed her another Krsna book. She was still very interested in holding the book but revealed she was very financially down. She had a few more weeks of her vacation and she was only sure she could afford a potato for lunch. She seemed a bit down and we wanted to give her some of Krsna's mercy in any shape or form. I wrote a note to Dhruva (Veteran book distributor in Australia). He was working in the local Hare Krsna restaurant. I gave the note to the young woman and pointed her toward the restaurant. The note was asking Dhruva to give her a free meal. We kept distributing. It was a little slow. Half an hour later the same woman came back. She said the Prasadam was the best meal she had ever had. She asked me for a flyer to our local temple, New Govardhana. We returned to New Govardhana for a book distribution class by HG Navina Nirada. He was talking about utility being the principle. "Sometimes you have to do something out of the ordinary. Like today the boys gave a young women a free meal of Prasadam." Ekendra, who was sitting in the audience, shot up his hand and informed us that the same women, who's name was Elana, had called the temple and was coming to stay on the New Govardhana farm for a few days. Elana thoroughly enjoyed her stay in New Govardhana. On her first day she asked for some japa beads. She came to the Sunday feast in a sari and tilak. On her last day on the farm she took a few more books. After this she flew back home. Months later, 1000 km away, in Sydney, we were doing books with HH Devamrita Swami's squad. We had just finished our last day of a mid year marathon before I was flying off to Europe. We went to Govindas for a celebratory Prasadam feast. We were in a massive line up for the Prasadam, behind many guests. I was curious why it was such a busy night. I anxiously looked ahead to see if any devotees were in the line ahead of us, hoping to catch some sat sanga. The women in front of me turned around and it was Elana! She was there for her birthday and had brought thirty of her friends. This explained the big line. It was good to see Elana was still attracted to Krsna, the kind devotees, and still hooked on Prasadam.

Your servant, Madhavendra Puri Dasa.

This, our book distribution is the most important task in our society. Therefore I am giving so much stress and I am working so hard on this. Because this is my life and soul according to the order of my Guru Maharaja. And by his grace it is to some extent successful. And I took it seriously. I take it seriously still now. That is my life and soul. I never tried in India to construct big temples or even in your country we didn't. I never tried. But I was selling personally books. That is the history. Sometimes they are criticizing, "What kind of sannyasi? He is doing book business."

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation -- December 31, 1976, Bombay

Sent by Bhakti Vikasa Swami

Arcita Prabhu, whose service is with the BBT, recived a call from a lady who wanted to pay for the daily prasadam of the devotees at the New Dwaraka temple in Los Angeles.

He asked her, "How did you become interested in Krsna consciousness?"

She said, "When I was seven, I died, but then, mysteriously, someone took me around to different amazing places and I came back to life. When I was fifty, someone gave me a book about Krsna. As soon as I saw Krsna's picture I knew that He was the person that took me around and then brought me back to life. I bought the book and then went to the temple. Eventually I bought all the books available. I've read the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and I'm now reading the Caitanya Caritamrta. I'm retired and spend most of my time reading the books of Srila Prabhupada."

What if she had never met a sankirtana devotee? She would never have known who it was that took her and brought her back. It's so important that we go out and meet people.

your servant, Vijaya das

In Russia a thirteen-year-old received one of Srila Prabhupada books, became attracted to the philosophy, and went to the temple and loved everything. The devotees gave him beads and more books.

He became more interested and became a devotee. But he knew his parents wouldn't approve, so he secretly continued his Krsna consciousness.

He heard about a three-day festival a few hundred miles from Moscow. He really wanted to go, so he told his parents that he was going camping with a friend. He had all of Prabhupada's books hidden in his room, but if he went away they might come into his room and find them. So he locked them in a chest. They gave him permission to go, and he went to the festival confident that there would be no problem.

However, when he returned there was no one home, and he found that the lock on the chest had been broken. Now he was nervous.

His father later asked him, "Why didn't you tell us about these books? All this time we didn't know what you were up to, but when you left we decided to find out what it was. We opened the chest and found your books. We were shocked to find so many books. Then we decided to find out what these books were about, so we read and read and read. Both of us were happy to find these treasure-houses of knowledge. Why didn't you tell us about this?

The boy was surprised and happy. He said, "I thought you would not approve."

The father embraced him and said, "Not only do we approve but we want to know more." Then he said to his wife, "We're so fortunate to have a saint as a son."

