Book Distribution Nectar
Fall Down
No, we are not talking about someone's falling from the path of devotion. We are speaking about the modus-operandi of one of the youngest book distributors in last December's marathon: Vanmali Prabhu, the son of Rajesh Dodeja Prabhu and Gita Mataji. He is seven years old, but the devotional mood he displays clearly points to wisdom beyond his years. His technique? Just grab a book, go to anyone nearby, fall down prostrated at the person's feet and beg that person to take the book. And if the person does take the book, do full dandwats again.
His mother Gita Mataji recalls: Vanmali went with me and other ladies to Dadar Railway station and police stations in and around Byculla. In the first two days he distributed 16 Bhagawad Gitas, but no body kept the exact counts later.
In the police stations, he would go to the policeman and innocently ask, "Uncle, why do you carry a gun? What do you do with it?"
Hearing these cute questions from a chubby little kid with Vaishanva tilaka, kanthi mala, and shikha was enough to disarm these tough Mumbai cops. They would smile and joke with him.
After the pleasantries Vanmali would come to the main business: "Uncle, please take this book."
If you already have a Gita at your home, it is not enough reason to put him off. He will touch your feet, touch your hands to his head, beg, cajole, make heart-felt pleas and not leave till you agree.
One policeman said to me, "I already have a Gita, but you have trained your son so nicely that I am forced to buy."
Some appreciated and some even complained to me, "It's his time to play and enjoy. Why do you force him to do these things?"
Who can stop him? I think to myself. So much is his dedication to distribute books that — what to speak of the cops — even the elders feel carried away by his enthusiasm. Many times we would be dejected because people were just not interested in taking these books. But nothing could stop Vanmali. If one man refused, he would go to the next, without taking the rejections to heart.
On the day of Moksda Ekadasi, we were at the Dadar station distributing books. We took some Hindi and Marathi books and went to nearby hotels and stalls. Then we reached Pritam Hotel, a famous restaurant with a bar inside. The security stopped us ladies, but he could not check little Vanmali. He walked inside and showed books to the bewildered customers, who had never expected in their wildest dreams to receive Bhagwad Gita in a liquor shop.
Then a man came.
"Do you have an Engish Bhagwad Gita?" he asked.
"I don't have it now," Vanmali replied, "But I can get it for you. Please wait."
Then, without saying a word to anyone, he ran all the way to the bookstall on the Dadar station and returned with two English Bhagwad Gitas, only to find there was no one waiting for him.
Dejected he came to me. "Look ma, that man left."
"Why don't you check with the watchman?" I encouraged him.
Vanmali went to the watchman. "I got this English Bhagwad Gita for a person who was standing here. Do you know where he has gone?"
"Bhagwad Gita? Here?" the watchman frowned. "Oh yes," he suddenly remembered. "That man went inside to drink, but he gave money for you. Give me the book."
Hearing about Vanmali Prabhu's preaching spirit, many congregation matajis have told me that they would also encourage their little kids to distribute book. Many ask me what Vanmali's modus operandi is. What can I say?
Your Servant,
Murari Gupta Dasa
