Distributing Books in Bars and Pubs
I now live in India with my wife, but when I’m back in Ireland I also go into pubs to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books when I move from shop to shop. I approch the staff members mainly, and quite often they take books. I tend to avoid the customers though, as talking to drunk people can be a real waste of time.
It so happens that sometimes a customer may spontaneously decide to buy a book after hearing me talk with the boss or a bartender. Recently I was in a pub, but the owner was not interested.
On my way out I saw a man put his pint of beer down, and he called to me: “If I take one of your books will it save me from hell? Will it get me out of hell?”
I said, “Definitely!”
Then he immediately held up some money and shouted, “Give me one!”
I could detect a real sincerity in his voice, which was slightly disguised by a veneer of humour. I felt that he knew he was fallen and wanted a better life, but was powerless to change. In his own way he was asking for mercy.
Isn’t that what we do when we feel powerless to make advancement even as practitioners of bhakti? We get down on our knees and beg for mercy.
I told him that I would put in a good word for him. He laughed, and I was on my way.
A few years back, I was in a pub/restaurant in Arklow. Three young ladies who were on the staff were inspired to take a book each.
On returning again the following year I recognised two of the girls who were behind the counter. They were extremely overjoyed to see me. They told me to wait while they quickly call the third. It so happened that this particular girl had read her book and had a life-changing experience. She was so much happy to get another book, and I was so much happy to see a person
benefitted by my small endeavor to share the teachings of Krsna consciousness.
(The attached selfie was taken in Killarney.)
Ys,
Premarnava Dasa
