The pure devotees are not only satisfied by knowing everything about the Lord, but are also eager to broadcast the information to others, for they want to see that the glories of the Lord are known to everyone. Thus the devotee feels satisfied when such an opportunity is offered to him. This is the basic principle of missionary activities.

SB 2.5.9 purport

Kadamba Kanana Swami

I was travelling to India, and there was a lady sitting next to me who was a yoga teacher. She was going to India for training with Iyengar. She was a serious yoga teacher, because Iyengar is serious yoga.

So anyway, she was a serious person, wasn't just in general but a thoughtful serious person. We had a nice discussion on spiritual topics, but I didn't immediately tell her that I was from the Hare Krishna Movement, since I was just preaching.

Then she said, "So, actually what are you?"

So then I explained, "Well okay I'm a member of the Hare Krishna Movement."

"Oh,no! Hare Krishna? Oh no!"

So I asked, "Well, what happened to you? Did you have a bad experience with the Hare Krishnas?"

She replied, "I got so badly cheated. You know I have one problem. I cannot say no!"

So you can just imagine, a sankirtan devotee found a lady who just couldn't say no! So she got a full set, the whole set, the complete everything, all the small books and everything. I don't know how much she paid but, she must have paid a lot for them. Then her husband came home, and there was a big drama! She spent so much money on these books, and they had been standing there and they are like the joke of the family. Whenever there was a family gathering, they have to make some jokes about her books:

"Oh! Look at them! There they are!"

She cannot throw them away, because she spent so much money on them. The books were just standing there to testify for her stupidity now she got cheated! So this is the story she had told me on the plane. Then I said, "Well, how do you know that you got cheated? Did you read them?"

"No, actually no, I never read the books."

"Why don't you read them? Maybe they're really nice, if you read them and find them really nice, then you can tell your whole family, "Actually I didn't get cheated they are good books, they're really nice."

She said, "This is great! I'm going to read those books!"

So sometimes just a conversation with someone can make a world of difference, that is also giving!

Akruranatha Dasa says:

This reminds me of the popular English fairy tale, "Jack and the Beanstalk." Young Jack's mother, driven by poverty, sends the boy to the market to sell the family's only milk cow. However, a silver-tongued salesman convinces Jack to trade the cow for "magic beans" which he brings home. The mother, thinking Jack had been swindled, throws the beans out the window. Overnight they germinate and grow to a giant stalk that reaches beyond the clouds, to a magic castle where Jack finds his fortune.

Perhaps the books this young woman who could not say "no" to will help her grow a giant bhakti stalk that pierces the sky and leads her to a world of magic and fulfillment beyond her family's wildest dreams. (Text D:5483578) -------------------------------------------

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

Recently, by the mercy of many devotees, our brahmacarya ashram in Eastern Canada was able to purchase a bus. We converted it into a sankirtan vehicle, and we’ve been traveling around Canada since 1 July 2011. There are eight of us, and our program is to visit a new town, chant and distribute books, and also find people to help us facilitate an evening program. Based on the relationships that we are cultivating and with the people we are meeting, we are often able to stay at their homes and teach them about Krishna conscious living. It is a very absorbing program, and to keep our list of interested people connected to us and to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, we just developed a website ( www.everytownandvillage.net). We would like devotees to visit and give their feedback and blessings so we can improve our attempt to serve Srila Prabhupada and all the devotees in this little way we are trying to do.

The website has a short documentary that we made, as well as a number of blog entries from our travels in Canada.

Your Servants,

Yogendra dasa and Tirtha Pavana dasa

One day during the 2010 fall semester at Louisiana State University, I learned from a person who had no prior experience the proper mood for distributing transcendental books.

As I stood on campus late one afternoon, I prayed to Sri Gurudeva to be inspired to try harder to give Srila Prabhupada's books to others. Suddenly I noticed a fellow approaching and quickly recognized him as the same student wearing a tie-dyed shirt who had just taken a soft Gita only a few minutes earlier. "Oh, great," I thought, "he looks like he's in the mood to chat. Can't he see I'm busy and it's getting late?"