They became devotees. (Text D:3377186) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

One summer day I began distributing the books of Srila Prabhupada at a square in a small south Czech Republic city. The third person I stopped was a lady and as I presented the books, I noticed an older man listening to us from a small distance. In our devotee-slang we call such people SPA (secret police agents), and because they are a disturbing element in book distribution, we try to avoid them. This man looked a bit crazy, due to his slow motion and special accent. He interrupted our conversation and asked how he could help me. Meanwhile the lady took the opportunity and left. A bit annoyed, I told him, I don’t need any help and asked him to go on with his business. The man was persistent though, and inquired what I was actually doing there. Judging by his ways and appearance I concluded he must be one of the musty, bored and curious old men who are more or less obstructions for a book distributor and take away his valuable time and determination. So I briefly replied that I am a Hare Krishna monk from Prague and today I am distributing books about God here. To my surprise he didn’t leave as I expected and further inquired about the books, so I told him that they are encyclopedias of spiritual wisdom and one costs 2.800 crowns (price for a book set in Czech, 16 books). Because he was a retired person who didn’t look that he could take even one of them, I was convinced that this mantra will work and he will leave.

Then he said, "I will gladly take one encyclopedia."

My jaw dropped. I started to wonder, "What is going on. Here is a soul, part of Krishna, who is very much eager for the books of Srila Prabhupada and the only obstacle is me. How absurd!" I felt terrible.

This man gave a donation of 1.000 crowns on the spot, without even seeing the books, and the rest he bought within one hour. I invited him into the van, where I showed him and gave him all our books and spent about forty minutes in pleasant and friendly talk. This man turned out to be a nice person, interested in spiritual things with deep understanding of our philosophy. He very much appreciated our traveling life and the sublime mission of Srila Prabhupada. It was the first time that I have distributed all our books to one person, and, overwhelmed by bliss, I promised myself that I will never again judge people on the street according to external appearance, but rather will try to convey the causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya to all conditioned souls without distinction.

Panca Tattva Dasa

One summer day I began distributing the books of Srila Prabhupada at a square in a small south Czech Republic city. The third person I stopped was a lady and as I presented the books, I noticed an older man listening to us from a small distance. In our devotee-slang we call such people SPA (secret police agents), and because they are a disturbing element in book distribution, we try to avoid them. This man looked a bit crazy, due to his slow motion and special accent. He interrupted our conversation and asked how he could help me. Meanwhile the lady took the opportunity and left. A bit annoyed, I told him, I don’t need any help and asked him to go on with his business. The man was persistent though, and inquired what I was actually doing there. Judging by his ways and appearance I concluded he must be one of the musty, bored and curious old men who are more or less obstructions for a book distributor and take away his valuable time and determination. So I briefly replied that I am a Hare Krishna monk from Prague and today I am distributing books about God here. To my surprise he didn’t leave as I expected and further inquired about the books, so I told him that they are encyclopedias of spiritual wisdom and one costs 2.800 crowns (price for a book set in Czech, 16 books). Because he was a retired person who didn’t look that he could take even one of them, I was convinced that this mantra will work and he will leave.

Then he said, "I will gladly take one encyclopedia."

My jaw dropped. I started to wonder, "What is going on. Here is a soul, part of Krishna, who is very much eager for the books of Srila Prabhupada and the only obstacle is me. How absurd!" I felt terrible.

This man gave a donation of 1.000 crowns on the spot, without even seeing the books, and the rest he bought within one hour. I invited him into the van, where I showed him and gave him all our books and spent about forty minutes in pleasant and friendly talk. This man turned out to be a nice person, interested in spiritual things with deep understanding of our philosophy. He very much appreciated our traveling life and the sublime mission of Srila Prabhupada. It was the first time that I have distributed all our books to one person, and, overwhelmed by bliss, I promised myself that I will never again judge people on the street according to external appearance, but rather will try to convey the causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya to all conditioned souls without distinction.

Panca Tattva Dasa

Here are a couple of interesting exchanges I had on book distribution in Australia . . .

In Perth I walked up to a house and saw a man sitting on a low brick fence by his driveway and holding a half-empty beer can. I walked straight up to him (wearing dhoti and kurta) and told him I was showing everyone some books on inner peace. As he spoke I could see a lot of anguish on his face. He asked if what I do made me happy. I said yes, especially the meditation we practice. He looked at the SSR I was showing him and said he liked this sort of book and would have a look at it. Then he opened up to me and told me he'd been a sniper in Afghanistan for ten years and had returned to Australia a year ago to see his family for Christmas, whom he hadn't seen all that time. Just before he was able to see them, his mother, father, brother, and sister -- all his immediate family -- were killed in a car accident. He said now he was trying to clean up his act and tolerate the emotional pain he felt due to both the death of his family and all the killing he'd done in Afghanistan (he felt especially guilty about accidently killing a five-year-old boy). He'd become a vegetarian and was growing veggies in his garden. He gave a donation and said he'd try reading the book.

