Blog
Homeless Man Looking For The Bhagavatam
While distributing at Santa Monica College, I saw a disheveled, homeless man coming toward me who looked like he hadn't bathed in a few years. I was thinking, “Oh no, please don't come to the table.” But he did. He then stood in front of the table for some time looking at the books. I didn't have to see him to know he was there — the stench was enough. Then he looked at me and asked, “Do you have the Srimad Bhagavatam?” I couldn't believe my ears. “Uh, yes I do.” I handed it to him,...
read moreBook Distribution Brings Out Kindness in People
While distributing books at Cal State Northridge University, I met a couple of students at my table who were asking about the books on display. They were both enthusiastic to take a Gita. After explaining the tenets of the Gita, I asked for a donation. One of them enthusiastically gave a donation, but the other said, “I don't have anything to give.” The person who did give a donation said, “No problem. I'll get it for you.” He then gave another donation. I asked the one that had no donation whether she knew...
read moreThe Beginning of My Journey by Stevie Rojas
I have always been attracted to religion and spirituality. I grew up as a Catholic, because it is the dominant religion in my country (Philippines), but when I became a teenager, I began exploring different religions and philosophies. I would read about Buddhism and Taoism. I would also read up on some unusual stuff like Hermetics and Wicca. There was even a stage in my life where I was angry at God and became an atheist. However, I felt deep inside me that it is impossible for this universe to not have a creator and ruler, so I became a...
read moreI Do Not Write These Books
Bhagavata Dasa: Srila Prabhupada said, "Can you quote this verse?" The two of us looked at each other, and I thought, "Tamal Krishna Goswami will quote the verse," but Tamal Krishna Goswami thought I was going to do it. Neither of us knew the verse. Prabhupada said, "Just see. You are not reading my books. Every day you have to read, study, and learn my books just like a lawyer learns the law books. You must know everything, chapter and verse. If you do not know, how will you preach? Unless you know my books how will...
read moreWorld Sankirtan Newsletter for August 2016
Hare Krsna, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! During August, in the Large Temples category, Ujjain had the highest increase, 113%, with 10,082 book points. In the middle of India in August it’s hot. So devotees doing the austerity of book distribution in Ujjain’s heat get some extra mercy. Among medium temples, Baroda had the highest increase, with 1,437 book points, an increase of 355%. Let’s pray that the devotees can maintain this higher level. Baroda is in Gujarat, where many...
read morePrema Sankirtana
In ISKCON we sometimes experience a real loving exchange. We go to a house, and they welcome us with a lot of prasada. We refuse at first, out of love, but they insist that we take more. We give in, though we wanted more prasada the whole time, and then a loving mood is created. I've also had this experience on book distribution. I'll meet a nice person, we have a great exchange, and then they give an unexpected big donation. I'm overwhelmed, and I tell them to take more books. They refuse at first, but finally take another one....
read moreOpenheimer Distributes The Gita
Reading a few pages of Vaisesika prabhu's wonderful book 'Our Family Business' before going on the street has been transformative for my waning sankirtan spirit. On one day I had read the first chapter in my car before going to Queen St. in Auckland. Vaisesika, ISKCON's sankirtan legend, had recalled how, as a 16 year old, he had come to receive Back to Godhead magazine while fasting all day, observing a vow of silence and praying to God to reveal the true path in life. On opening Back to Godhead and seeing the picture of...
read moreThe Super Soul Does It Again!
Hare Krishna! Recently I was distributing books door to door in Gisborne, New Zealand. I knocked on one door and had the great fortune to meet Caleb (see attached photo), a very pleasant middle aged gentleman and committed Christian. As a successful musician, one of the ways he serves is to glorify God though music at Christian gatherings all around the world. Still, I could understand from his respectful and friendly demeanor that he was open to receiving one of Srila Prabhupada's books. Utilizing the clever presentation HG Vijay...
read moreAn Atheist Has A Change Of Heart On The Spot
While distributing in Silicon Valley, we met a Gujarati family at the first door we knocked on. The wife said, “We know all this,” and was about to close the door. Then we asked her to call her husband. When Sankirtan Prabhu was at the door explaining about the Bhagavatam to the husband, his eldest daughter, Dipti, was just sitting on the sofa. Sankirtan asked her whether she was depressed about anything, and she said she is an atheist and wouldn’t be interested in this. The father immediately asked us to come inside. Dipti had a lot of...
read moreI felt like it was the right thing to do.
While visiting Denver, I went up to Fort Collins, just north of Denver, with some devotees to distribute books and chant at Colorado State University. The students were exceptionally nice, taking Bhagavad-gitas enthusiastically. The devotees have a nice program there, every dayuesday. they have an attractive harinama, sitting down in the middle of the campus. Fifty yards down the walkway I had a table full of Srila Prabhupada’s books. After the harinama and book distribution, we all went to a reserved room on campus where we held a...
read more