"Hey, any luck with those books?"

"Yeah," I replied. "Thanks again." I turned away, hoping he would keep walking. Still, a voice in my heart beckoned me to remain open. Maybe he would sincerely want to know more about Krishna's teachings.

"Why do you sell these books?" he asked. I told him, in a nutshell, the story of how I came to Krishna consciousness.

Listening closely and holding the Bhagavad-gita in his hand, he seemed confident and enlivened. I learned that his name was Derek and that he studied nuclear physics. He had recently been accepted into an elite program where he would be trained as a specialist for the Navy, a career which would take him to many places around the world.

"Can I come along with you and help?" he proposed. By now I got it through my thick head that this was Krishna's plan. Perhaps I should try not to get in the way.

"Sure! Follow me and try to catch on."

We walked into the student union, where I presented a book to a boy who listened to my presentation but wasn't interested. I assessed my attempt and told Derek my conclusion.

"If you stop them purposefully," I explained, "they become more receptive."

"Can I try that one?" Derek asked, smiling and pointing to the hardcover Bhagavad-gita in my hand. He took it and immediately approached the first person he saw standing by the cafeteria entrance.

"Do you want to learn about Hare Krishna today?" he asked the young lady. She was quiet and stand-offish. He continued: "This is an important book because it teaches the real religion. Even the Catholic God comes from Hare Krishna, so this the most original scripture, not the Bible."

When she showed no interest and started to leave, he asked, "You have time to read the menu posted on the wall, but not this great book?"

As she walked away, he didn't seem at all disappointed, but rather more enthusiastic to try again.

"Where did you learn to preach like that?" I asked Derek.

He replied calmly, "Well, the Baptists are more in-your-face than that, right? Why not tell the people how it is?"

As we continued touring the premises, it seemed that each person Derek approached would stop, at once become pleasant, and offer his or her attention. Stepping outside of the student union, Derek directed us toward a young lady sipping a coffee she held in one hand while reading a book she held in the other.

"This is Shannon," he said to me. "Shannon, do you want to learn about Hare Krishna today?" He quickly convinced her to hear my presentation and take a book. She gave a donation and decided to join our newly formed preaching yatra. The three of us ventured toward the student apartments, stopping students along the way.

We met Derek's roommate on his way to the gym and spoke to him about our books and the importance of spiritual education. Our real religion, we explained, is to live simply, without artificial "necessities," to use our energy for God's service, and to depend on God in all circumstances. He agreed that this is how one learns to become honest and tolerant, and tears of appreciation welled up in his eyes.

Next Derek stopped a Christian girl who claimed she was very devoted to studying only the Bible. He told her that Hare Krishna is actually what she was searching for, and then he looked to me for further explanation. I thanked her for worshiping the Lord and told her that the Bhagavad-gita would enrich her understanding of God's personality, which would be a great service to Christ. She agreed and gave a nice donation.

In this way, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, the books quickly took their paths into the arms of so many different types of students. What brought us together was the urgent desire of Derek to wake up the sleeping souls at his school. We must have glimpsed the mood of Mahaprabhu's nagar-sankirtana in Sri Navadvipa dhama: selfless, focused endeavor for spreading Krishna's glories.

After Derek sold more books than I did, emptying my bag, he, Shannon, and I walked back to the sankirtana bus and enjoyed some light prasadam and group chanting, and I taught them how to chant japa. At the end of the day, Derek and Shannon walked back to the campus in a blissful mood while we drove away to the next engagement.

Your servant,

Dwijamani Gaura das

Haribol, Prabhus,

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

I was distributing books at Santa Monica College in California recently when an elderly man (Paul) came walking by slowly, stopped, looked at my books, and said, "Krsna, Hare Krsna?"

I said, "Yep, you got it right."

"I don't see you guys anymore."

"We're still around. You just have to look a little more."