At the next house I was greeted at the door by a young chirpy boy. I asked him if his parents were home, and he said they were and went and to get them. When they came to the door, I showed them the book and told them it was about peace. They said to me, "Sorry, we're not interested," and began to shut the door.

Just then the boy, who couldn't have been more than ten, grabbed the book from me and said to his parents, "I'd like the book." He was really serious about it. His parents, seeing his mood and wanting to please him, said OK and asked me how much it cost. I told them and started showing the boy what was in the book. He said he believed in karma and reincarnation, and the more I showed him the more enthusiastic he became. I told him he was continuing his interest in these things from a past life, and he and his mom agreed.

In fact, now his mom was also showing a lot of interest and was confirming to me how her son had always been very spiritually minded. I showed him the "Higher Taste" cookbook and he wanted that too. So Mom went and got some more money to give me. Then she told me that just a day earlier they'd returned from Italy, where she'd pointed out to her son some Hare Krishnas walking down the street. I said, "Nothing happens by chance, does it?" They were really in ecstasy now, and we parted with big smiles on our faces. I gave them the details of how to stay in touch if they wanted.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya ! Sri Sri Gaura Nitai ki jaya !

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Krsna acts in so many wonderful ways . . . Sometimes He attracts innocent souls by books . . . Sometimes He attracts innocent souls by the smell of incense . . . Sometimes He attracts innocent souls by music/mantra . . . and sometimes He attracts innocent souls by food and the nice aroma of spices . . .

Once I was visiting America Best for my eye exam. The technician did a bunch of preliminary tests on me. Afterward she asked, "Which bubble gum are you chewing? It smells soooooo good."

I said, "I always keep cardamom [an Indian spice] in my mouth." I gave a bit to her from the small box in my pocket.

She asked, "Where can I get more of this?"

"You can get not only the spices but the full flavor of Indian food, music, dance, and costumes at one place," I replied. I gave her the address of our Boise temple.

Since then she has been coming regularly to our Friday evening Bhagavad-gita class and to every Sunday Feast. Now she wants to sponsor the Sunday feast! She has purchased so many of our books, she is chanting a couple of rounds every day and has become a vegetarian. Of course, the devotees are taking very nice care of her.

After this experience I realized that the Krsna consciousness movement is destined to spread all over the world, since innocent souls are everywhere and are waiting for devotees. Lord Caitanya just wants us to take credit by taking part in this movement.

Lord Caitanya said, yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa/ amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa: "Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krsna as they are given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land."

Your servant, Shri Hari Dasa Boise Idaho USA

At present I'm traveling with my wife and eight-month-old baby girl. It is a wonderful experience going to every town and village and finding many people interested in Krsna consciousness. We decided we wanted to do a trip from Sydney to Cairns in the far north of Queensland Australia, and then further north to Cape Tribulation, and then back to Sydney, spanning two months. We packed the van with as many soft- and hardcover books as we could squeeze in and left just enough room for our possessions. We managed to get about two thousand books into the van, and we've been steadily distributing them, along with doing Harinam and some feast programs.

I have to praise my wife Krsna-rupa Devi, who has given up her comfortable home to live out of a van. Although she's not doing so many books due to looking after the baby, she goes out nearly every day selling books. Actually, our baby girl Vrndavanesvari has been attracting many souls as she sits next to us in a pram or as we carry her in one arm or in a sling as we sell books. Many people stop and comment on how peaceful, well-fed, and attractive she looks, and then they take a book from us. Of course, a family needs some extra relaxation to stay happy, and so we've found some good beaches for swimming and an island to stay on for a few days (where we also sold books). Sometimes we slept in a tent, but we often stayed in nice motels, since women and children find it difficult to perform too many austerities.

In Townsville we could not find much accommodation under $150 a night. I grimaced at spending so much book distribution laxmi, so I tried to reason with my wife, but to no avail. So I surrendered. That night I was checking the Internet when I noticed some men from New Guinea walking into the motel. I showed them some books, and one man took a Gita and an SSR. A little later another group from the same country walked past and got a Krsna book, giving a nice donation. Later I was on laundry duty when I noticed another man from New Guinea waiting for his clothes to dry. I raced to the van and brought all the hardcover books I had. He seemed very interested and went to his room, returning with $100! So I gave him a Krsna book, a Bhagavad-gita, a Nectar of Devotion, an SSR, a Your Ever Well-Wisher, and some small books. Within a half hour Krsna had given me back the laxmi I'd spent on the room! A little later a lady in a hotel gave $80 for a Gita, Kurma's cookbook, and a Your Ever Well-wisher. So it's difficult to know how Krsna works in these mysterious circumstances.

