Blog
Book distribution and restaurant in Rome
After distributing books in Rome, while eating lunch prasad, I asked the sankirtan devotee I was distributing with how he joined the movement. He was a policeman in Rome for ten years, then he got the “Science of Self Realization” and an invitation card to our temple. He said, “I read the book and liked it. So I visited the temple and also liked it, and eventually I joined. Krsna’s mercy.” The place where we honored prasad is a devotee-run vegan restaurant. Not an ordinary ISKCON restaurant, it is the No. 1 fully...
read moreFrom the temple to the airport, it was book distribution to all
At the Sakshi Gopal temple, my son and I were approached by a very elderly gentleman who was pleased to see us with Srila Prabhupada’s books. He spoke in Oriya, describing how beautiful and well-organized ISKCON is, how wonderfully and systematically the devotees are distributing knowledge about Krishna, and how Prabhupada has done such a lasting service to Krishna. He then took books for himself, even though he claimed to be uneducated. Some nearby locals told me that the man spends his days and nights writing spiritual poetry and singing it...
read moreMeeting drunks
Today I started very late from my office and came running to the metro station, fearing that I might miss the last metro. There was only one person on the platform at that hour. I sought his attention to show him the books, and he immediately said that he is drunk and cannot take the books. I told him that he can get these books for a small donation to the temple and he will immensely benefit by doing so. This triggered a conversation, and he asked me whether I can help him get rid of the habit of drinking. I told him that he can develop a...
read morePoliceman gets a book, then gets another one
While we were out in Noida, on the streets, a policeman passed by with a smile. That is unusual, because mostly Indian policemen ignore you or they have a scowl on their faces, fed up with all the nonsense they deal with. This one stopped. Then he got a Gita, donated, and went on his way. On his way back, he got another Gita and made another donation! He told me that he is glad to see us, because the more we can come into society and bring spiritual culture, the less troubled society will be. He said that most Indian policemen lead very...
read morePersuading a person with problems
When I reached the Metro station in Gurugram (Harayana, India), the display board said that the next metro would arrive in six minutes. But when I reached the platform, the metro was already there, and I ended up missing it. So I started approaching people and offering them books, but no one was interested. Then I came across a young lady who patiently listened to my glorification of the books. When I mentioned the law of karma, she politely declined the books and mentioned that she doesn’t believe in karma. She explained that she is...
read moreBuddhists like the books
During my Nepal yatra (19-25 February 2023), I visited the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini. There are several temples to Buddha there, built by various countries that follow Buddhism: Singapore, France, China, etc. In one temple, I came across a nice family and particularly one nice girl, Sauravi. Sauravi, being young, I knew for sure would know English, unlike the vast majority of Nepalese, who know only Nepali. When I informed her of a book on yoga (The Perfection of Yoga), she was interested. When I asked for a donation, she...
read morePraying to become Srila Prabhupada’s instrument on book distribution
Before I go out on book distribution, every time I make sure that I pray to Srila Prabhupada and all the acaryas. Doing so, I feel confident that I can distribute many books, and praying also helps me remain conscious that I am not the doer. One day, it so happened that all my friends went on harinama, and I was alone. To save time, I offered prayers mentally. I didn’t physically go to Srila Prabhupada’s murti and pray. Then, as usual, after reaching the first traffic signal, I started showing books to the people who had stopped...
read moreEncouraged by a recipient of Prabupada’s books
For a whole week I’d experienced a profound sense of detachment while distributing books at the southbound platform within the illustrious Broadway-Lafayette subway station in New York City. My steadiness and purity of mind were unprecedented. I jotted down notes to myself on how one must be kind and smile at everyone, regardless of their response. Be light. That was the key. The next week I attempted to employ the realizations Krsna had compassionately offered me. As the recently elected sankirtana leader, I felt it my duty to grow into a...
read moreWSN January 2023
The world Sankirtan Newletter is attached. Also, my book “Treasures of the Brhat Mrdanga” a compilation of book distribution stories, Prabhupada quotes and devotees realiztions has been printed, 5,000 of them. Gradually they’ll be available around the world through Amazon, temple stores, BBT’s and temples. WSN January 2023 Your servant, Vijaya das...
read moreWhen we distribute books Laxmidevi mystriously becomes the treasurer
While distributing books on the street in Mumbai, I once showed a set of three books to a person. He took the set in his hands, worth Rs. 200, and started walking away, without paying the amount. I started following him, thinking that he will turn back and pay me, but he entered a commercial building and soon disappeared. That’s when I realized he was a thief. I tried to search for him and went to the security guy and informed him, but he didn’t take my concerns seriously. When I was about to give up and go back, another man...
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