Then he started looking at the Bhagavad-gita and I showed him the illustrations. When I showed Paul the changing bodies illustration, I said jokingly, "Where are you here, Paul?"

He pointed to the old guy almost at the end.

I said to him, "I'm not too far behind you. Nowadays when people get old they play checkers or cards and just try to pass the time tell they die. But this is when they should use their valuable time to understand who they are, what the goal of life is, and what's going to happen at the time of death. Paul, don't be like those old fools and waste these valuable last years of your life [he was about 75]. Read this Bhagavad-gita. And if you follow the instructions, you can go back to the spiritual world, the kingdom of God."

He looked at me and asked, "You're sure there is such a place?"

"Oh yes, as sure as you and I are talking right now. And if you don't develop your love for God, then . . . Do you see how the soul is going into another body? [I was still showing him the changing bodies illustration.] You'll have to do that again -- another body, which means more suffering."

"Yeah, I know this is a place of suffering."

"But in the spiritual world there is no suffering," I said. "No death, old age, disease, or birth. There is only unlimited happiness. And everyone there is completely pure. Not like here, where everyone is impure."

"This is interesting. I think I'd like to take one."

Paul got Krsna's mercy in the form of the Bhagavad-gita. Then I gave him an invitation to our Bhakti House. This is a house next to the temple where people come for an introduction to Krsna consciousness. When book distributors go out on book distribution, they invite interested people to this program. There is kirtan, an interactive talk/discussion, then prasadam, then more kirtan. Every week we get about 20 new people. It's really nice. And now some are becoming devotees. Try it at your temple. You may find it to be very enlivening, as we have.

Your servant,

Vijaya das

1. You Never Know

Prabhupada Marathon 2010: One night at about 8 o'clock a sketchy-looking fellow called me over into the shadows of the Miami street side. He opened up his heart and told me about the problems he was facing in his life. He seemed slightly crazy or intoxicated. I considered ending the conversation when I thought it was going nowhere, but I decided to give him a little more time and condolence. After a few more minutes I insisted he take a book, telling him it would really help him. He gave me quite a large donation -- so large, in fact, that I was able to give him a whole set of the books I was carrying. He expressed his deep appreciation as he stumbled off.

2. Relying on Krishna

Warp Tour, Summer 2011: One concert became so loud and frenetic that no one could hear me calling out to them to stop. So I tried taking shelter of all-attractive Sri Harinama. In desperation I abandoned all "hooks" and techniques and began simply yelling "Krishna! Krishna!" at people. Lo and behold, practically every person immediately stopped, as if hit by lightning, looked me straight in the eye, and inquisitively approached me. Amazing.

3. Hidden Mystics

Late Summer 2011, San Diego: I met a mother the other day who didn't express much interest in buying any books but was eager to tell me about her spiritual journey. My meditation on book distribution these days is in the mode of triage -- I spend less time with goners and more time with those who may be saved. So by this standard I should probably have cut the conversation short, but there was something about her that convinced me to spend a few minutes speaking with her and hearing her story. She was raised a Christian but became interested in spiritual life, mainly Taoism, in her 40s. Her son, who was with her, was going through an agnostic phase. I briefly told her about my own journey to Krishna, and by the end of the conversation she decided to take a Bhagavad-gita and a Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1! As she took her books, she explained to me how just that morning she had prayed to God to reveal Himself to her and her son in truth, beyond any religious designation. Praise the Lord!

More to come soon, hopefully.

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Your servant, Krishna Kumara dasa

We were in Varna City, Bulgaria, on traveling sankirtan. It was Lord Balarama's appearance day. I decided to offer all the books I distributed that day to Lord Balarama for His pleasure. There wasn't so much time to distribute, though, because we had to do some cooking for the festival.