Your servant, Rupa Raghunatha das

Dear devotees,

Recently I had the great fortune of having my four wisdom teeth pulled out.

I went to the dentist in dhoti and kurta, and all the dental staff were really favorable, so I invited them for the Sunday Feast at our city sankirtan ashram and promised to bring some books for them on my next visit.

One week later I had to go in for a check-up. I was back on sankirtan but taking it easy, and when I went for my appointment I took some books for the staff as I had promised.

I entered the surgery reception, reported to the secretary, and took my seat in the back row.

Then I saw a man sitting in front, to the left. He was wearing a dark-green outfit, which is the common jail uniform here. Then I spotted his escort, a male police officer, sitting to his left. I looked closer at the prisoner. He had thick metal shackles on his wrists. I noticed that there was a book resting on the seat to his right, which was the seat directly in front of me.

I thought, "Wow. Look at this man all shackled up, with no freedom. And he likes to read! Maybe I can somehow give him a book. But how? Should I strike up a conversation with him and ask if he wants it? If the officer became aware of the book, he might forbid the prisoner to get the mercy, especially if he saw the title: 'Perfect Escape,' by His Holiness Devamrita Swami."

I remembered that I had once tried to send some books to a lost gurukuli brother of mine. He was in prison for an incident in which he had acted in self-defense. But the jail officers informed me that I couldn't send any books. So instead I wrote him a long letter about how we're all locked up in the prison house of the material world and the invisible bars are sex desire. So he should pray to Lord Narasimha-deva for His protection.

Now my plan was that when the officer looked away I would somehow place the book on top of the prisoner's other book through the back of the seat in front of me. That way the prisoner would notice it without making a big deal, and then he would hopefully take it back to the jail for him and others to read.

While I was planning all this, the prisoner suddenly turned around and looked at me!

"You getting your wisdom teeth pulled, bud?" he asked.

"Na, bro," I replied in the local street slang, "I got em out last week."

"Oh, you just in for a check-up, ey?" said the prisoner.

"Yeah," I replied with a nod that was familiar to him.

I asked if he was getting his teeth pulled out, and he said he was just waiting for another prisoner who was having an operation. When you get an operation, the nurses ask you to bring an escort to accompany you home because of the aftereffects of the general anesthesia.

So Krishna had arranged our contact.

I positioned myself nicely for the drop, holding "Perfect Escape" under the Krsna book I was reading. Now I just had to wait for the officer to look the other way when the elevator doors opened to the left of us, as he had done the last two times.

Ping! The doors opened. The officer turned his head to look at the passengers exiting the lift, and I swiftly but silently slipped the book through the hole in the back of the seat in front of me and placed it right on top of the prisoner's other book.

The officer started talking to the prisoner about criminals, judges, courts, the system, etc., as if he were a colleague. The prisoner ignored him. The officer just kept going on, pointing out faults in the system, as the prisoner turned his head to see the new book that had mysteriously appeared. He looked at it curiously for a few seconds and then looked back at me. I gave him the underworld nod to seal the deal. He returned the nod with a secret look of strong gratitude.

He picked up the book and started inspecting the cover. "Perfect Escape." The officer saw it but didn't pay any attention, still absorbed in his conversation with himself. The prisoner opened it, read the chapter tiles and the back cover, looked back at me with an eye of respect, and then started reading the introduction. By this time the officer had realized he wasn't getting any response from his detainee and became silent. But he didn't show any concern about the new book.

Success! "This book could change his whole life!" I thought to myself. And maybe many more back in the prison.

"Mr. Godden!" called the nurse. It was time for my check-up.

As I entered the door with the nurse, the officer called out, "Excuse me, nurse." My heart skipped a beat! I thought I was going to get a tongue-lashing from the officer. "How much longer?" He asked. I looked back while the nurse said, "A few more minutes, sir." And the prisoner again caught my eye and winked with deep appreciation.

I then went in for my check-up with the surgeon who had operated on me. A favorable man. I asked him how the anesthesia worked. He explained that they only knew how long a person would be unconscious according to dosage and body weight, but they had absolutely no idea how the anesthetic worked on the brain. He said, "The brain is an extremely complex thing." I used this opportunity to point out that it's funny to think that it all came from a big bang. He agreed and I gave him a book to read also.

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for saving as all from Maya's dark dungeon.

