Book Distribution is Chowpatti
You definitely wouldn't want to give him a second look. A tall wily fellow bearded and with unkempt hair and sullen eyes was simply gazing through me. He pushed himself nearer to me. As I pulled back defensively, his person was repelling enough as he was stinking of alcohol. His trousers had probably seen a dozen summers unwashed and his shirt was jazzily incongruent with his dreary personality. Wanting to avoid an embarrassing confrontation, I gave him a half-nervous smile, hoping he retraces his steps, realizing he won't get anything even remotely resembling his object of pursuit. However much I tried ignoring him, I found myself being pulled closer to him, albeit not without some discomfort. The entrance at Malad Station is relatively very small and our book table occupying a prominent place was a witness to constant commotion of the train and the racing home bound public. Frustrated auto wallas could be seen spewing expletives all around. Honking two-wheelers and taxis, blasting off their wild horns brazenly was a common sight. In the narrow lanes just outside, heckling fruit sellers were vying for space and attention. Occasionally a constable would come running, waving his stick and blowing a whistle to settle of squabbles that were as frequent as the locals speeding on the adjacent platform. With so many of us displaying the Bhagavad Gita and standing all over the gate and at the ticket counter, it was indeed an intense evening of book distribution.
"What could this drunkard possibly want from us?" As this thought raced across my mind, he finally spoke up, "Sir, I want to thank you very much". His voice was too polite for the mannerisms he displayed externally. Still unsure and suspecting, I paid no heed. He continued, "I'm a fugitive from a nearby state, having three murder cases on my head". I was stunned as he displayed his long dagger tucked inside his shirt. Before I could turn to the other devotees, he broke down, "I was on my way to put another man to death last night. As I came out of the station, I was knocked out by the sight of so many devotees chanting "Hare Krishna" and "Bhagavad Gita", with all of you wearing this beautiful tilak and displaying this book, I was momentarily numb and motionless. A few minutes later I went ahead with my assigned task. As I picked up a quarrel with my target, (he confessed this is the modus operandi before the actual killing) I found myself unable to pull out my knife. A familiar voice pierced through my conscience and implored me to refrain from this heinous act. The chanting of "Hare Krishna" was constantly ringing in my ears and the blissfully smiling faces of the devotees kept coming to my mind again and again. I apologized to the very man I had come to kill and went back home. Since then I have been restless like never before. I finally mustered up enough strength to come up to you and make this confession and thank you for stopping me from a terrible sin". This was incredible, as devotees gathered around, we were simply wonder struck at this development. He then picked up a Gita, but on knowing it costs Rs 70/- he reluctantly put it back, claiming he had only Rs 15/-, which he anyway needed for his daily quota of liquor. I had to act fast. If I let him go away with the money, he is going to again engage in sin. I immediately gave him "Laws Of Nature" and said this is only 15 rupees and suggested that he read this one. He was happy to take the book.
As we celebrated that event later that evening, reflecting upon the wonderful gift that Srila Prabhupada has given the whole world, we thought that was probably the last we had seen of him. So it was a pleasant surprise three days later as he was again at the stall, this time looking more sober, cheerful and fresh. He claimed he had indeed read the book and promised to give up drinking, meat eating and other sinful habits. "I am convinced", he said, "that this life has to be given up. I promise to mend my ways. I am immediately leaving to my hometown and surrendering to the state police. After my term, I promise to clean up my murky past and lead a more responsible life, do good to myself and others".
This incident is not only uncommon and spectacular, but it also reveals the extent to which Srila Prabhupada's compassion can embrace the fallen souls, give them new hope and meaning to their directionless and misguided lives. Such miracles might not be visible to our mundane vision daily, but we can be rest assured that these books surely have the potency to transform the whole human civilization and bring about a revolution in the human society. The least we can do is go out and present the books to all, hope and pray that we can be allowed to serve in this sacred mission.
