Sankirtana hero
Devotees from the whole world (esp. nearby Delhi) flocked to Vrindavan to observe the anniversary of Srila Prabhupada disappearance day. Thousands of devotees were participating in the festival.
One particular devotee went the other way -> Vrindavan to Delhi.
Dayasindhu Srivas Prabhu (see att. photo), a member of the book distribution team, was in Vrindavan for the last few days. He then decided that he will celebrate the festival by distributing books on the streets.
“Let me do my seva and offer it to Srila Prabhupada”.
He went back to Delhi. Alone, he picked up the stacks of books, hired a driver and went to Gurugram in the early morning. He distributed books single-handedly the whole day and returned late in the evening. Alone he distributed books worth 50,000 rupees (one on one distribution, with no sponsorship). That’s 600 dollars’ worth of books.
This is not the first time he has done something like this. Even when the book distribution team is not on tour and is recuperating in the temple, he picks up the book bag and goes out to distribute.
I don’t wish to write in detail about the challenging situations he faces in everyday life. A family member is going through a health crisis, he himself has personal challenges of health.
He is not famous. He doesn’t give classes, lead kirtans, or perform artik. I doubt whether most members in the community even know his name. But he is one of the most high-spirited , committed, and inspired individuals. Anyone with an ‘external’ filter on his eyes — to judge someone on the basis of their education or refined and polished dealings or the color of dress — will surely be misled.
He has a natural spirit to serve. And is deeply, deeply inspired to distribute books.
To do it one day is one thing. But to do it repeatedly and regularly, with no one pushing and with no expectations of any acknowledgement or appreciation is an altogether different thing.
He has a natural taste to read the Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavatam, and Krishna Book. He has read these books dozens of times. Not only read, but if you want to see someone relishing the reading, he is the one.
I was deeply touched by his celebration of Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day.
–ys, Premanjana Dasa