Making an escape from Maya's prison, still dragging a ball and chain,

Your servant, Dhruvananda Dasa Sydney, Austrailia

Vijaya (das) HDG (USA) wrote: > > > > The Perfect Escape > > > > Dear devotees > > Recently I had the great fortune of having my four wisdom teeth pulled > out. > > I went in dhoti kurta and all the dental staff were really favourable > so I invited them for the Sunday Feast at our city sankirtan ashram > and promised to bring some books for them my next visit. > > One week later I had to go in for a check up. I was back on sankirtan > but taking it easy and when I went for my appointment I took books in > my pockets. > > I entered the surgery reception, reported to the secretary, and took > my seat in the back row. > > Then I saw a man sitting in front to the left. He was waring all dark > green cloths, which is the common jail uniform here. Then I spotted > his escort, a male police officer, sitting to the left of him. I > looked closer at the prisoner. He had thick metal shackles on his > wrists. I noticed that he had a book resting on the seat to his right, > which was the seat directly in front of me. > > I thought "Wow. Look at this man all shackled up with no freedom. And > he likes to read! Maybe I can some how give him a book. But how? > Should I spark a conversation with him and ask if he wants it. If the > officer became aware of the book maybe he wouldn't allow the prisoner > to get the mercy, especially when he sees the title 'Perfect Escape' > by HH Devamrita Swami." > > I remembered once I tried to send some books to a lost gurukuli > brother of mine. He was in prison for an incident in self-defence. But > the jail officers informed me that you can't send books in. So instead > I wrote him a big letter about how we're all locked up in the material > world with the invisible bars of sex desire and he should pray for > Lord Narasimha Deva's protection. > > So my plan was to, when the officer looks the other way, some how > place the book on top of the prisoner's other book, through the back > of the seat in front of me. That way the prisoner would notice it > without making a big deal and then he would hopefully take it back > into the jail for him and others to read. > > While I was planning all this the prisoner suddenly turned around and > looked at me! > > "You getting your wisdom teeth pulled bud? he asked. > > "Na bro." I replied in the local street slang "I got em out last week." > > "Oh you just in for a check up ey?" said the prisoner. > > > "Yeah." I replied with a nod that was familiar to him. > > I asked if he was getting his teeth pulled out and he said that he was > just waiting for another prisoner who was having an operation. When > you get an operation the nurses ask you to bring an escort to > accompany you home because of the after affects of the general > anesthesia. > > So Krishna had arranged our contact. > > I positioned my self nicely for the drop, holding the Prefect Escape > under the Krsna Book that I was reading. Now I just had to wait for > the officer to look the other way when the elevator doors opened to the > left of us, as he had done the last two times. > > Ping!!! The doors opened.. The officer turned his head to look at > the passengers exiting the lift. And I swiftly but silently slipped > the book through the hole in the back of the seat in front of me, > right on top of the prisoners other book. > > The officer started talking to the prisoner about criminals, judges, > courts, the system etc. as if he was a colleague. All the while the > prisoner wasn't paying any attention. The officer just kept going on > pointing out faults in the system as the prisoner turned his head to > see the new book that had mysteriously appeared. He looked at it > curiously for a few seconds and then looked back at me. I gave him the > underworld nod to seal the deal. He returned the nod with a secret > look of strong gratitude. > > He picked up the book and started inspecting the cover. "Perfect > Escape." The officer saw it but didn't pay any attention, still > absorbed in his conversation with himself. He opened it, read the > chapter tiles and the back cover, looked back at me with a eye of > respect and then started reading the introduction. By this time the > officer had realised he wasn't getting any reciprocation from his > detainee and became silent but didn't show any concern of the new > book. > > Success! This book could change his whole life! I thought to myself. > And maybe many more back in the prison. > > Mr Godden!!!!...... said the nurse. I was called in for my check up. > > As I entered the door with the nurse the officer called out! Excuse me > Nurse?........ my heart skipped a beat! I thought I was going to get a > chastisement from the officer.. "How much longer?" He asked .... I > looked back while the nurse said "A few more minuets Sir." And the > prisoner again caught my eyes and winked with deep appreciation. > > I then went in for my check up with the surgeon who operated on me. A > favourable man. I asked him how the anesthesia worked. He explained > that they only knew how long a person would be unconscious according > to dosage and body weight, but they have absolutely no idea how it > works on the brain. He said, "The brain is a extremely complex thing." > I used this opportunity to point out that its funny to think that > it all came from a big bang. He agreed and I gave him a book to read > also. > > Jaya Srila Prabhupada! > > Thank you for saving as all from mayaês dark dungeon. > > Making an escape from maya's prison, still dragging a ball and chain, > Your Servant > Dhruvananda Dasa > (formally Uddhava Dasa gurukuli) > (Text D:3285532) ------------------------------------------- > > ------- End of Forwarded Message ------ > (Text D:3328425) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In order to try to inspire devotees in book distribution, we have lectures on book distribution at: http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/page/book-distribution

Thank you Your servant, Vaishnava seva dasa _____o_ www.iskcondesiretree.com www.iskcondesiretree.net

"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"

About a month and a half back I posted a story about how when I was going shop to shop in Lilongwe, Malawi, a pastor who worked as a manager in a car showroom bought four books from me and expressed interest in buying a Bhagavad-gita later.

