Homeless Man Looking For The Bhagavatam
While distributing at Santa Monica College, I saw a disheveled, homeless man coming toward me who looked like he hadn't bathed in a few years. I was thinking, “Oh no, please don't come to the table.” But he did. He then stood in front of the table for some time looking at the books. I didn't have to see him to know he was there — the stench was enough.
Then he looked at me and asked, “Do you have the Srimad Bhagavatam?”
I couldn't believe my ears.
“Uh, yes I do.”
I handed it to him, and he looked it over.
Then he said, “I have the Bhagavad-gita. What a great book! Now I want to go into the Srimad Bhagavatam. It's mentioned so many times in the purports of Bhaktivedanta Swami. How much do you want for this?”
Humbled by this covered saint, I said, “Whatever you like.”
He then gave a good donation and went on his way to “get into the Srimad Bhagavatam.”
When will I learn my lesson to not judge a book by its cover? So many times we've heard stories of homeless people turning out to be nice and taking books and giving donations.
Your servant,
Vijaya Dasa