I began to distribute around the camper that we travel in, and everything was very easy and blissful. For the past few years I've been trying to give people several books to start with, usually the three books comprising the 1st and 2nd cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam. On this day I distributed a few Bhagavatams, and at one point an elderly fruit seller looked at the SB volumes and said, "This is what I've been searching for all my life!" He took the 1st and 2nd canto volumes, and I suddenly thought, "Why not offer him the other six Bhagavatam volumes I have?" So I told him about them. He was eager to see them, and after a few minutes all 9 Bhagavatam volumes were in his hands. He was so happy with them and gave a nice donation! Lord Balarama is so merciful!!

On Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja day it happened again. This time a hatha yoga teacher received the mercy in the form of the 9 Bhagavatam volumes.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Your servant, Sthanu das

Jaya-gopala: If we are on the street and collecting money and we are thinking, "Oh, I am a very good collector; I am collecting so nicely." Prabhupada: Yes, Yes. You are very good collector for Krsna. Jaya-gopala: But if we... Prabhupada: Yes, yes, you should be proud, you should feel proud: "I am working for Krsna very nicely." (laughter) We don't reject anything. Even this pride, yes. "I am greater servant of Krsna. Yes, I am proud." That pride is nice.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.46-62 -- Los Angeles, December 16, 1968

Prabhupad was travelling to South America with his two servants, the temple where they'd been gave them a packed lunch for the plane, so in the air Srutakirti Prabhupad's servant opened Prabhupad's lunch pack and served him his prasadam of puffed rice and peanuts. Prabhupad had his fill and handed over the remnants to Srutakirti who'd just began eating when the lady air hostess comes over and in one motion says that looks tasty and grabs a handful throws it in her mouth. Prabhupad smiled, Srutakirti was somewhat shocked. She then asked why bring your own food. Srutakirti informed her that they are vegetarians etc etc. She immediately said is there anything else I can get you, fruit milk? Prabhupad said "Hot milk". Five minutes later she returned with three cups of hot milk she got from First class. Prabhupad thanked her and the devotees discussed among themselves Prabhupad remarking that it is a natural nature of a pious woman to serve....... Anyway over the years this had become one of Srutakirti's favourite Prabhupad pastime stories to tell.

Anyway now part two, he was recently again in South America doing a preaching tour enlivening devotees there (and selling his book "What is the difficulty?") and he told that story in Brazil. Afterward one devotee came up to him and asked would Srutakirti prabhu like to hear an amazing story? This devotee was out in some remote village going door to door selling books when he knocked on a door a lady opened the door wearing tilak. She then invited the devotee in and her house was like a little temple,an altar with Deities, pictures on the walls and all of Prabhupad's books in Portuguese in her bookshelf. The devotee just had to ask her how she became a devotee....... She said she used to be an airline hostess some years ago and she met the author of these books, he was so saintly and gentle and kind that she looked up who he was and what he did from his boarding pass name. She then got some of his books and began to read, they said to chant so she chanted and offer her food to Krishna, so she did all that and became a devotee from that small contact.... Srutakirti was amazed, while at the same time understood the potency of Prasadam and even a moments association with a pure devotee like Srila Prabhupad. Now that has become one of Srutakirti's favourite stories to tell also.

I am in due receipt of your weekly sankirtana newsletters. I am always happy to hear of increasing book sales. These reports are very encouraging to me. Our real business is to print and distribute books. By doing this business, you are all becoming recognized by Krishna. Please try to continue working so nicely for Krishna, following the rules and regulations, chanting 16 rounds, and studying my books and you will finish your business in this material world in this life and enter into the spiritual world to live with Krishna eternally. Don't become discouraged by any so-called problems. Make your program simple, that is to say, always make sure that you are somehow or other engaged in Krishna's service, and the best service is preaching or engaging others in Krishna's service. So continue in this way and be happy.

Hoping this meets you in good health,

Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Rio de janeiro, Brazil

The other day I stopped a man, showed him the Bhagavad gita and asked for a donation. He gave me a nice donation and said, "It is the first time in my life that I see someone selling something that is really worth buying on the streets, you are doing the right thing, never stop doing this". He thanked me again and left very happy with the Gita in his hands.