Well, I went back to see him periodically to find out how he was doing as he read through the books. He went through them very methodically -- highlighting, underlining, and marking many sections. He would ask me many questions about what he had read.

About a month back I sold him the Bhagavad-gita, and he felt bliss to get it. I was surprised, because not only was the Gita new to him but he was from a culture that was not at all based on the Bhagavad-gita -- Malawian-African. And yet he still was so keen to read the Gita, and gradually he picked up on the philosophy and would ask me many questions.

I found out that he had been born in a Catholic family and that in his teens he had begun to ask questions about God. When he couldn't get the answers, he became a Jehovah's Witness and then a Pentecostal. He told me how about fourteen years ago he had gotten a "call" from inside, which took the form of an intense desire to go deeper into religion. His friends advised him to become a preacher (pastor). He confided in me that although he went so deep into Christianity he felt something was missing. He also lamented how new ideas concerning "gayism," feminism, and abortion are entering the church. Finally he said, "I think what is missing is . . ." and he pointed to the Bhagavad-gita.

I was surprised that this Christian preacher was drawn so much to the Bhagavad-gita and to Srila Prabhupada's books in general. Gradually he gave up drinking tea and, for the last three weeks, meat. He said, "After reading about the evils of meat-eating in 'The Laws of Nature,' I can't stand the sight it anymore."

Once, after he had read all the small books, I asked him if he wanted some more books, and he told me that he was reading the small books all over again and was getting deeper meaning from them. I thought he might be lying and that he just didn't want any more books, but when I went to visit him in his office I saw him reading "The Laws of Nature" right there at his desk.

Now he keeps telling me, "I don't know how to tell my congregation all these things, or whether I should." I just told him to take it slowly and first become strong himself. He has eight children and gave the youngest one (an eighteen-year-old son) one of the books to read. He liked it so much that he loaned it to his friends.

Once I met him on a Monday and he told me that as he delivered his sermon in the church the day before his mind was on the Bhagavad-gita.

The pastor is chanting one round every day and adjusting his diet. He's seriously considering becoming a Hare Krishna. In truth I haven't met him much. This all happened due to his reading and accepting with faith Srila Prabhupada's instructions. I pray to Caitanya Mahaprabhu that the pastor be guided to the path of sanatana-dharma.

Your servant, Murari Das

Vijaya (das) HDG (USA) wrote: > > > Hari bol Dravida Prabhu, could you please edit this for me. > Your servant, Vijaya das > > > SUB: A Christian Pastor Becomes a devotee > > I posted a story maybe a month and a half back about how I was going > shop to shop in Lilongwe, Malawi and a pastor who also worked as a > manager in an auto car showroom bought 4 books from me and expressed > interest about buying a Bhagavad-gita from me at a later date. > > Well I went back to see him periodically and saw how he was going > through all the books. He went through them so methodically > highlighting, underlining and marking many sections of the books. He > would ask me so many questions about what he read. > > About a month back I sold him the Bhagavad-gita and he was in such > bliss to get it. I was surprised because not only had he never read it > before but was from a culture that was not at all based on the > Bhagavad-gita (Malawian-African background). And yet still he was so > keen and gradually picked up on the philosophy and would ask me many > questions. > > I found out that he had been born in a catholic family and in his > teens began to ask questions about God and when he couldn't get the > answers, he became a Jehovah's witness and then after that a > pentecostal. He then said how about 14 years back, he again got a > 'call' from inside, a desire to get deeper into religion and his > friends then advised him to become a preacher (pastor). He then > confided in me that although he went so deep in christianity he felt > something as missing. And not only that but he is really lamenting how > he said these new ideas of 'Gayism', 'Feminism' and Abortion are > entering the church. Finally he said; I think this is what is missing, > he said pointing to the Bhagavad-gita. > > I was surprised because he is a christian preacher and yet he was > drawn so much to the bhagavad-gita and Srila Prabhupada's books. > Gradually he gave up drinking tea and has stopped eating meat for about 3 > weeks now. He tells me that; 'I can't stand the site of it any more > (meat) after reading about it' (in Laws of Nature). > > Once when he had read all the small books, I asked him if he wants > some more books and he told me that he was reading the small books he > bought all over again as he said that he is getting a deeper meaning > from them. I thought he might be lying and that he just didn't want > any more books, but when I went to visit him in his office I saw him > reading 'The laws of Nature' right there on his desk. > > Now he keeps telling me; " I don't know how to tell my congregation > all these things, or whether I should". I just told him to take it > slowly and first become strong himself. He has eight children and gave > the youngest one (18yrs) one of the books to read. His son liked > it so much he gave it to his friends. > > Once I met him on a Monday and he told me that he was giving sermon in the > church yesterday but his mind was on the Bhagavad-gita. > > The pastor is seriously considering becoming a Hare Krishna and is > chanting one round everyday and adjusting his diet. To tell the truth > I didn't really meet him much. This all happened due to his reading > and accepting with faith Srila Prabhupada's instruction and teachings. > I pray to Caitanya Mahaprabhu that he guided to the path of Sanatana > Dharma. > > Your servant, > Murari Das > > ISKCON Lilongwe, > Lilongwe, Malawi > (Text D:3280195) ------------------------------------------- > > ------- End of Forwarded Message ------ > (Text D:3309338) -------------------------------------------

