Humility on Book Distribution
"And begging is bad. To keep the people, whole population, in terrified condition, that is very good, and if anyone in a humble way begs, that is bad. This is your culture. Vedic way allows the brahmacari to beg just to learn humbleness, not beggar. Coming from very big, big family all family, they practice it. This is not begging. This is to learn how to become humble and meek".
Room Conversation Excerpt, February 4, 1977, Calcutta
The Vedic system of begging has been transcendentally adopted by Srila Prabhupada for the modern times as the masterplan of book distribution. Not only to beg but also to give. And this is the best way to become humble. Because if you are puffed up on book distribution you get heavy kicks from Maya. It forces the devotee to become humble and approach others with straw in his teeth. That is why this service demands the most surrender. And that is why our mind gives thousands of excuses not to go out and sell books. When the devotee comes back to the temple after meeting materialistic people the whole day, he certainly appreciates the association of the devotees and becomes humble in the temple too.
Book distribution is the often repeated instruction of Srila Prabhupada. So following the instructions of our parama Guru one becomes humble. Like Arjuna fought with anger but on the instructions of Krsna, so he is considered really humble.
Therefore book distribution is considered military training. Those devotees who have got these training can easily tolerate any disturbing conditions in their spiritual life. Hence it is advocated that the New Bhaktas to go book distribution after their six months training for at least another two to three years. This gives a solid foundation to one's spiritual life. Then what to talk of those exalted sankirtana devotees who distribute books throughout their lives. One cannot imagine what is the state of their consciousness.
Your Servant,
Nayana Ranjana Dasa