Satvata das

PS I hope everyone has an ecstatic Janmastami and Srila Prabhpada Vyasapuja day, they're very auspicious days to go out and spread the glories of Sri Krsna and his most dear devotee Srila Prabhupada.

your servant, Vijaya das

This is a poem by Dravida Prabhu to Srila Prabhupada about his most pleasing mission of book distribution in honor of his Vyasa Puja day.

O Prabhupada, on this great day When you appeared, just like a ray Of Krsna's vast effulgence bright, To give this blind world back its sight,

We thank you from the bottom of Our heart, and pray with deepest love That we may serve your lotus feet In every circumstance we meet.

As years go by and books go out, We see what life is all about: To serve your mission, and our Lord's, By spreading wide your sacred words.

As well you want us all to strive To let those words direct our lives. This safest path will lead us Home, No more in Maya's realm to roam.

Your servant, Dravida dasa

Ayodhya Dasa, a devotee of Indian descent, joined ISKCON in 1976 in Detroit and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1977. While in Detroit he distributed books while serving in the life membership department. But for many years he wanted to go to Vrndavana. In 1995 Krsna made the arrangement. That year his brother-in-law passed away in India and he was asked to attend the funeral ceremony because he was the only surviving male in the family. He took the opportunity to visit Vrndavana. He loved Vrndavana and decided he would move there. Dina Bandhu Prabhu told him that Prabhupada wanted his books distributed on the trains and encouraged Ayodhya to try it. He did, and though he didn't distribute many books he got a taste for book distribution. He was also going shop to shop in Vrndavana and various towns near Vrndavana, but then he started distributing exclusively on the trains. He liked the trains for three reasons: one, because the people had laxmi; two, because they were sitting there with nothing to do; and three, because there were different people every day. He began traveling from Mathura to Delhi and back every day.

Every morning he looks forward to going out again to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books. He doesn't take a day off. He even goes out on Janmastami -- and he's 76 years old! But in the summer he goes to the West because it's so hot in India and his wife and family are in the West. He's especially inspired by Srila Prabhupada's statement "If you want to please me, then distribute my books." Upon hearing that for the first time, he thought, "This is something I can do. There are not many other things I can do, so it's Krsna's mercy that I can do something that is pleasing to Prabhupada and Krsna." Ayodhya Prabhu likes to recall how he sold a Srimad-Bhagavatam volume to an Indian gentleman who was later initiated as Rasaraja Prabhu, one of the leaders of the Bhaktivedanta Institute.

When Ayodhya distributes the Bhagavad-gita he tells the person, "This Bhagavad-gita is no ordinary book. Although it is 5,000 years old, it is still famous all over the world, and although so many Bhagavad-gitas had been translated into other languages and read all over the world before this one, no one became a devotee of Krsna. But this 'Bhagavad gita As It Is' has made thousands of devotees of Krsna all over the world."

Sometimes he tells the customer, "I don't think you are going to buy this book, but at least look at the quality of the printing." When they look at the nice quality of the book, they quite often buy it. Reverse psychology.

Ayodhya Prabhu says, "To distribute books is not easy. You have to be humble, tolerant, and patient. Once I was showing a book to a Muslim. I was detached, but I was trying. The man said, 'I'm a Muslim. I'm not interested in this book. But because of your gentle behavior, I will buy this book from you."

Ayodhya Prabhu has dedicated his life to book distribution and wants others to also get the mercy by distributing books. He says, "Devotees who retire can go to India or anywhere and distribute books. What good is playing with the grandchildren and all that? To distribute books is austere, but it is also very sweet. The austerity brings the satisfaction. Book distribution is very nice. Prabhupada once said, 'You can hire a cook, you can hire a pujari, you can hire a cleaner, but a preacher you cannot hire, because that comes from the heart.'"

Bhakta Theo and I have just returned from a two-week traveling Sankirtan mission to Svargaloka (Queensland, Australia), where the palm trees blow in the warm breeze and everything moves in slow motion.

