At a Train Station in Pune
Once I was distributing Srila Prabhupada's books in a railway station in Pune. By Prabhupada's mercy, many people responded nicely. But one railway officer shouted very loudly at me, asking whether I had permission to sell the books in the station.
I didn't have permission, and I was very new to book distribution, so I became fearful and apologized to the officer. He angrily told me that I cannot sell books inside the station, but I didn't want to leave, because I was meeting many people in one place.
I was totally confused and stood near the waiting room praying. A security guard near the waiting room called me over and asked about the matter. I told him, and then he told me to go into the cabin of that officer to meet him. Fearfully I went into the office.
As soon as I entered, the same officer, who was now sitting in his chair told me to come in and asked me, "Where is the prasada?"
Fortunately, I had maha-prasada of Shri Shri Radha-kunjabihariji. The officer was calmly speaking with me as if nothing had happened.
He said, "I know that you are an educated person and have dedicated your life to the Lord's service. You are doing a noble service to society. I am proud of you. At such a young age you have given up all bodily pleasures and are wearing simple cloth and doing valuable service. It is my misfortune that I have to do my service and yell at you, because many hawkers are selling things and they spend a lot for permisson. Again and again they are complaining about you selling books without permission, so I had to shout at you just to please them. Personally I don't want to do that. So whenever I shout at you, you just have to tell me, 'Sorry sir, I will leave.' But continue your service."
He donated for a Bhagavad Geeta in Marathi. From that day onward, I met many government oficers and used the same formula.
If we sincerely want to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books, then Krishna gives us the intelligence. Srila Prabhupada's book distribution, ki jai!
Your Servant
Sarvalaxan Das
ISKCON Pune
