Blog
Oriya bus-station officer helps distribute books
Just outside Jagannath Puri, at the out-station bus stop, we ended up with books. Problem? The station was full of Hindi-speakers, and we had run out of Hindi books. So I approached a bus-station officer and told him that I wanted to distribute the Oriya books I had with me but there were hardly any Oriya-speakers there. So, until my books ran out, after taking a few books himself and making a donation, he took me to every person who was Oriya, and basically said, “This person has come to distribute books about Lord Jagannath. You take...
read moreThe nectar of book distribution
Recently, I distributed books at Palomar College in southern California. An African-American was looking at the books, and he asked the price of “Teachings of Lord Caitanya.” I said, “You can’t put a price on wisdom, but for this, people give around $10.” “OK, I’ll be back.” He returned in fifteen minutes and said, “You know, I want that book because of the cover picture, because he dances.” I responded, “Not only does He dance but He encourages thousands and millions of others...
read moreA new lease on life in Auckland
Recently, I met Hemi, a 44-year-old, warm and friendly Maori (native) gentleman whose work is distributing advertising leaflets to the public. He immediately recognized Srila Prabhupada’s books. He already has the Gita and others but has not yet read them. He gave a donation and took two small books. He was working the same side of the street as me. He’s been doing so from 9 until 4:30 every day for over two weeks to promote the School Uniform Shop he is working for. A while later I met him again. “What is a monk?” he inquires. I said, “We...
read moreYoungest Sankirtan Devotee
The French yatra has an extraordinary sankirtana devotee: a toddler, Sangita, who distributes books on her pram, probably the youngest and cutest book distributor in ISKCON. Less than two years old, Sangita started distributing books when she was barely a year old, imitating the elders while on her pram during sankirtana. During the past Christmas marathon she sold a book to a Chinese kid, and the kid’s mom gladly gave a donation. She accompanies her parents, Temple President Locananda Das and Gandharvika Rai Devi Dasi, on harinam sankirtana...
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A Lifetime Sankirtana Devotee
A most heartwarming sight during my visit to the French yatra is the example set by Janananda Goswami, a full-time sankirtana devotee. He prefers being on the road and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, in the form of his books, even in the harsh winters. He is the inspiration behind the sankirtana efforts in France, and he leads by example, tirelessly distributing books on streets or in airports, planes, and bus stations and everywhere else he sets foot. Janananda Goswami’s enthusiasm is contagious, his dedication is admirable, and his...
read moreA mystically arranged meeting at a mall
On 25 January 2023, I was on book distribution in the basement parking area of a West Auckland mall. Books were going out slowly, and I noticed it was not as productive as the previous day at the same spot. As time went on, I was praying to Krishna, “Please send someone who can take books.” Around 5 p.m. I was about to finish, but I thought I should stay a bit longer. A few minutes later, a white van stopped some distance from where I was standing, and the driver got out. As soon as I saw him, I instantly heard a voice within me...
read moreHow the Paramatma helped in Genoa, Italy: three stories
In a butcher’s shop I observed an old man buying meat and wine, posing as though he is a wealthy person, sort of showing off to everyone. At that moment I thought, “If only I could offer him some books, but this isn’t the most suitable moment.” After some time, in the village, I saw him again, talking to a woman before getting into a car. So I approached him, but he didn’t immediately show any inclination. At that moment a lady on a bike passed by and urged this man to get himself a book. A particular inspiration came to me, and turning...
read moreVietnamese Bhagavad Gita
Some Vietnamese hairdressers in Dallas, Texas, bought Srila Prabhupada’s books from me, so I took a Vietnamese “Bhagavad Gita As It Is” to present to them from Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji Dhama’s bookroom. The Vietnamese Gita was in my bookbag for a long time. One day I was working at the Cowboy Stadium. My supervisor said, “Mishra, there is a truck full of sound equipment coming. Help get it uploaded.” Eventually the truck came, and we used a forklift to get everything off the back. The truck driver happened...
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