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Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I my last posting I mentioned that Bn Radhika was the only femal in the top fifty book distributors in the world, that was a mistake. Mohanasini dd was for the month of June in thirtieth place in the world, a very steady book distributor and a disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

Krishna Is All-attractive

This is the third year ISKCON Hong Kong participated in the Hong Kong Book Fair. One evening during the fair a lady visited our booth and I struck up a conversation with her. I learned she was quite fond of religion and was a vegetarian, so I recommended that she purchase the Bhagavad-gita. She refused, claiming she was too busy to read, and then left with her two full shopping bags.

After a little while she returned and started chatting with other devotees. Then she told our booth manager that she would take the Gita if we would give her a discount. We explained that our policy was never to give discounts and suggested that we give her a small book as a bonus for her purchase of the Gita. Her smile disappeared and she left again.

About ten minutes before closing time we started a kirtan at the booth. We chanted Hare Krishna in ecstasy in front of our Srila Prabhupada murti. The lady returned and made a wise decision: She bought the Gita and a few other books. One devotee invited her to join us, and she chanted with us for a little while.

The Lord is nondifferent from His names and instructions. Both can attract every living entity in this world. Sri Krishna Sankirtan Ki Jaya!

Vrajendra Kumar Dasa ISKCON Hong Kong

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

In 2002 the GBC asked me to be the minister of book distribution. Since then I have been traveling around the world trying to encourage book distribution. One of the obstacles to book distribtuon that I often see as I travel in the third-world countries, and sometimes in first- and second-world countries as well, is that many temples cannot afford books or vehicles.

This letter is an appeal to you for donations to the book distributors around the world. Since I've been in this position I have helped four sankirtana teams (in third-world countries) get vehicles for book distribution. You have no idea how happy these sankirtana devotees were to get them. If anyone would like to help in this way, you can either go to Paypal and put my e-mail - vijaya.hdg@pamho.net - as the receiver, or you can write out a check to ISKCON and send it to me at the LA temple: Vijaya Dasa, c/o ISKCON, 3764 Watseka Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034.

It doesn't mater how big or small the donation is -- $5, $10, $50, or thousands.

Below are some statements Srila Prabhupada made in his books about the importance of giving charity to spread Krsna consciousness.

BG 16.1. purport: "Charity is meant for the householders. The householders should earn a livelihood by an honorable means and spend a portion of their income to propagate Krsna consciousness all over the world. Thus a householder should give in charity to institutional societies that are engaged in that way. Charity should be given only to propagate Krsna consciousness all over the world. That is charity in the mode of goodness."

BG 11.54 purport: "As far as charity is concerned, it is clear that charity should be given to the devotees of Krsna who are engaged in His devotional service to spread the Krsna philosophy throughout the world. Krsna consciousness is a benediction to humanity. Lord Caitanya was appreciated by Rupa Goswami as the most munificent man of charity because love of Krsna, which is very difficult to achieve, was distributed freely by Him. So if one gives some amount of his money to persons involved in distributing Krsna consciousness, that charity, given to spread Krsna consciousness is the greatest charity in the world.î

There is also this statement by Krsna in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.22.35): Etavaj janma-saphalyam dehinam iha dehisu/ pranair arthair dhiya vaca sreya-acaranam sada: "It is the duty of all living beings to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with their life, wealth, intelligence and words." You may not be able to give your life for preaching or your intelligence or your words. But everyone can give some of their wealth for preaching. Prabhupada wanted his householder disciples to give 50% of their income for preaching. I only know of one devotee that does that. Of course, it isn't easy now because times are difficult, but at least everyone can give something. If a lot of people give a little, it becomes a lot.

