Chowpatti (Mumbai) Book Distribution

Chowpatti (Mumbai) Book Distribution

"I had heard this one before. Not wanting to waste any more time with him, I left hurrying to catch up with the other devotees of the Gaur Nitai Harinam party". Rakshit Shetty Prabhu, a regular member of this fired up group, doing Harinaam Sankirtan all over Mumbai, witnessed this event as his convictions about book distribution became stronger.

"I am sorry, I don't have any change. Actually I want to buy a book but unfortunately I…", these are standard excuses, offered by many reluctant people during book distribution. Rakshit was therefore surprised as half an hour later, this same boy, panting and sweating all over called him from behind.

" Yes, take your time and don't be exited." As I calmed him down, he gained his breath and exclaimed, "Please, give me one copy of all the books you have". "But you said, you didn't have any money ", I probed, surprised at his new found eagerness. "Well, I liked them so much when you showed them to me that I went to my older brother, and got these rupees".

That's not all. After he bought the books, he pleaded to join us on the book distribution. He kept running to people, showing them books, the same way as I did. "This was his first encounter with the Hare Krsnas and he was hooked on to book distribution right away".

Mahad, a small town on the Konkan belt has a few thriving industries. One Birla group company looked prosperous and seemed a good prospect for our bus party. As I initiated the formalities, I was pleasantly surprised at the warmth and courtesy exuding from the company employees, especially the general manager. I was curious as he revealed his orthodox catholic upbringing. I humbly put forward our case; permissions to put up book tables and distribute Vedic books in the company premises. Not only did he agree instantly, he also volunteered all help in our efforts to distribute Bhagavad Gita in their establishment. As if reading my thoughts, he spoke excitedly about why he wants us there, " A few weeks ago, in our company's housing colony, one elderly resident breathed his last. A few minutes before the end, his eldest son, desiring to read Bhagavad Gita to him, asked his neighbors for a copy of the same. They didn't have one. Panicking he ran to each of the sixty houses and surprisingly none had a copy of this most sacred book. Finally as a last ditch effort, he came to me knowing fully well that a Catholic house is the most unlikely place to get a Bhagavad Gita. However to his great elation, I had not one but two copies of 'Bhagavad Gita As it Is'. He grabbed one, ran to his departing father and read Krishna's immortal words and Srila Prabhupada's hope giving words as he left the world. To me Srila Prabhupada's presentation of the Gita is the most lucid and usually I gift it to others. It will be great if all of them can now avail of this facility provided by you".

We were only too glad to comply and not surprisingly, the Book Distribution scores in this company was one of the best we ever had.

Author: admin

Share This Post On