OFF-DUTY BOOK DISTRIBUTION
“Get books, show books, sell books” is a slogan from Vaisesika Prabhu, meaning we can all distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books if we do those three things. Even me. I am a reservoir of sinful activities, yet with a little effort Srila Prabhupada gets some use out of me on sankirtana.
After hearing a great Sunday Feast lecture from Rtadhvaja Swami about the benefits of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, I went across the street to the laundromat to wash a load of clothes. I brought my book bag as it had a bunch of change in it to use for the machines.
After putting my clothes in the washer, I noticed there were also a half dozen of Srila Prabhupada’s books in the bag. My mind debated: “Should I distribute these books? No, I’m off duty. Just came in to wash clothes. On the other hand, what do I have to lose?”
So I approached a family of four, gave the kids lollipops, and handed the father a *Perfecion de Yoga*. He thought the book was interesting and gave me a few dollars.
Next were two brothers waiting for their laundry to finish. One gave me five dollars for a *Perfecion de Yoga.* The other had artistic tatoos, which I complimented. He gave me twenty dollars, and I gave him a *Viaje Facil de Otros Planetas*.
Two more people–a man emptying a dryer and a lady folding clothes–gave me five dollars each for *Viaje Facil de Otros Planetas*. Their easy journey had begun.
While the machine was washing my clothes, I drove to Holy Foods to buy water, milk, butter, and some raspberries for Sri Sri Radha Kalacandji. In line at the cash register, I counted out of the book bag change and bills totaling thirty six dollars and ninety cents. The senora next in line spontaneously gave ten dollars, so I handed her a *Perfecion de Yoga*. Like most people in Texas, she and the cashier spoke Spanish, and she was very happy to receive a Spanish book. I gave her a mantra card and she clearly recited Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Reflection: Six people had bought Srila Prabhupada’s books from me when I was not even officially “out on sankirtana.” The books were jumping from the bag like fish from the Ganga. Anyone can sell Srila Prabhupada’s books. Even “off duty.”
Mishra Bhagavan Dasa