So if anyone would like to help book distribution around the world, either by monthly donations, occasional donations, or just a one-time donation, then certainly Krsna and Srila Prabhupada would be pleased.

Your servant, Vijaya das

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am just finishing up a North American tour, on which I did book distribution and conducted seminars. It has been very enlivening. While traveling I had the good fortune of Jayadvaita MaharajaÕs association in New York City. He gave a very nice class the evening before I left. He spoke about book distribution (it's always nice to hear our leaders speak about it). Here's a little of the nectar: "I was traveling from New Jersey in a train when a Muslim sat next to me. After awhile he turned to me and asked what my religion is. That started a whole conversation about God and spiritual life, and he was very interested. When I travel I always like to carry books with me for people like this. So I and the devotee traveling with me were trying to find where we had put them. Finally we found a ÒPerfection of Yoga,Ó and I gave it to him. He asked if he could give something for it and gave a very nice donation. It was very nice to see someone of another faith so interested in what we have to offer."

Maharaja went on to say, "Earlier in the year I was in South Africa. While I was there I asked a devotee how he had joined. He told this story:

When I was very young my father visited France, and while waiting in the airport in Paris for his plane back to our home in the Congo, he saw a Bhagavad-gita on a table. Someone had apparently left it there. It was there for a long time, so at last he picked it up and started reading it. No one came looking for the book, so he took it with him on the flight. He found it very interesting.

Later, whenever he was home he would often quote from the Bhagavad-gita, saying, ÒKrsna says thisÓ and ÒKrsna says that.Ó I began thinking, ÒWho is this Krsna?Ó

When I grew up and was on a visit to South Africa, I met some devotees distributing books, and they told me about Krsna. I put the two together and said, ÒMy father knows all about Krsna!Ó They invited me to the temple and I really liked it and eventually joined. My father is also a devotee and chants sixteen rounds.

Maharaja concluded: ÒThere is a saying in India: 'There is a name on every grain of rice.' Similarly, there is a name on every book that goes out, and only Krsna knows whose hand it is going to end up in, just as only Krsna knows to whom every grain of rice will go.Ó

Your servant, Vijaya das (Text D:3265232) -------------------------------------------

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Hare Krishna ! All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga ! All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! All glories to all the sankirtan devotees at all the times !

A finance director of an oil exploration organisation visited New Delhi ISKCON Temple. He met His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj who was on his Delhi visit.

The visitor explained the oil situation in the world today and in the future times to come. His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj discussed the oil and natural gas situation in Russia, Canada, America and China then Maharaj got to the real point and spoke about the spiritual solutions for a happy world. He explained to the man about Srila Prabhupda and his transcendental books. Thereafter, the gentleman ordered five thousand Bhagavat Gitas As It Is with 100% advance payment.

with best regards, your servant, Bhakta Rakesh - New Delhi.

"Bhaktitirta Swami, who was Ghanasyam before taking sanyasa was on book distribution with me in the 1970's distributing full sets to the colleges. We went to a small college and found out it was a holiday. Ganasyam decided to give it a try anyway. I said, "Why do you want to waste your time and mine, it's a small school and it is a holiday!"

Ghanasyam said, "Alright, I'll just go to the bathroom and be right back. Just in case I find someone I'll bring some books."

One hour went by, then two. I was becoming very upset. But I also knew that Ghanasyam sometimes would do amazing things, almost mystical. I decided that I wouldn't immediately chastise him, first I would find out why he took so long.

When he finally returned I asked him, "Why did you take so long, you were just going to the bathroom?"

He replied," That's what I was going to do, but as I was walking to the bathroom I was praying to Prabhupada, "Prabhupada please help me to serve you, I want to please you by distributing your books, please give me your mercy."

"While I was in the bathroom there was a man in there, and we just started talking. He was a professor of history and religion. I told him about the Srimad Bhagavatam that we distribute and showed him what I had, he was fascinated. We went to his office and he bought a set. Then I asked if he knew if the library was open. He said it wasn't, but he is a friend of the person in charge and would call him. When he called, his wife said he was on his way to the college to get some things he needed. Ten minutes later he shows up and also bought a set."

I said, "That's amazing, I'm impressed. I guess there are no material formulas if we sincerely want to distribute books."