Theo had just bought a $100,000 luxury camper van and wanted to use it in Lord Caitanya's service by beating the Brhad Mrdanga. So we took it for its maiden voyage to Queensland. Here are a few nectar stories from the journey.

* * *

In Mackay I saw a young lad smoking outside the Kebab shop where he obviously worked. As I approached to show him the Bhagavad-gita his eyes widened, and before I could say a word he exclaimed, "WOW!! What book is that? I just love reading!" So I showed him the book, and it didn't take much to convince him to buy it. He ran inside the shop to ask his boss if he could take $20 out of the till (the boss agreed) and came back to gave me the laxmi. I learned his name was Damien.

A few days later we returned to Mackay. As I was walking past the Kebab shop I saw my friend Damien through the window. He waved to me to come in and speak to him. When I went into the shop I saw he had tears in his eyes. He said, "I'm reading the book, but I just can't remember any of the names!" I told him that remembering the names of the warriors and their conch shells is not so important; he should just keep on reading. He felt a little better, and we had a long discussion about the Bhagavad-gita. Such a nice boy! I really hope I can stay in touch with him.

* * *

In Gladstone I was distributing in a big Westfield shopping mall when I saw some charity collectors working from a stall between the shops. One African guy named Abdul stopped me and asked if I could help them with a donation. I explained to him that I couldn't because I was a monk and didn't have any money of my own. He said, "Really? You're a monk? Please tell me what you do as a monk." So I told him in a nutshell about my lifestyle and showed him the Bhagavad-gita. He couldn't believe it! He used to work with an Indian gentleman in Sydney who had promised so many times to get him a Bhagavad-gita but never got around to giving it to him. So Abdul was very happy to take the Bhagavad-gita and give a nice donation.

* * *

Just after I met Abdul I saw a man selling Kangaroo skins in the same mall. As he talked to a customer I could tell his accent was different. So I struck up a conversation: "Hey, where are you from?"

"West coast, Perth," he replied.

"You know," I said, "today we're showing these books to all the nice people we meet from Perth." As I showed him the Bhagavad-gita, he told me that he was in no way religious or spiritually inclined. I said, "Anyway, check out the cool pictures." As I showed him the pictures, he expressed his appreciation for the beautiful artwork. He ended up giving $15 and taking the book, just for the pictures!

Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam Ki! Jai!!

Your servant,

Stambha-bhava das

Hamilton, New Zealand

I knocked on the door of a house that looked as if someone was home. After I knocked, it became apparent there wasn't. Then a gentleman appeared around the side of the house, coming onto the property from the street, and asked if I was "on a mission." I said, "I'm a monk and I *am* on a mission, a mission to show everybody a Bhagavad Gita." And with that I put one in his hand.

He was happy and relieved I wasn't a thief or someone of ill repute, since the area he lived in had had its fair share of crime. He said that his place had been broken into a few times and that when he saw me walk onto his property he was just driving off in his van. So he stopped across the road and came back to check me out.

With the Gita in his hand, he also said that he'd been doing yoga for a long time but had recently stopped and wanted to get back into it. He said he didn't have any money on him at the moment and asked if I could come back the next day.

The next day I started my door-to-door visits at his house, taking some prasadam with me. We sat together and discussed Krsna's teachings in the Gita as we took prasadam. He explained that his job entailed helping people with psychological disorders.

We had such an enlivening time talking about Krsna-related topics! He gave $50 for the Gita, and he wants to come to our Tuesday night program. He loved the prasadam. His name is Geoff.

Your servant, Khela-tirtha das

Hare Krishna. Very blissful. Thanks for posting. I have often thought when hearing this "Get a job." We do have a job. Trying to save you---and it is not easy.

Your servant, Badrinarayan dasa

> > > Paramesvara Prabhu is a young Slovakian devotee who, despite his intense > work schedule centered around his business, still occasionally finds > time to go on sankirtan. Once a lady on the street rebuked him with a > typical argument: "Why are you begging here? Get a job instead." He > smiled at her and handed her his business card, saying, "My dear lady, > in my factory I have 130 employees. I can hire you too if you want." > Shocked, the women couldn't say a word.

