Spontaneous Attraction
Ordinary people sometime think that sankirtana devotees are just like mundane salesmen who are out to sell their product by hook or by crook. Sometimes, they even accuse the devotees to be cunning or cheater. Here is one story about how a devotee dealt with the issue.
Bh Gauranga recalls: It was my first day of distributing books in the long distance trains. I had gone to Mumbai Central station carrying a bag full of variety of Srila Prabhupada's books. I took a platform ticket and entered the posh and luxurious Rajdhani Express departing to New Delhi. Since it is a centrally air-conditioned train with an expensive fare, only affluent people travel in it. But big money doesn't always mean a big heart, which is what I shortly experienced.
I entered one train car and began showing books to the passengers. They were not the least interested. Some politely said, "No thanks," while others just plainly ignored me not even bothering to acknowledge my presence. It was very hard on my false ego, still I continued patiently. I reached a compartment where two ladies were sitting on the side berth and one family was on the main berth. One of the elderly ladies in the family asked for the books. One by one she saw all the books but then returned all of them back. I tried explaining about the books but she waved me off. I turned to the two ladies on the side berth. They were talking to each other, but when I showed them the books they vainly rotated their necks away. Dejected I heaved my bag over my shoulder and took a step to move out when suddenly I heard, "Can I see these books?" My heart jumped. I looked at the source of request and all my excitement fizzled down – it was a small kid 6 or 7 years old.
"Hey kid, these books are not for tiny-tots like you."
"Do you have them in English," he demanded.
I was surprised at his boldness. "What is the harm anyway?" I thought and took out all the English books and handed them to him.
"What is this?" he asked.
"This is small Krishna." I said.
"Mama I want Krishna, Mama I want Krishna." The boy grabbed the book and dashed to one of the lady on the side berth. "No beta (son), we don't need this book, please return it to uncle." "No, no, I want Krishna, I want this book." The boy broke in to a hysterical fit.
"Please take this book mataji," I requested, "this will make your son very happy."
"What smart cheaters you people are!" the lady hissed, "It is very nice trick that you people employ – give the book to a kid and then make him trouble his parents. Well done!"
The remark pierced my heart. I had honest intentions and had in no way tried to trick or cheat the lady. Somehow I was trying to serve Srila Prabhupada and now I'm faced with this situation, it was necessary that I represent our movement in the proper way.
"Mataji, my intentions are very clear and honest," I replied. "It was your son who asked for these books and I forewarned him that these are not for his age group. OK. Now your son is asking for a book based on Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, he is not doing some sin, is he? Why are you coming in between him and Sri Krishna? As a mother it is your duty to give proper culture and training to your son and there is no better literature than this book. I request you please take it."
"Please mama, I want Krishna," the boy implored, "PLEASE!"
"OK," she gave up, "how much does it cost?"
"Only ten rupees."
She looked at the book and the cute face of Krishna and then opened her purse.
"Thank you, here is our temple card, please visit when you are in Mumbai next time," I said while pocketing the ten rupee note she gave me.
"How fortunate is this boy," I thought, while walking out of the train. A few people stared at me. I cared the least. My heart was bursting with joy and my face beamed as I remembered the fortunate soul who was so spontaneously attracted to the beautiful picture of Lord Krishna.
