“Just be there – on the frontline” Motto for the Marathon
Often a new book distributor thinks that he or she needs to know many techniques to impress the customer to make the sale. Some basic knowledge of the operation may be needed, but the most important ingredient of success is the willingness to go out. Success and failures are in the hands of Lord, as revealed by this story narrated by Gaur Kirtana Prabhu, a member of the bus party of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty:
Last year in December marathon, we went to an area with lots of textile mills. We distributed sets of Srila Prabhupada's books on credit; the workers simply signed their names and the payment was later deducted from their salary. Each set had Krsna book, Bhagavad-gita, SSR and some medium and small books. We were doing nice when one day we reached this company. "Oh Maharaja ji, welcome, welcome," exclaimed the Chief Security Officer upon seeing us. He was a tall, well-built man in mid-thirties, with a big moustache and triple stars on his uniform.
We showed him our permission letter and our books. He was delighted to see our books and was the first one to sign and take a set. "O Bhairon Singh, keep these books in my office and bring hot tea for the Maharajas." "No, sir we don't take tea."
"What! No tea? No problem, milk is ok?" We said yes and he ordered fruits and milk for us. "Don't worry Maharaja, I will make sure that everyone takes your books," he promised us and set our table right inside of the exit route. We couldn't have asked for a better place.
The siren blew, announcing the end of the shift. We were ready with our sets and credit-book. As soon as the masses arrived we began announcing, but more than all of us put together was the effect in the lone voice of CSO, Mohan Singh (his name as we learnt later).
"O Sohan, O Bhagwat, O Billu come and take these books. Very nice. Keep at home." There was something in the strong booming voice of Mohan Singh that stopped the workers and pulled them to our table. When anyone showed no interest Mohan Singh ridiculed him to such and extent that man could not even stand there. Then Mohan Singh did the unthinkable.
"Oh Bhairon Singh. Lock the gate. Don't let anyone go without a set." The burly moustached Bhairon Singh jumped at the order, locked the gate, and allowed only those who had the sets to leave. The empty-handed workers stood at one corner and the proud owners of sets gleefully displayed their newly acquired treasure before them thus effectively changing mind of many who were planning not to buy.
The pace was frantic. Jagannath Prabhu, Sri Caitanya Prabhu, our driver Sunil Prabhu and I were just ripping open carton after carton. Mahanand Prabhu and Mohan Singh were simultaneously making entries in two credit books and Panchapandava Prabhu was standing on top of the table and shouting at the top of his voice. We did not even bother to pack the books. We just counted the books before the customer and handed him a polythene bag to pack it himself. The workers then made a queue and simply came and said their name and signed in the credit-book.
In two hours, we did 220 sets i.e. 440 maha-big books plus much more. Later Mohan Singh told us his story. In his youth he had left his home to join the ashram of a baba close to his village, but after the death of his father he had to return to take care of his family. "When I saw you," he said, "I remembered my earlier days. I thought, 'I could not lead the renounced order of life, at least let me help these sadhus.' And when I saw your books I was convinced that you are working for the right cause."
All we need to do is go out to distribute. Let this be the motto for this marathon. 'Just be there-on the frontline!'
Your Servent
Murari Gupta Das