Paramesvara Prabhu is a young Slovakian devotee who, despite his intense work schedule centered around his business, still occasionally finds time to go on sankirtan. Once a lady on the street rebuked him with a typical argument: "Why are you begging here? Get a job instead." He smiled at her and handed her his business card, saying, "My dear lady, in my factory I have 130 employees. I can hire you too if you want." Shocked, the women couldn't say a word.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thought of sharing this with you so that you may want to post it on the bdn.

Lecture at ISV by H H Bhakti Vikasa Swami on the benefits of book distribution.

http://www.bvks.com/2011/07/benefits-of-book-distribution-lecture-at-isv/

Thanks and Hare Krsna!

Yrs, Gauranga Prasad Das

Gopinath Acharya das:

Deepak prabhu introduced me to Srila Prabhupada and said, "Oh, this is Gopinath Acharya das. He is one of our leading book distributors." So Srila Prabhupada was actually very interested; and he turned his head very regally, he looked at me and asked me what I said to sell the books. So I mumbled and fumbled something to the effect that, "Oh, Srila Prabhupada, I just tell them it's about yoga. They think it's about exercises and like that." Srila Prabhupada thought very pensively for 30 seconds or so and he said, "You should tell people that these books will solve the problems of life and help reduce the miseries of life."

>From Following Srila Prabhupada, DVD #6

PS More good news on the sankirtan van, we would like to thank Tara das (my long time friend) for donating $108. That makes it $4,208 we're gradually making it to the $20,000 goal.

your servant, Vijaya das

French Largess

I met a French man who showed interest during our conversation, but he still didn't want to take my English Bhagavad-gita. So I showed him the hardcover French version I had. I couldn't present it to him nicely because I don't speak French, and so I wasn't confident about asking for a big donation. Instead of the standard $20.00, I told him it was just $15.00. But he misheard me and, after looking through every one of his pockets for enough to make a donation, he eventually handed me $50.00.

A Rare Guest

Yesterday we met a nice boy at the PIE-IX Metro Station. He had been sitting close to Bhakta Kurt and me as we rode the train reading aloud the pastimes of Dhruva Maharaja. When we all got off at the same metro stop, we saw him at the top of the escalator waiting for the bus. As we approached him, he looked like he wanted to say something to us. Hopeful that he hadn't felt infringed upon by our reading, I acknowledged him and we began a conversation. The first thing he said was how peaceful a presence we had. Being an especially sensitive person, he said, he was very aware of people's moods, and he appreciated that there was something rare about our appearance and attitude, something different from the depressive mood he was used to encountering. While we all rode the bus, Kurt and I, seeing that he was bright and thoughtful, invited him to the temple.

He came, but he was a little reluctant to enter, so we stood outside and spoke about our disappointment at the loss of innocence in ourselves and in society at large. Eventually he took Srila Prabhupada's Gita and The Perfection of Yoga. Then he said he wanted to learn meditation. So I took the opportunity to break through his reluctance to come inside by telling him of one monk who is a skilled meditator and teacher. Inside the temple, I interrupted Karuna-sindhu's studying to bring him to meet this boy, and the three of us spent the next two hours discussing meditation techniques and philosophy. We gave him japa beads to chant on, and demonstrated how to chant. He was overpowered just by hearing the mantra, without himself even chanting.

When he had to leave just before lunch, I gave him some of Sri Sri Radha-Manohara's maha-prasadam, and without waiting, he ate most of it right in front of us. I got an email from him a few hours later in which he wrote that he had felt a surge of happiness after leaving, "almost as though he was directly touched by God." I expect we'll see this boy again soon.

Your servant,

Yogendra dasa

PS I just received another donation for the sankirtan van in Africa. We would like to thank Devala Rsi das and his wife Sri Pati dd who gave $500. We now have $4,100.

your servant, Vijaya das